Thyroid Flashcards
The thyroid fx
produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) these hormones act as as cellular energy release catalysts and influences the fx and health of every cell in the body
Hypothyroid =
reduced cellular energy
Hyperthyroid =
excessive cellular energy
symptoms of hypothyroid
thick, dry skin hyporeflexia slow thoughts weight gain of about 5-10 lbs constipation menorrhagia easily chilled
symptoms of hyperthyroid
smooth, silky skin hyperreflexia mind racing weight loss of about 10 lbs frequent stools oligomenorrhea heat intolerance
Etiology of Hypothyroid
hashimoto thyroiditis
post-radioactive iodine
meds
Meds causing hypothyroid
lithium
amiodarone
interferone
hashimoto thyroiditis
autoimmune
post-radioactive iodine treatment cause of hypothyroid
Graves disease tx
thyroid cancer tx
Etiology of hyperthyroid
graves disease
toxic adenoma
thyroiditis
meds
Toxic adenoma causing hyperthyroid
metabolically active lesion
thyroiditis causing hyperthyroid
viral
autoimmune
postpartum
transient
Meds causing hyperthyroid
Amiodarone
interferon
Test for thyroid
TSH Free T4 Total T4 Free T3 Total T3 Antiperoxidase
TSH lab
evaluates hypothalmic pituitary thyroid axis function
TSH receptors are found in follicular cells
most common way to determine hypo/hyper thyroid
N: 0.4-4.0
free thyroxine (FT4) lab
this is the unbound, metabolically active potion of thyroxine
N: 10-27
total thyroxine ( Total T4) lab
rarely indicated
total protein bound and free thyroxine
altered in the absence of thyroid disease from pregnancy, hepatitis, estrogen, methadone
N: 4.5-12.0
Free T3 lab
rarely indicated test
unbound metabolically active portion of triidothyronine
4x more active than FT4
only 20% is from the thyroid, the rest from conversion of T4 to T3
N: 3.5- 7.7
Antiperoxidase antibody lab
a test to help detect autoimmune thyroid disease
measures an antibody against peroxidase
N: depends on lab
If low thyroxine (FT4) and high TSH
hypothyroid
Treating hypothyroid with levothyroxine
1.6mcg/kg in adults
1.0mcg/kg in elderly
4.0mcg/kg in children
> 50% in pregnancy (start with initial 33% increase)
Check TSH 8 weeks after therapy started
take with water on empty stomach
2 hours between calcium, iron, aluminum, magnesium
If high thyroxine (FT4) and low TSH
hyperthyroid or hypothyroid that is over treated
Hyperthyroid Tx
start beta blocker for tachy
PTU or methimazole
radioactive iodine with end results of thyroid ablation or hypothyroid
If elevated TSH and normal FT4
subclinical hypothyroid
would recommend tx for TSH > 5 if pt has goiter or pos antibodies
tx if trying to achieve pregnancy