Thyroid Disorders

Question 1

What is the Hypothalamic Pituitary Thyroid Axis?

Answer 1

Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) is released from the hypothalamus and to the pituitary gland.

This then signals the realise of TSH from the pituitary gland to the thyroid.

This then causes the thyroid to produce T4 and T3

Question 2

What does T4 and T3 stand for?

Answer 2

T4 - Thyroxine
T3 - Triiodothyronine

Question 3

What effect does the thyroid hormone have on the brain?

Answer 3

Affects brain function and mood

Question 4

What effect does the thyroid hormone have on the eyes?

Answer 4

Affects the function of the nerves and muscles

Question 5

What effect does the thyroid hormone have on the heart?

Answer 5

Affects heart rate and function

Question 6

What effect does the thyroid hormone have on the lungs?

Answer 6

Affects breathing rate

Question 7

What effect does the thyroid hormone have on the liver?

Answer 7

Regulates liver function

Question 8

What effect does the thyroid hormone have on the digestive system?

Answer 8

Affects the rate at which energy is stored and digestion.

Question 9

What effect does the thyroid hormone have on the reproductive system?

Answer 9

Affects functioning of the reproductive system

Question 10

What effect does the thyroid hormone have on the musculoskeletal system?

Answer 10

Affects growth and development

Question 11

What its hypothyroidism?

Answer 11

Underactive thyroid gland
Reduced levels of T3 and T4

Question 12

What causes hypothyroidism?

Answer 12

Hashimotos Thyroiditis
Pituitary tumour
Iodine deficiency
Medications

Question 13

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

Answer 13

Autoimmune condition
Body attacks the thyroid gland

Question 14

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?

Answer 14

Fatigue
Depression
Hair loss
Enlarged thyroid gland
Swollen face
Weight gain
Diminished fertility
Low sexual desire
Slowed heart rate

Question 15

What are the cardiovascular symptoms of hypothyroidism?

Answer 15

Bradycardia and hypotension

Reduces heart rate and increases vasoconstriction.

Question 16

Why does hypothyroidism lower heart rate?

Answer 16

T3&T4 maintain vaso-motortone - when reduced it tips the balance to vasoconstriction

Question 17

What is hyperthyroidism?

Answer 17

Overactive thyroid
Increased levels of T3 and T4

Question 18

What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?

Answer 18

Graves disease
Thyroiditis
Iodine intake
Excess thyroid medication

Question 19

What is Graves Disease?

Answer 19

Autoimmune disease
Thyroid is over stimulated by autoimmune response to produce thyroid hormone

Question 20

What is thyroiditis?

Answer 20

Viral infection can trigger the release of hormones that were stored in the thyroid gland.

Question 21

What are some symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

Answer 21

Anxiety
Depression
Weight loss
Hunger
Shaking hands
Enlarged thyroid gland
Increased heart rate
Arrhythmia
HTN

Question 22

What are the cardiovascular symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

Answer 22

Tachycardia
Hypertension

Question 23

Why does hyperthyroidism cause tachycardia?

Answer 23

Increased sensitivity of beta receptors on the heart increases heart rate

Question 24

Why does hyperthyroidism cause HTN?

Answer 24

Increased contractility - increased stroke volume - increased cardiac output = hypertension