Thyroid gland Flashcards
What is the visible enlargement of the thyroid gland called?
Goiter
What characteristics are seen with goiter?
Usually painless, may affect the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems
True or false goiter is not necessarily malignant?
True
What is the most common worldwide cause of goiter?
Iodine deficiency
What is the most common cause of goiter in the US?
Thyroid nodules, autoimmune disorders
What are benign/ malignant growths within the thyroid?
Thyroid nodules
What are the benign causes of thyroid nodules?
Cysts, thyroiditis, thyroid adenomas
What can thyroid nodules occasionally produce that could lead to hyperthyroidism?
Thyroid hormones?
What condition happens when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormones?
Hypothyroidism
What causes hypothyroidism?
Chronic immune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
Iatrogenic
Trauma
What is the rare and life-threatening advances hypothyroidism called?
Myxedema coma
Which manifestations are seen with myxedema?
Hypotension, respiratory depression, hypothermia, lethargy, comma
Which manifestations are seen with hypothyroidism?
Fatigue, Increased cold sensitivity, constipation, weight gain, bradycardia,
What do would hypothyroid labs look like?
High TSH, low T3 and T4
Thyroid hormone replacement and weight management are treatments for?
Hypothyroidism
Which condition causes excessive levels of thyroid hormones, resulting in a hypermetabolic state (thyrotoxicosis)
Hyperthyroidism
Excessive iodine, graves’ disease, goiter, too much thyroid medication, and thyroid tumors could cause?
Hyperthyroidism
What is thyrotoxicosis?
Thyroid storm, sudden worsening of hyperthyroidism
Medical emergency
Manifestations of hyperthyroidism?
Fever, decreased mental alertness, abdominal pain
Infection or stress or thyroid surgery
Which manifestations are seen in hyperthyroidism?
Tachycardia, hypertension, increased appetite, difficulty sleeping, exophthalmos (protruding eyes)
What do hyperthyroid labs looks like?
Low TSH
High T3 and T4
Radioactive iodine, surgery, meds, care for exophthalmos with eye drops are treatments for?
Hyperthyroidism
- Surgery can cause hypothyroidism
