Physiology Block 3 Week 16 15 Endocrine Case: Thyroid Case

Question 1

How do you confirm diagnosis of Graves Disease?

How do you treat it?

Answer 1

Graves Disease is result of an autoimmune response which activates the TSH receptor on thyroid follicle cells resulting in excessive hormone production

Tx:

• give radioactive iodine, taken up by thyroid and melts it down
• can block organification (incorporation of iodine into thyroglobulin for production of thyroid hormone) with medication
• can remove thyroid (last choice)

Question 2

Components of Graves Disease

Answer 2

Thyromegaly and Hyperthyroidism
Ophthalmopathy
Dermopathy

Question 3

Risk Factors for Graves Orbitopathy

Answer 3

Smokers
Familial pre-disposition
Use of radioactive iodine therapy

Question 4

Plummer’s Nails

Answer 4

Nail grow away from the bed

Question 5

Vitiligo

Answer 5

Loss of skin pigmentation thought to be due to autoimmune damage of melanocytes

Question 6

Why do you never give radioiodine in pregnant women?

Answer 6

It would destroy the thyroid gland of the fetus