Thyroid Exam Flashcards
What signs on general inspection could indicated hyper/hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism:
Agitated
Anxious
fidgety
Hypothyroidism:
fatigued
What signs do you look for on the hands
Dorsal: Thyroid acropachy (Grave's)
Palmar:
Palmar Erythema - Hyperthyroidism
Sweating - hyperthyroidism
Dry skin - Hypothyroidism
What does a peripheral tremor indicate
Hyperthyroidism
What can pulse indicate
Slow - Hypothyroidism
fast - hyperthyroidism
Irregular rhythm (atrial fibrillation) - Hyperthyroidism
What signs could you look for on the face
Hyperthyroidism:
Sweating
Hypothyroidism:
Dry skin
Loss of outer third eyebrow
What eye signs could you look for
Exophthalmos - Grave’s
Lid retraction (sclera visible above iris) - Hyperthyroidism
What are you observing during the H test
Restriction of eye movements
What are you looking for in the neck
Skin changes - Erythema
Scars - Thyroidectomy
Masses - Goitre/Lymph node
What does drinking water help indicate
Observing movement of masses with swallowing
What do types of movement during tongue protrusion indicate
No movement:
Thyroid gland mass
Lymph node
Upward movement:
Thyroglossal cyst
What does sticking your tongue out during palpation help indicate
Thyroglossal cyst (upwards movement)
What does swallowing during palpation help indicate
Symmetry of lobe elevation - asymmetry may suggest unilateral thyroid mass
What can lymphadenopathy indicate
Thyroid malignancy
What can tracheal deviation indicate
Large goitre
What can retrosternal dullness on percussion indicate
Large goitre extending inferiorly
What can a thyroid bruit on auscultation indicate
Increased vascularity secondary to Grave’s disease
What are you trying to observe during the bicep reflex test
Hyporeflexia which is associated with hypothyroidism
What can pre-tibial myxodema indicate
Grave’s disease
What does proximal myopathy (cross arms test) indicate
Hyperthyroidism
What tests can you do to complete the examination
Blood tests focusing on TSH and T4 levels
