Thyroid Flashcards
Between what vertebral level is the thyroid gland found?
C5-T1
What arteries supplt the thyroid gland? Where do they branch from
External carotid artery
What molecule binds with thyroglobulin to produce thyroxine
Iodine
What enzyme is responsible for cleaving t4->t3
Deiodinase type II
Describe the feedback system that stimulates thyroxine release from thyroid and then inhibits it
Thyrotrophin is released from the hypothalamus-> acts on pituitary to release TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) -> act on the thyroid gland to release T3/4.
T3/4 then act on the hypothalamus and pituitary to inhibit their secretions.
Give an example of a factor that increases TRH release? (Thyrotrophin releasing hormone)
Low temperatures
What effect does stress have on thyroxine release?
Stress inhibits TRH release from the hypothalamus therefore wont have thyroxine release from the thyroid.
What are the plasma proteins that t3 and T4 must be bound with to be transported in the plasma?
Thyroxine binding globulin or thyroxine binding prealbumin.
What are some of the physiological effects of thyroxine on the body?
Increases metabolism (incresases mitochondria no.) Loose bowel Lessen periods Increase HR Important in feotal development
What are some of the common causes of hypothyroidism?
Iodine deficiency so unable to synthesis MIT or DIT Hashimotos thyroiditis (autoimmune disease where antibodies attack thyroid peroxidase Deficiency of hypothalamus or pituitary
What is the epidemiology of hypothyroidism?
Other autoimmune conditions already like vitiligo and type 1 diabetes Females Lack of iodine in diet 45-60yrs incidence rises White populations
What are some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Goitre Weight gain Slow pulse rate (bradycardia) Constipation Tired Puffy hands/feet/face Amenorrhoea (missed periods)
What is amenorrhoea?
Missing of periods
What is myoedema?
EMERGENCY
Diminished conscious level with bradycardia and hypertension
Common in the elderly
Blood results return for a patient
TSH 45 (0.4-4.0)
T3 0.03 ( 9.9-22)
FT4. 4. (0.9-2.6)
What type of thyroidism does this patient have?
Hypothyroidism
TSH high trying to stimiulate the thyroid gland to produce more thyroxine which is low
What is the treatment for hypothyroidism?
Thyroid hormone replacement with levothyroxine (T4) taken before breakfast
Start low then titrate up in 25micrograms
Recheck bloods every 4wks then once normal every 12-18months
What should you advise patients to avoid taking at the same time as their thyroxine tablets?
Calcium and iron tablets as they prevent absorption of the thyroxine
What are some of the pathological causes of hyperthyroidism?
Autoimmune where antibodies bind to thyroid gland to stimulate thyroxine production like in graves disease.
Multinodular goitre
Adenomas/ carcinomas
De quervains thyroiditis (acute inflammatory process from virus)
Postpartum thyroiditis (transient after pregnancy)
What are the epidemiological groups for hyperthyroidism?
Middle aged WOMAN (20-40yrs) Iodine deficiency (for toxic multinodular goitre)
What are some of the cardinal symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Weight loss with increased appetite, tremor, heat intolerance, palpitations (can have AF), irregular periods (ammenorrhoea), goitre (leading to difficulty breathing/swallowing), diarrhoea
What are some specific symptoms of graves disease?
Exophthalmos (bulging eyes
Pretibial myxoedema
Blurred vision
Gritty eyes
What are some of the specific symptoms fo de quervains thyroidiitis?
Due to viral infection then symptoms of infection
Fever, malaise, local tenderness around thyroid, transient hypothyroidism before back to normal