Thyroid disorders, Parathyroid and Ca2+ Flashcards
What type of gland is thr thyroid gland?
Endocrine
What is the relevant anatomy of the thyroid gland?
Spans C5-T1
Two lobes joined by an isthmus - made of follicles which create and stories thyroid hormones.
What hormones are produced by the thyroid gland?
Tri-iodothyronine T3
Thyroxine T4
What is the differences/relationships between T3 and T4 as hormones?
T4 breaks down into T3
T3 is more active but has a shorter half life (1 day compared to 7 days)
This keep hormone levels more stable over time
What is the funcation of the thyroid gland?
Increase metabolic rate
Inc protein synthesis
Inc heart function
Inc heat production
Inc nervous system activity
What is the role of thyroid peroxidase in the production of thyroid hormones?
Iodine enters the colloid as iodide I- and is oxidised to iodine I+ by thyroid peroxidase.
Describe the histology of thyroid gland?
Follicular cells produce thyroid hormone - form rings (follicles) surrounding colloid
Between are parafollicular cells which produce calcitonin.
Also blood vessels
Give a basic description of how thyroid hormones are produced in the thyroid gland.
TSH stimulates hormone production
Follicular cells secrete thyroglobulin into the colloid
Iodide (I-) is secreted into colloid - is converted to iodine (I+) by TPO enzymes
Binds to thyroglobulin tyrosine rings to form iodinated thyroblobin - MIT or DIT,
MIT + DIT = T3 precurose
DIT and DIT = T4 precursor
Endocytosed into follicular cells
Fuses with lysosomes undergoes proteolysis to release T3 and T4 from thyroglobulin backbone
Secretes into blood-stream bound to TBG (this is inactive) - minority may be free T3 and T4 - this is active.
What is the role of thyroglobulin?
Is found in thyroid gland colloid
Secreted by follicular cells
Is a scaffold for thyroid hormone production
What is the role of calcitonin?
Secreted by para-follicular cells (C-cells) in thyroid gland
Regulates calcium metabolism
Decreases serum calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity.
What type of recepotrs doe thyroid hormones act on?
Nuclear receptors
How does iodine deficiency affect the thyroid gland?
Hypothyroidism
Goiter
What is the hypothalamic pituuitary thyroid axis?
Hypo release TRH
Stimulates anterior pituitary to release TSH
Stimulates thyroid to release T£ and T4
Act in tissues
Act in brain to show negative feedback to the hypo and ant pituitary
What is meant by primary hypothyroidism?
What are the most common causes?
THyroid produces inadequate thyroid hormones
UK - autoimmune
Global - Iodine deficiency
Treatment of hyperthyroidism
Lithium/amiodarone
What is secondary hypothyroidism?
What are the most common causes?
Pituitary produced inadequate TSH
Tumours - pituitary adenoma
Surgery to pituitary
Radiotherapy
Sheehans syndrome
Trauma
How can thyroid function tests be used to differentiated between primary, secondary and subclinical thyroid disease?
What are the key symptoms of hypothyroidism?
MOMS SO TIRED
Memory loss
Obesity
Menorrhagia, malar flush, muscle aches
Sore muscles, skin dry
Slowness - physical (constipation, heart rate) and mental
Odema (fluid retention)
Tiredness (fatigue)
Intolerance to cold
Reduced heart rate and reflexes
Energy levels are low
Depression
Others - goiter, brittle nails, coarse hair, hair loss
What is hashimotos thyroiditis?
Autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland
Initially enlarged goiter followed by atrophy
Transient acute phase thyrotoxicosis then hypothyroidism.
What antibodies can be identified in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
Anti-thyroid peroxidase (Anti-TPO)
Anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg)
What are some risk factors for Hashimotos disease?
Female
Autoimmune disease - T1DM, addisons etc
Family history of thyroid or AI
Radiation exposure
Age - more common in older
Medication - lithium and amiodarone.
What condition can hashimotos thyroiditis put you at risk of?
MALT lymphoma
What is the goiter like in Hashimoto’s disease?
Firm and non tender
What is the treatment for hypothyroidism?
1st line = levothyroxine = synthetic T4
Metabolised to T3 in the body, dose is titrated based on TSH levels 4w initially then every 3 months
If suspect 2ndary cause urgent referral to endocrinology is required.
How can TSH levels be used to influence levothyroxine dose in hypothyroidism treatment?
TSH normal - remain same
TSH high - increase dose
TSH low - decrease dose
What are some complications of hypothyroidism?
Myxoedema coma
Dyslipidaemia
Metabolic syndrome
Coronary artery disease
Stroke
Heart failure
Neurologica/cognitive impairement
Adverse maternal/fetal outcomes
What is the key presentation of myxoedema coma?
Lethargy
Bradycardia
Hypothermia
Hyporeflexia
Hypoglycaemia
Seizures +/- coma
What is myxoedema coma?
Rare potentially fatal
Result of chronic untreated hypothyroidism
Normally in older patients who are undiagnosed or poor compliance
Can be triggered: infection, heart failure, stroke
What are the first line investigation for hypothyroidism?
TSH levels
Serum Free Thyroxine T4 levels
Define thyrotoxicosis
The clinical manifestation of excess circulating thyroid hormones
What is the difference between priamry and secondary hyperthyroidism?
Primary - thyroid gland cause
Secondary - pituitary/hypothalamus disorder
What are the most common causes of hyperthyroidism?
GIST
Graves disease
Inflammation (thyroiditis)
Solitary toxic nodule
Toxic multi-nodular goitre