Thyroid disorders

Question 1

Normal changes

Answer 1

moderate atrophy

fibrosis

increasing colloid nodule

Question 2

Signs & symptoms (hypo)

Answer 2

intolerance to cold

extreme fatigue

lethargy (sluggishness)

dry skin

constipation

brittle nails & hair

Late clinical manifestations

• subnormal temp
• bradycardia
• weight gain
• decreased LOC
• thickened skin
• cardiac complications

Question 3

Tx (hypo)

Answer 3

hormone therapy (Synthroid, levothyroxine)

start low and go slow

Question 4

Monitoring (hypo)

Answer 4

regular monitoring to help detect the need for dosage adjustments

labs:
- TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone): labs would show high levels

Question 5

Signs & symptoms (hyperthyroidism/Graves’ disease)

Answer 5

heat intolerance

bulging eyes (exophthalmos)

enlarged thyroid (goiters)

tachycardia

increased systolic BP

weight loss

Question 6

Tx (hyper)

Answer 6

Graves’ disease: antithyroid meds or radioactive iodine (RAI)

Goiter: Sx (surgery)

Question 7

Monitoring (hyperthyroidism)

Answer 7

labs:
- TSH: lab would show a decrease in TSH levels

• fT4 (free Thyroxine/Thyroxin):
  - not bound to a protein
  - labs would show an increase in fT4 levels