THYROID AND PARATHYROID Flashcards
What are the signs of Hyperthyroidism
weight loss, sweating, palpitations, heat intolerance, diarrhoea, rapid heart rate. Long term; thyroid toxicosis
What are the signs of Hypothyroidism
weight gain, bradycardia, constipation, lethargy, cold intolerance. Long term; myxoedema coma
What is the primary TSH- thyroid stimulating hormone
problem w thyroid gland; opposite directions
What is the secondary TSH- thyroid stimulating hormone
problem w the hypothalamus; same directions
What is the Causes of Hyperthyroidism
- Graves’ disease (autoimmune disorder; ↑ T3 and T4), toxic multinodular goitre (enlarged or swollen thyroid gland producing lots of T3 and T4) and toxic adenoma (Tumour).
- Biomarker: Presence of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin are antibody specific to Graves’ Disease
Hyperthyroidism: Agreed Principle
No surgery and radioactive iodine while a patient is grossly thyrotoxic (having high levels of T3 and T4) due to risk of precipitating a thyroid ‘storm; extremely high levels of T3 & T4.
Treatment guideline of Hyperthyroidism: Grave’s disease
Use antithyroid drug long term
Treatment guideline of Hyperthyroidism: If there is relapse after anti thyroid drug or surgery not possible
Use radioactive iodine (use when above C/I)
Treatment guideline of Hyperthyroidism: If patient has Grave disease and is unwilling or unable to have radioactive tx
Use thyroidectomy
What to do before surgery and radioactive iodine tx:
Use antithyroid drug for short term to prevent thyrotoxicosis. *Anti-thyroid drugs should be ceased 1 week before tx and recommenced 1 week after tx
Hyperthyroidism: If they have symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as palpitation, anxiety, tremor and sweating
use beta blocker
Hyperthyroidism: If they have severe exophthalmos (protrusion of the eyes) in Graves’ disease
use Corticosteroids (prednisolone
Anti-Thyroid Drug: What is the initial dose and maintenance dose for Propylthiouracil (PTU)
Initially: 200-400mg ddd for 3-4 wks
Maintenance: 25-300mg ddd
Anti-Thyroid Drug: What is the initial dose and maintenance dose for Carbimazole
Initially: 10-45mg ddd for 3-4 wks
Maintenance: 2.5-40mg daily in single or dd
Anti-Thyroid Drug: Monitoring
- Agranulocytosis -
o S & S: sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers
o FBC
Block Replace Regimen in Hyperthyroidism:
Combine……. and …… therapy
Antithyroid and levothyroxine Therapy
Block Replace Regimen in Hyperthyroidism: What treatment of high dose antithyroid drug
(carbimazole 20-40 mg d; PTU 200-400 mg ddd)
Block Replace Regimen in Hyperthyroidism: What treatment of levothyroxine
Begin levothyroxine 100-150 mcg when T4 is in normal range (at about 6 wks) while continuing high dose antithyroid drugs
Block Replace Regimen in Hyperthyroidism: Monitor
o Follow-up every 3 months to confirm biochemical euthyroidism
o T4 4 times a year
o Check thyroid levels
Hyperthyroidism: what are examples of beta blockers used?
Not for long term use
Eg. Propranolol 10-40mg 3-4 times daily; Atenolol 50-100 mg d.
Hyperthyroidism: Radioactive Iodine: C/I
C/I in individual < 15 yo, pregnancy and breastfeeding women
Hyperthyroidism: Radioactive Iodine: How long to taper off antithyroid drugs after radioactive iodine tx
2–4 months