Thyroid: Hyperthyroidism Flashcards
Most common cause of thyrotoxicosis
Graves’ disease (60-80%)
Concordance for Graves’ disease in twins
20-30% in monozygotic twins
<5% in dizygotic twins
Is smoking a risk factor for Graves’ disease?
Smoking is a minor risk factor for Graves’ disease and a major risk factor for the development of ophthalmopathy.
What is the pathogenesis of Graves’ disease?
The hyperthyroidism of Graves’ disease is caused by thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) that are synthesized in the thyroid gland, as well as in bone marrow and lymph nodes.
What is the term that refers to thyrotoxicosis which occurs primarily in the elderly and which presents mainly as fatigue and weight loss.
Apathetic thyrotoxicosis
What are the most frequent symptoms of thyrotoxicosis?
Hyperactivity, irritability, dysphoria
What are the most frequent signs of thyrotoxicosis?
Tachycardia; atrial fibrillation in the elderly
Characteristic muscle weakness in thyrotoxicosis
Proximal myopathy
Most common cardiovascular manifestation of thyrotoxicosis
Sinus tachycardia
In thyrotoxicosis, where is the thrill or bruit best detected?
Inferolateral margins of the thyroid lobes
How is proptosis best detected?
By visualization of the sclera between the lower border of the iris and the lower eyelid, with the eyes in the primary position
Most serious manifestation of Graves’ ophthalmopathy
Compression of the optic nerve at the apex of the orbit, leading to papilledema; peripheral field defects; and if left untreated, permanent loss of vision
“NO SPECS” scoring system for ophthalmopathy
0 = No signs or symptoms 1 = Only signs (lid retraction or lag), no symptoms 2 = Soft tissue involvement (periorbital edema) 3 = Proptosis (>22 mm) 4 = Extraocular muscle involvement (diplopia) 5 = Corneal involvement 6 = Sight loss
Scoring system more preferable than NO SPECS for monitoring and treating Graves’ orbitopathy
European Group On Graves’ Orbitopathy (EUGOGO)
Most frequent site of thyroid dermopathy
Anterior and lateral aspects of the lower leg (“pretibial myxedema”)
Typical lesion of thyroid dermopathy
Noninflamed, indurated plaque with a deep pink or purple color and an “orange skin” appearance
Term used to denote a form of clubbing found in <1% of patients with Graves’ disease
Thyroid acropachy
TRUE OR FALSE: Thyroid acropachy is strongly associated with thyroid dermopathy, which is almost always develops with moderate or severe ophthalmopathy.
TRUE. An alternative cause of clubbing should be sought in a Graves’ patient without coincident skin and orbital involvement.
TRUE OR FALSE: A normal TSH doesn’t exclude Graves’ disease as a cause of diffuse goiter.
FALSE. A normal TSH excludes Graves’ disease as a cause of diffuse goiter.
What is the typical clinical course of Graves’ ophthalmopathy?
Ophthalmopathy typically worsens over the initial 3-6 months, followed by a plateau phase over the next 12-18 months, and then some spontaneous improvement, particularly in the soft tissue changes.
Mechanism of action of antithyroid drugs
1) Inhibit the function of TPO, reducing oxidation and organification of iodide
2) Also reduce thyroid antibody levels by mechanisms that remain unclear
Additional mechanism of action of propylthiouracil aside from TPO inhibition
Inhibits deiodination of T4 to T3
Half-life of antithyroid drugs
Propylthiouracil - 90 mins
Methimazole - 6 hours
3 indications for use of propylthiouracil (limited due to hepatotoxicity)
1) first trimester of pregnancy
2) thyroid storm
3) minor adverse reactions to methimazole
When to check TFTs after starting treatment for hyperthyroidism
4-6 weeks after starting treatment (most do not achieve euthyroidism until 6-8 weeks after treatment is initiated)