Thyroid and parathyroid Flashcards
Thyroid gland
2” butterfly shaped gland in the neck that secretes T3 and T4 and regulates the body’s metabolism
T3
active form of thyroid hormone
T4
bound and unbound hormone; becomes unbound and activates T3 when senses needing more thyroid hor in the body
thyroid hormone patho
hypothalamus releases TRH when it senses more thyroid hor is needed, and TRH triggers the anterior pit to release TSH which triggers the thyroid gland to release thyroxine (T4) which is converted into T3
Negative feedback in the thyroid
T4 levels tell the ant pit when there is enough TSH and T3 levels tell the hypo when there is enough T3
Which mineral is necessary in the synthesis of thyroid hor
iodine
Thyroid dysfxn
- common
- primary thr dx most common - occurs at the gland level
- more likely in women
Goiter
- can occur with hypo or hyperT
- enlarged thy gland with or w/o sx of thy dysfxn
- if no sx, goiter is considered nontoxic
Causes of goiter
- excess pit TSH which causes excess stim of thy
- low iodine levels which causes low thyroid prod (compensate w/ inc TSH)
- goitrogens - fluid/meds that inc levels (LITHIUM)
Hypothyroidism
Insufficient T3 and T4
Primary hypo
thyroid does not secrete T3 and T4 (knows the body needs more but can’t make it)
- inc TSH sec
- Hashimoto’s is most common
Secondary hypo
Pit not sec enough TSH causing dec TSH levels
- dysfxn on brain level
Hashimoto’s
autoimmune destruction of the thyroid; have thy rec antibodies incl antithyroglobulin antibody and anti-thryoperoxidase antibody
Risk fx for hypothyroidism
female, over 50, white, pregnant, hx autoimmune dx like Lupus, family, meds like amio, tx for hyperthy
early CM of hypothy
DEC METABOLIC ACTIVITY - cold intolerance, wt gain, fatigue, men def, dec attn, inc chol, cramps, constipation, inc carotene level (yellow)
- nonspecific, poor dx
Later signs of hypo?
Puffy face, hair loss, brittle nails
Late CM of hypo
dec temp, brady, wt gain, dec LOC, thick skin, cardiomegaly, HLD, anemia, yellow, hoarse varcies, dec kidney filtration (drug tox), MYXEDEMA