Thyroid disorders Flashcards
How are TH regulated (2 ways)
- Negative feedback
- Peripheral conversion of T4 to T3
How does Thyroxine Binding Globulin (TBG) affect TH levels
- Elevated TBG (pregnant women or on estrogen)
- Increased binding of T3 and T4 to TBG –> reduced levels of FT3 and FT4
- Negative feedback where TSH will be released for thyroid gland to secrete more TH to return FT3 and FT4 levels back to normal –> new equilibrium is achieved
Which antibody is used for confirming Grave’s disease?
TRAb
Indications for screening
- Pregnancy and pediatric patients
- Presence of autoimmune diseases (T1DM, cystic fibrosis)
- First-degree relative with history of autoimmune Thyroid disorder
- Psychiatric disorder
- Patients on amiodarone and lithium
- History of head/ neck radiation from malignancies
- Symptoms of hyper-/ hypothyroidism
Possible causes of hypothyroidism
- Iodine deficiency
- Hashimoto disease (positive ATgA and TPO antibodies; women more affected)
- Post-thyroid resection or radioiodine ablative therapy (RIA) for hyperthyroidism
- Central hypothyroidism (anterior pituitary unable to secrete TSH or hypothalamus unable to secrete TRH)
- Drug use (amiodarone and lithium)
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism (10)
- Cold intolerance
- Dry skin
- Fatigue, lethargy, weakness
- Bradycardia
- Slow reflexes
- Coarse hair and skin
- Menstrual disturbances (heavy menstrual bleeding)
- Periorbital swelling
- Goiter
- Weight gain
Clinical manifestation of hypothyroidism
- Hyperlipidemia (elevated LDL, cholesterol, TG)
- Increase atherosclerosis and MI risk
- Elevated Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels
- Increase miscarriage risk
- Impaired fetal development
What will you expect TSH levels to be for primary hypothyroidism?
Elevated
What are the pharmacological agents used for hypothyroidism?
- Levothyroxine (synthetic T4)
- Liothyronine (synthetic T3)
What are the dosings for levothyroxine?
Young healthy adults (<50yo): 1.5µg/kg daily
Adults (50-60yo) no cardiac issues: 50µg daily
Patients with CVD: 25µg daily and titrate up (increase by 25µg/day increments)
Counseling for Levothyroxine administration
- Take 30-60 mins before breakfast or 4 hrs after dinner on an empty stomach (includes other medications)
- Space at least 2 hrs apart from other calcium or iron-containing products/ supplements (ie. antacids)
How long does it take for Levothyroxine effects to be felt? And what to monitor?
2 – 3 months. Monitor TSH levels after 2-3months.
Monitor T4 if patient is experiencing central hypothyroidism instead.
What does normal FT4 and elevated TSH while using Levothyroxine suggest?
Non-compliance
Adverse effects associated with levothyroxine
- Cardiac abnormalities (eg. tachyarrhythmias, angina, MI)
- Risk of fracture
- Hyperthyroidism (weight loss, anxiety, diarrhea, hair loss, difficulty sleeping)
Contraindications of Levothyroxine
- Patients with heart problem (start at 25µg and titrrate upwards)
- Epilepsy
- Hyperthyroidism
Why is Levothyroxine the drug of choice for hypothyroidism?
- Good adverse effect profile
- Low cost
- Lack of antigenicity
- Uniform potency
Scenario that warrants Liothyronine? (3)
- When patient needs to go for diagnostic therapy and has to discontinue Levothyroxine (due to its long half-life). Can substitute with Liothyronine first which can be stopped 1-2 days before the test in the meantime (shorter half-life) before restarting Levothyroxine after the diagnostic test.
- Combination with levothyroxine if TSH is normalized but symptoms of hypothyroidism still persist
- Considered in Myxedema coma (IV Levothyroxine can also be used)