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Thyroid Flashcards

1
Q

What is hyperthyroidism?

A

Hypermetabolic state resulting from excess thyroid hormone

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2
Q

What are the results of Hyperthyroidism?

A

↑ Metabolic rate
Excessive body heat generation
↑ Cardiac activity

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3
Q

What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?

A 
1. More common in Caucasian & Hispanic
populations
2. Females > males
3. Familial tendency
4. Autoimmune Dz 
5. Overexposure to iodine
A. Expectorants, amiodarone, seaweed, contrast dye
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4
Q

What is grave’s dz?

A
  1. Most common cause (80-90% of cases)
  2. Diffuse toxic goiter
  3. Autoimmune Dz
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5
Q

What is toxic adenoma?

A
  1. Single benign hyperfunctioning thyroid tumor resulting from a geneticmutation
  2. “Hot” thyroid nodule
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6
Q

What is Toxic Multinodular Goiter (Plummer’s Dz)?

A

2° to hyperplasticresponse of entire thyroid gland to a stimulus (iodine deficiency)

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7
Q

What is Transient Thyroiditis?

A
  1. Subacute thyroiditis
    A. Can causethyrotoxicosis&hypothyroidism
    B. De Quervain’s thyroiditis
    -Sudden, painful enlargement of thyroidgland w/fever,malaise& muscle aches (viral mediated)
  2. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
    A. Autoimmune disease
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8
Q

What are the rare causes of hyperthyroidism?

A
  1. ↑ Iodine ingestion w/preexisting thyroid hyperplasia or adenoma
  2. Thyroid neoplasm
  3. Amiodarone
  4. Hydatidiform mole
  5. Pituitary neoplasm
    A. Hypersecretes TSH
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9
Q

What are the sxs of hyperthyroidism?

A 
Wt. loss 
↑ Appetite 
Diarrhea
Anxiety
Irritability
Heat intolerance
Palpitations
Tremor
Hyperactivity
↓ Menses (oligomenorrhea,  	  	                       amenorrhea)
Hyperreflexia
Diaphoresis
Hyperactivity
Tachycardia
Systolic HTN
Tremor
Warm, moist skin
Thin, fine hair 
Lid lag
Stare
Muscle weakness
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10
Q

What are the sxs of grave’s dz?

A
  1. Exophthalmos
  2. Lid retraction
  3. Lid lag
  4. Goiter
  5. Painless pretibial swelling (myxedema)
  6. Less common
    A. Diplopia
    B. Blurred vision
    C. Photphobia
    D. Increased lacrimatio
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11
Q

What is thyroid storm/severe thyrotoxicosis?

A
  1. Abrupt, severe exacerbation of thyrotoxicosis

2. Rare potentially fatal complication of hyperthyroidism

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12
Q

What causes thyroid storm/severe thyrotoxicosis?

A
  1. Occurs in patients with untreated (or undiagnosed) or undertreated hyperthyroidism
  2. Precipitating event
    A. Trauma
    B. Infection
    C. Surgery
    D. Parturition
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13
Q

What are the sxs of thyroid storm?

A
  1. High fever
  2. Tachycardia (>140)
  3. CHF in elderly
  4. N/V
  5. Tremor
  6. Mental status changes (psychosis, coma, seizures)
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14
Q

What are the dx studies for hyperthyroidism?

A
  1. ↓ TSH
  2. ↑ Free Thyroxine (Free T4)
    A. Normal in subclinical hyperthyroidism
    -Pituitary adenoma secreting TSH
  3. ↑ Free Triiodothyronine (Free T3)
  4. Anti-TPO Ab (anti-thyroid peroxidase Ab)
    A. ↑ in Graves’ Dz
  5. Anti-TSHR Ab (antithyrotropic receptor Ab)
    A. ↑ in Graves’ Dz
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15
Q

What imaging and further studies are used in hyperthroidism?

A
  1. Thyroid U/S
    A. If thyroid nodule or nodular goiter on exam
  2. 24-hr radioiodine uptake (I-123) & scan
    A. Urine or serum HCG prior to testing
  3. FNA & Bx if nodule confirmed
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16
Q

What are the I-123 Uptake and scan results in Toxic adenoma?

A
  1. Normal gland size
  2. “Hot” nodule
  3. Single focus of uptake
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17
Q

What are the I-123 Uptake and scan results in graves’ disease?

A
  1. Diffuse glandular enlargement

2. ↑ Homogenous I-123 uptake

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18
Q

What are the I-123 Uptake and scan results in a multinodular goiter?

A
  1. Diffuse enlargement w/ nodules

2. Areas of ↑ & ↓ I-123 uptake (heterogenous)

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19
Q

What disorders require a thyroid biopsy?

A

All “cold nodules” require biopsy to R/O thyroid cancer

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20
Q

How does radioactive Iodine treat hyperthyroidism?

A
  1. Destroys gland
  2. Most common treatment in non-pregnant adults, patients w/ large goiters, euthyroid not met after 1 yr of oral Tx, & when malignancy is likely (prior to surgery)
  3. Single oral dose
  4. Can worsen eye sx’s
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21
Q

What are examples and functions of the thionamide drugs?

A
  1. Methimazole/Tapazole (MMI) or Propylthiouracil (PTU)

A. Blocks production of thyroid peroxidase/inhibits new hormone synthesis

22
Q

What is the goal of hyperthyroid treatment?

A
  1. euthyroid in 3-8 wks and cont. for 12 to 24 mo.

2. Useful in preparing patients for surgery or radioactive iodine treatment

23
Q

What is the drug of choice for hyperthyroidism in pregnant and breast feeding women?

A

Propylthiouracil (PTU)

24
Q

What are the benefits of Methimazole/Tapazole (preferred) over PTU?

A

Lower S/E, longer duration of activity

Agranulocytosis - rare complication

25
What is the role of steroidsin the treatment of hyperthyroidism?
1. Inhibits peripheral T4->T3 conversion | 2. Ophthalmopathy responds best to IV methylprednisolone, or high-dose tapered prednisone Tx
26
Why are beta blockers used in hyperthyroidism?
1. Propranolol controls palps, tachy, anxiety, tremors | 2. Initial treatment of choice for Thyroid Storm
27
What are the surgical options for hyperthyroidism?
Thyroidectomy- partial vs total | requires thyroid hormone supplementation
28
What are the indications for thyroid surgery?
1. Children (Graves’) 2. Pregnant women 3. Pts who refuse I-131 therapy 4. Pts w/ severe eye symptoms 5. Requires thyroid hormone supplementation
29
What pt education needs to take place for hyperthyroidism?
1. Refer pt to Ophthalmologist A. Emergency care for eye pain, optic nerve compression, color vision loss 2. Smoking cessation-worsens eye symptoms 3. Medication compliance is important A. Risk of thyroid storm B. Patient education on symptoms/risk
30
How is thyroid storm treated?
1. ICU 2. Treat underlying cause (infection, etc) 3. Tylenol 4. Beta Blocker 5. Tapazole/methimazole A. 80-100 mg PO or PR stat, then 30 mg PR q 8h 6. Inhibit thyroid hormone release A. Lugol’s sol’n: Iodide 10 gtts q 8h OR Sodium iodide 250 mg IV q 6h B. Corticoteroids: Hydrocortisone 100 mg IV Q8h
31
define hypothyroidism
1. Inadequate secretion of thyroid hormone 2. > 90% of cases are primary caused by thyroid gland dysfunction 3. More common in caucasian females 4. ↑ prevalence w/ age
32
What are the causes of primary hypothyroidism?
1. Autoimmune A. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (most common cause > age 8) -Cell- & Ab-mediated destruction of thyroid tissue B. Previous thyroid surgery C. Radioactive iodine therapy D. External radiotherapy E. Meds such as lithium, amiodarone, sulfonamides, interferon, interleukin-2 F. Congenital ≈ 1 per 4000 births
33
What are the causes of secondary hypothyroidism?
1. Pituitary dysfunction 2. Postpartum necrosis 3. Neoplasm
34
What are the sxs of hypothyroidism?
1. Thinning, dry hair 2. Loss of outer 1/3 of brows 3. Skin A. Dry, coarse, cool, edema of eyelids & hands (myxedema) 4. Fatigue 5. Wt. gain 6. ↓ Appetite 7. Poor memory 8. Depression 9. Cold intolerance 10. Dulled expression 11. Macroglossia: uncommon unless longstanding untreated hypothyroid 12. +/- Thyromegaly 13. Bradycardia 14. Slow relaxation phase of DTR’s 15. Possible CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome) 16. Hyperlipidemia 17. Anemia 18. Hyponatremia
35
What is the most common thyroid disorder in the US?
1. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis 2. Affects 1% of the population & 5% over age 65 3. More common in women 7:1
36
What is the etiology and precipitating factors for hypothyroidism?
1. Cause: combo of genetic & environmental factors 2. Precipitating factors: A. Stress B. Pregnancy C. Excess iodine intake D. Radiation exposure
37
What are the early signs of hashimoto's thyroiditis?
1. Tender enlarged thyroid 2. Fever 3. Tachycardia 4. Diaphoresis 5. Palpitations 6. Wt. loss
38
What are the late signs of hashimoto's thyroiditis?
1. +/- Nontender, enlarged thyroid 2. Fatigue 3. Wt. gain 4. Delayed reflexes
39
What are the characteristics of subclinical hypothyroidism?
TSH high, T4 normal
40
What are the characteristics of secondary hypothyroidism?
Inadequate TSH secretion from pituitary
41
What are the characteristics of tertiary hypothyroidism?
Inadequate thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH) from hypothalamus
42
What is the ddx for hypothyroidism?
1. Subclinical 2. Chronic fatigue syndrome 3. Secondary 4. Tertiary
43
What are the diagnostic studies in hypothyroidism?
1. ↑ TSH A. Most sensitive screen (normal 0.50-5.0 mIU/L) 2. ↓ Free T4 A. Normal in subclinical hypothyroidism 3. Thyroid autoantibodies (Anti-thyroid antibodies) A. Anti-TPO Ab (anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies) B. Anti-Tg Ab (anti-thyroglobulin antibodies) C. ↑ in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis but not always 4. Thyroid Scan A. Only for nodule B. Followed by FNA & Bx to R/O cancer
44
How is hypothyroidism treated?
1. Synthetic thyroxine (T4) A. Levothyroxine daily am dose 2. Surgery A. Thyroidectomy if large gland compromises tracheoesophageal function or suspicious for malignancy
45
What is myxedma coma?
1. Severe hypothyroidism leading to ↓ mental status & hypothermia 2. Medical Emergency w/ high mortality rate
46
What causes myxedema coma?
1. Long standing undiagnosed or undertreated hypothyroidism 2. With additional insult A. Infection (pneumonia) B. Systemic disease C. Stroke/CHF/MI D. Medications: Sedatives, anesthetics, opiates, antidepressants) E. Cold exposure F. Trauma G. Surgery I. pregnancy
47
What are the the sxs of myxedema coma?
1. General: Hypothermia ( < 95° F rectal) 2. HEENT: Myxedema facies, macroglossia 3. Neuro: Lethargy or stupor, areflexia 4. Cardiac: Hypotension/shock, bradycardia, low cardiac output 5. Vascular: ↓plasma volume, increased vascular permeability, fluid accumulation 6. Pulmonary: Depressed resp. drive, pleural effusions 7. Renal/GU: Bladder distention, hyponatremia 8. GI: Gastric atony, megacolon, ileus
48
What is the treatment for myxedema coma?
1. ICU 2. Airway-if resp acidosis 3. T4 loading dose A. Levothyroxine 300-500 mcg IV over 15 min, then 100 mcg IV q 24 h 4. Hydrocortisone 100 mg IV bolus, then 50 mg IV q 12 h A. Give until adrenal insuff. is ruled out (normal serum cortisol) 5. Progressive rewarming of pt 6. Pan-culture then empiric Abx 7. IV hydration w/ D5NS 8. +/- Vasopressors
49
What is the tx for hashimoto's thyroiditis?
1. Start thyroid hormone replacement Tx A. Prevents or corrects the hypothyroidism B. Halts thyromegaly
50
What can hashimoto's thyroiditis initially present as? How do you managed this?
1. Can initially present as hyperthyroidism 2. Treatment-until initial hyperthyroid period resolves A. Bed rest & NSAIDs B. Some need steroids to ↓ inflammation & control palpitations C. Beta blocker to ↓ the HR & ↓ tremors
51
What are the indications to treat myxedema-suspected pts before labs come back?
1. Thyroidectomy scar 2. Hx of I131 therapy 3. Hypothyroidism
52
What are the dx studies for myxedema coma?
1. ↑↑ TSH 2. ↓ Free T4 3. CBC w/diff, UC, BC x 2 4. CXR 5. CMP 6. ABG’s 7. Serum cortisol (R/O adrenal insuff.) 8. ↑ CPK 9. Hyperlipidemia

Gen Med: Ednocrine (8 decks)

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