Thyroid & Anti-thyroid Agents Flashcards
Steps in thyroid hormone biosynthesis
- Iodide Trapping (thyroid gland concentrates plasma iodide by active transport)
- Oxidation of iodide to iodine
- Binding of iodine to tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin to form mono- & di-iodotyrosines (MIT & DIT)
- Coupling of MIT & DIT to form tri- & tetra-iodothyronines (T3 & T4)
- Endocytosis of thyroglobulin by follicular cells
- Release of T3 & T4
Synthetic preparations of thyroid hormones
- Synthetic L-Thyroxine (T4)
2. Synthetic Liothyronine (T3)
Uses of synthetic thyroid hormones (2)
- Replacement therapy for Hypothyroidism (due to dyshormonogenesis, cretinism, hypothalamo-pituitary dysfunction, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, post-irradiation myxoedema, non-toxic goitre)
- Suppress TSH release eg to treat TSH dependent thyroid cancers
- T4 is preferred
- T3 is reserved for treatment of myxoedemic coma
Toxicity of synthetic thyroid hormones (3)
- Children - insomnia, restlessness, accelerated growth, bone maturation
- Adults - increased nervousness, heat intolerance, palpitations, tachycardia, weight loss, monitor for signs & symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia/angina pectoris
- Drug interaction - interferes with absorption of thyroid hormones - Al-containing antacids, Sucralfate, Cholestyramine, Fe-containing supplements
Classes of anti-thyroid drugs & examples
- Ionic inhibitors (perchlorate ClO4, thiocyanate SCN, pertechnetate TcO4)
- Thioamides (Propylthiouracil, Carbimazole)
- Iodides (Lugol’s Iodine)
- Radioiodine (131 I)
Mechanism of action of ionic inhibitors
Inhibits trapping - competes with iodide for active transport into thyroid cells
Toxicity of ionic inhibitors (4)
- Fever
- Aplastic anemia
- Rashes
- Liver & kidney toxicity
Mechanism of action of thioamides
Antagonizes steps 2, 3, 4 - oxidation of iodide to iodine, binding of iodine to tyrosine to form MIT/DIT, coupling of MIT/DIT to form T3/T4 - by blocking activity of thyroperoxidase
Uses of thioamides (3)
- Definitive treatment of thyrotoxicosis (1-2 years)
- Pre-operatively
- Interim while waiting for the effects of 131 I
PTU vs carbimazole
Carbimazole is less strongly bound to plasma proteins - crosses the placenta & secreted in milk more readily
Toxicity of thioamides (7)
- Arthralgia
- Bone marrow suppression - leukopenia, agranulocytosis
- Cholestatic jaundice
- Drug rash
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Fever
- Hypothyroidism - may have compensatory glandular enlargement
Mechanism of action of iodides
- Suppresses iodination of tyrosine & coupling of MIT, DIT - inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis
- Inhibits release of T3 & T4
- Decreases size & vascularity of the gland (1-2 weeks)
Uses of iodides (3)
- Prophylaxis against endemic goitre (supply iodide that is deficient)
- Treat thyroid storm (inhibit hormone release)
- Pre-op preparation to decrease size & vascularity of gland
Toxicity of iodides (2)
- “Iodism” from chronic overuse - bleeding disorders, conjunctivitis, fever, inflamed salivary glands, metallic taste, mucous membrane ulcerations, rash, rhinorrhea
- Fetal goitre - if taken longer than necessary during pregnancy - iodides can enter fetal circulation via placenta
- Severe exacerbation of thyrotoxicosis when gland escapes from iodide block (withdrawal of iodides)
Mechanism of action of radioiodine
- Taken up and concentrated in thyroid follicular cells
- Emits gamma & beta rays
- Beta particles emit rays with short path length that irradiate thyroid tissue (1-2mm), destroying follicular cells without damaging surrounding tissue
- slow onset (1-2m)
- only for >35 yo