Thyroid pathology Flashcards
What are the primary hormones produced by the follicular cells of the thyroid?
T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine).
What hormone is secreted by parafollicular C-cells and what is its function?
Calcitonin; it regulates blood calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption.
What are the clinical presentations of hyperthyroidism?
Weight loss, heat intolerance, diarrhea, irritability, tachycardia, and warm, sweaty skin.
What are the clinical presentations of hypothyroidism?
Weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, mental slowness, bradycardia, and dry, cool skin.
What biochemical changes are seen in hyperthyroidism?
High total thyroxine (T4), high free T4, high T3, and low TSH (in primary hyperthyroidism).
What biochemical changes are seen in hypothyroidism?
Low total thyroxine (T4), low free T4, and high TSH (in primary hypothyroidism).
What are the common congenital thyroid diseases?
Thyroglossal duct cyst, abnormal development (aplasia, hypoplasia), ectopic thyroid tissue, and thyroid dyshormonogenesis.
What are the phases of simple goitre?
Hyperplastic stage and colloid involution stage.
What is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in areas with sufficient dietary iodine?
Hashimoto thyroiditis.
What autoimmune disorder is the leading cause of endogenous hyperthyroidism?
Graves’ disease.
What are the three clinical features of Graves’ disease?
Hyperthyroidism, infiltrative ophthalmopathy (exophthalmos), and infiltrative dermopathy (pretibial myxoedema).
What are the common immune-related thyroid disorders?
Hashimoto thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, granulomatous thyroiditis (DeQuervain), and IgG4-related thyroiditis.
What is the clinical significance of multinodular goitre?
It can mimic neoplastic disease, cause mass effects such as compression of the trachea and recurrent laryngeal nerve, and lead to hyperthyroidism.
What are the common symptoms of thyrotoxicosis in Graves’ disease?
Diffuse goitre with possible bruit, ophthalmopathy (exophthalmos), and pretibial myxoedema.
What is the histological appearance of the thyroid in Graves’ disease?
Tall, columnar, and crowded follicular cells forming pseudopapillae, pale and scalloped colloid, and lymphoid infiltrates with reactive follicles.
