Thyroid disorders Flashcards
What is required for production of T3 and T4?
iodine
How is T3 made?
usually from the breakdown of T4; <20% directly produced by the thyroid gland
Does T3 or T4 have longer half-life?
T4
Is T3 or T4 more potent?
T3
What form of thyroid hormone is active and monitored in patients with thyroid disorders?
free T4
What can happen if hypothyroidism is left untreated or decompensates?
myxedema coma: life-threatening emergency characterized by poor circulation, hypothermia, hypometabolism
How is myxedema coma treated?
IV levothyroxine
What are s/sx of hypothyroidism?
- cold intolerance/sensitivity
- dry skin
- fatigue
- weakness/myalgias
- muscle cramps
- voice changes
- depression
- bradycardia
- constipation
- weight gain
- coarse hair/ hair loss
- menorrhagia (heavy period)
- memory/mental impairment
- goiter
What key drugs can cause hypothyroidism?
ITALC:
1. Interferons
2. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sunitinib)
3. Amiodarone
4. Lithium
5. Carbamazepine
What other drugs can cause hypothyroidism?
- oxcarbazepine
- eslicarbazepine
- phenytoin
What conditions can cause hypothyroidism?
- Hashimoto’s
- iodine deficiency
- pituitary failure
- congenital hypothyroidism
- surgical removal of thyroid gland
How is hypothyroidism diagnosed?
Low free T4 and high TSH
What is a normal free T4?
0.9-2.3 ng/dL
What is a normal TSH?
0.3-3 mIU/L
How often should TSH and symptoms be monitored?
every 4-6 weeks until levels are normal
What can happen if too much thyroid hormone replacement is given?
- A.fib
- fractures
What are boxed warnings for thyroid hormone replacements?
- ineffective and potentially toxic when used for obesity or weight reduction, especially in euthyroid patients
- high doses can cause serious, life-threatening effects particularly when used with anorectic drugs
What are contraindications for using thyroid replacement?
uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
What are warnings with thyroid replacement hormones?
- decrease the dose in CV disease (chronic hypothyroidism predisposes to CAD)
- decreases bone mineral density which can lead to osteoporosis
What are SEs with thyroid replacement hormones?
- hyperthyroid symptoms (dose too high)
- increased HR
- palpitations
- sweating
- weight loss
- arrhythmias
- irritability
- may need dose reduction with age (highly protein bound)
What are the monitoring parameters with thyroid replacement hormones?
TSH levels and clinical symptoms:
1. every 4-6 weeks until levels are normal
2. then every 4-6 months
3. annually
How should PO levothyroxine be taken?
with water at least 60 minutes before breakfast or at bedtime (at least 3 hours after the last meal)
What is the IV:PO ratio for levothyroxine?
0.75:1
What is the DOC for hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine (T4)
Levothyroxine (T4)
SYNTHROID
LEVOXYL
UNITHROID
What is a full replacement dose of levothyroxine?
1.6 mcg/kg/day (of IBW)
Thyroid, Desiccated USP (T3 and T4)
Armour Thyroid
What is the starting dose of levothyroxine in those with known CAD?
12.5-25 mcg/day
Liothyronine (T3)
Cytomel
What drugs need to be separated from levothyroxine by 4 hours so they don’t reduce absorption of T4?
- antacids
- Fe, Ca, Al, Mg
- multivitamins (ADEK, folate)
- cholestyramine
- orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
- sevelamer
- sucralfate
What drugs need to be separated from levothyroxine by 3 hours so they don’t reduce absorption of T4?
sodium polystyrene sulfonate (veltassa)
What drugs need to be separated from levothyroxine by 2 hours so they don’t reduce absorption of T4?
Lanthanum
What drugs decrease thyroid hormone levels?
- estrogen
- SSRIs
- hepatic inducers
What drugs decrease effectiveness of T4?
- beta-blockers
- amiodarone
- PTU propylthiouracil
How does thyroid hormone replacement affect warfarin?
increase INR
What colors are levothyroxine tablets?
Orangutans Will Vomit On You Right Before They Become Large Proud Giants
Orange-25mcg
White-50mcg
Violet-75mcg
Olive-88mcg
Yellow 100mcg
Rose-112 mcg
Brown-125 mcg
Turquoise-137mcg
Blue- 150mcg
Lilac-175 mcg
Pink-200mcg
Green-300mcg
What are key counseling point with levothyroxine?
- take medication at same time on empty stomach with water (60min before breakfast or at bedtime)
- drug interactions
- if your pills looks different, speak to the pharmacist
- requires annual bloodwork
- may need dosage increase if pregnant or breastfeeding
What is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism?
Grave’s disease- antibodies stimulate thyroid gland
What medications can cause hyperthyroidism?
1.iodine
2. amiodarone
3. interferons
4. radiographic contrast media
What are treatments for hyperthyroidism?
- PTU/methimazole
- radioactive iodine (destroy thyroid)
- surgery
What medication can be used to control tremor, tachycardia, and palpitations associated with hyperthyroidism?
beta-blocker
What are s/sx of hyperthyroidism?
- heat intolerance/sweating
- weight loss
- insomnia
- tremor
- agitation/nervousness/anxiety/ irritability
- palpitations/tachycardia
- fatigue/muscle weakness
- exophthalmos, diplopia
- frequent bowel movements/ diarrhea
- light/absent menstrual period
- goiter
How long should treatment for hyperthyroidism last?
1-3 months at high doses to control symptoms, then reduce dose to prevent hypothyroidism
What are boxed warnings with PTU?
- severe liver injury and acute liver failure
- PTU preferred in 1st trimester of pregnancy
What are warnings with PTU and methimazole?
- HEPATOTOXICITY
- bone marrow suppression (AGRANULOCYTOSIS)
- DRUG-INDUCED LUPUS ERYTHEMATOUS
What are SEs with PTU and methimazole?
- GI UPSET
- headache
- rash (exfoliative dermatitis, pruritus)
- fever
- constipation
- loss of taste/ taste perversion
- lymphadenopathy
- bleeding
What should be monitored with PTU and methimazole?
- T3 and FT4 every 4-6 weeks until euthyroid
- TSH
- CBC
- LFTs
- PT
- signs of liver toxicity (abdominal pain, yellow skin/eyes, dark urine, nausea
- infection
What are counseling points with PTU and methimazole?
take with food to reduce GI upset
What is the DOC for hyperthyroidism?
methimazole
What is the DOC for thyroid storm?
PTU
What agent is preferred is the 2nd/3rd trimester?
methimazole, decreased liver toxicity
What is the MOA of thionamides?
inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones by blocking the oxidation of iodine in the thyroid gland; PTU has an additional MOA inhibiting peripheral conversion of T4 to T3
What agents are thionamides?
- methimazole
- Propylthiouracil (PTU)
What is the MOA of iodides?
temporarily inhibit secretion of thyroid hormones; reduces T4 and T3 for a few weeks
What agent blocks the accumulation of radioactive iodine to prevent thyroid cancer and should be used after radiation exposure?
potassium iodide
What are s/sx of thyroid storm?
- fever >103
- tachycardia
- tachypnea
- dehydration
- profuse sweating
- agitation
- delirium
- psychosis
- coma
What is the treatment algorithm for thyroid storm?
- antithyroid drug (PTU preferred)
- saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) or Lugol’s solution (KI)
- Propranolol
- Dexamethasone
- acetaminophen/ cooling blanket
give antithyroid drug ≥ 1hour before KI to block the synthesis of thyroid hormones
How much should levothyroxine dose be increased during pregnancy?
30-50%