Primary Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism Flashcards
What is primary hypothyroidism?
What is it?
The clinical and biochemical syndrome resulting from decreased thyroid hormone production. Biochemically, primary hypothyroidism is defined as TSH concentrations above reference range and free T4 and/or T3 levels below reference range.
Hypothyroidism Disease definitions
- Overt Hypothyroidism
a. TSH levels:
b. Free T4 (FT4) levels:
c. symptoms: - Subclinical hypothyroidism
a. TSH levels:
b. FT4 levels:
c. symptoms:
Disease definitions
- Overt Hypothyroidism
a. TSH levels: high
b. Free T4 (FT4) levels: low
c. symptoms: may or may not experience symptoms - Subclinical hypothyroidism
a. TSH levels: high (majority of pts. have btw ULN and 10 mIU/L). if >10, more chance to develop into overt hypothyroidism and having CV events and HF)
b. FT4 levels: normal
c. symptoms: may or may not experience symptoms.
epidiomiology of hypothyroidism
Epidemiology
- occurs in 1.5%-2% of women and 0.2% of men.
- incidence increases with age
clinical representation of hypothyroidism
Clinical Representations
Signs and symptoms
- decreased metabolism
- increase cholesterol
- decreased cardiac output and heart rate
- decrease GI motility/ appetite
- mental slowing, brain fog, slow speech
- decreased muscle tone
- cold intolerance. dry and cold skin
- course hair and skin
- increased weight
with hypothyroidism, what do you treat ?
who to consider treatment for?
Who to Treat?
Treat all:
- Overt Hypothyroidism
- Subclinical if TSH >10.0 mIU/L
- pregnant/ planning pregnancy if TSH >2.5 mIU/L AND (+) TPOAb
Consider treatment
- subclinical if TSH 4.5-10 mIU AND: s/sx ,(+) TPOAb, CAD/CHF or risk factors
- pregnant/planning pregnancy AND not hypothyroid AND
a. TSH 2.5-ULN in 1st trimester/ planning
b. TSH 3.0-ULN in 2nd trimester
hypothyroidism Treatment Goals
Special populations treatment goals
a. Pregnant women:
b. Elderly
Treatment Goals
- biochemically euthyroid
a.TSH anywhere in normal range (0.45-4.12 mIU/L if test does not specify)
ULN increaasewith age
b. t4 and t3 clinical criteria not enough by themselves to guarantee euthyroid - Symptomatic improvement
- avoid oversupplementation (especially in elderly)
Special populations
Pregnant women:
- goal anywhere in trimester specific normal ranges
a. 0.2-2.5 in first trimester
b. 0.3-3.0 in 2nd and 3rd trimesters
c. follow up frequent 1st to 2nd trimester, less frequent 2nd to third trimester
Elderly
1.lower doses usually needed to hit goal
2. avoid over supplementation.
3. reasonable to raise ULN of tarot to 6 mIU/L ???
3.lower incidence of mortality with mildly elevated TSH in subjects subjects aged 85+
3.
hypothyroidism Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
ULN for
general population:
pregnant women:
elderly:
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
- gold standard and guides decision to treat and therapy adjustments
upper limits of normal
a. 4.12 mIU/L (AACE/ATA)
b. 4.5-5.0 mIU/L (usually lab reference)
c. 2.5 mIU/L (1st trimester of pregnancy)
c. 3.0 mIU/L (2nd and third trimester of pregnancy
d. elderly: 6??
hypothyroidism Pharmacologic Treatment Options in general
their names
content
and clinical pearls
Pharmacologic Treatment Options
- Desiccated Thyroid (Armour Thyroid, Nature-throid, and Westhroid
a. Content: Desiccated pork thyroid gland
b. comments: 4:1 T4:T3 ratio, inexpensive, porcine origin - Levothyroxine (synthroid)
content: synthetic T4
comments: DRUG OF CHOICE, stable, predictable potency, 7 day half life, so daily dosing, available in wide variety of strengths (in IV and PO) - Liothyronine
content: synthetic T3
comments: fast onset of action, short half life, so BID dosing, AE from supernormal T3, can cause cordiotoxicity??. Life threatening hypothyroidism in hospital.
Levothyroxine Dosing
Initial Dosing:
1. otherwise healthy <65y.o:
- otherwise healthy >/= 65 y.o:
- known CAD:
- subclinical hypothyroidism:
dosing changes
Dosing
Initial Dosing: BASED ON IBW, NOT ACTUAL
- otherwise healthy <65y.o: 1.6 mcg/kg/day
- otherwise healthy >/= 65 y.o: 50 mcg/ day
- known CAD: 12.5-25 mcg/ day
- subclinical hypothyroidism: unless compelling argument, avoid. (FOR PURPOSES OF THIS CLASS ONLY)
dosing changes
- Pregnancy: 30% increase dose suggested; changes as soon as 5 weeks gestation.
- severely obese (BMI>40 kg/m^2) may require higher replacement doses
- Autoimmune gastritis, H. Pylori gastritis may require higher replacement doses due to increased acid production, drug break down, and decreased bioavailability.
Hypothyroidism Treatment TimeLine
what to do if switching between LT4 preparations
Treatment TimeLine
- start with appropriate initial LT4 dose for situation
- check TSH in 4-6 weeks
a. if TSH not WNL (0.5- 3.5-4 mIU/L): titrate dose up or down by 12.5-25 mcg/day. recheck in 4-6 weeks
b. if TSH is WNL (0.5- 3.5-4 mIU/L): check TSH again in 4-6 months, then at least yearly or if reason to suspect absorption or metabolism has changed (new drug added, chronic disease, weight change, pregnancy)
Switching Between LT4 Preperations
- obtain new labs after any switch
- avoid switching if possible
Levothyroxine (T4)
brand names:
Class:
Indication:
Mechanism of Action:
Effects of mechanism of Action:
Adverse Effects:
Absolute Contraindications:–
Pregnancy:
Warning/ Precautions: –
Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs):
Monitoring Parameters:
Pearls:
includes counseling: how to take it?
timing:
Levothyroxine (T4)
brand names: Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint, Unithroid, Mylan (generic)
Class: Thyroid agent
Indication: Replacement or supplemental therapy in congenital or acquired hypoparathyroidism of any etiology. Preferred thyroid preparation.
Mechanism of Action: Levothyroxine )T4) is a synthetic form of thyroxine, an endogenous hormone secreted by the thyroid. T4 is converted to active metabolite T3. thyroid hormones T4 and T3 bind to thyroid receptor proteins in the cell nucleus and exert metabolic effects through DNA transcription and protein synthesis.
Effects of mechanism of Action: involved in normal metabolism, growth, and development, promotes gluconeogenesis, increases utilization and mobilization of glycogen stores, stimulates protein synthesis, increase basic metabolic rate (BMR)
Adverse Effects: Primarily those of hyperthyroidism, anxiety, diarrhea, insomnia, Transient alopecia, allergies (excipients), iatrogenic thyrotoxicosis ( increased bone turnover/ loss, A. fib, caution in cardiac disease)
Absolute Contraindications:–
Pregnancy:can be used
Warning/ Precautions: –
Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs): metal cations, bile acid sequestrants, sulcrafate, SPS, PPI,/H2RA/orlistat, estrogens/androgens/raloxifene, sertraline/phenobarbital/phenytoin/quetiapine, tyrosine kinase inhibitors , lithium, amiodarone
Monitoring Parameters:
1. TSH:check in 4-6 weeks after initiation, dose change, or switching preparations to check response
Pearls:
- drug of choice for primary hypothyroidism
- decreased risk of cardiac and metabolic diseases
- counseling:
a. take with H2O only and no other meds
b. timing: take 60 minutes before breakfast OR at least 3 hours after evening meal
c. remain consistent
d. if miss a dose, take as soon as remember. if remember next day, patient can actually take 2 doses ??
e. this is a lifelong therapy
f. takes up to 6 weeks to see effect
what is hyperthyroidism?
What is it?
Overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.
Biochemically, primary hyperthyroidism is defined as TSH concentrations below reference range and free T4 and/or T3 levels above reference range.
epidemiology of hyperthyroididm
Epidemiology
- incidence increases with age
- more prevalent in females than males.
clinical representation of hyperthyroidism
Clinical representation
signs and symptoms increased metabolism decreased cholesterol increased cardiac output an heart rate increased GI motility and appetitie CNS symptoms like lack of concentration, poor memory, depression, anxiety, nervousness, irritability increased muscle tone heat intolerance skin/ hair thinning weightloss exophthalmos
Main treatment options for hyperthyroidism
Treatment Options
Any one of the three treatment modalities is equally acceptable. pt-specific factors or desires will impact intimate treatment choice
- Thioamides (Methimazole and Propylthiouriicil)
- Radioactive Iodine (I-131)
- Surgery
Beta Blockade (Propanolol)