Thyroid problems Flashcards
What is hyperthyroidism/ thyrotoxicosis?
Excess thyroid hormone
What causes hyperthyroidism? (3)
- Graves’ disease (common)
- Toxic multinodular goitre
- Toxic thyroid adenoma
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism? (8)
- Palpitations
- Heat intolerance
- Sweats
- Tremor
- Diarrhoea
- Anxiety
- Weight loss
- Menstrual disturbance
What are the signs of hyperthyroidism? (3)
- Tachycardia
- Thin hair
- Lid retraction (bulging eyes)
How would you investigate hyperthyroidism? (3)
- Thyroid function tests
- Thyroid autoantibodies
- Radioactive iodine isotope uptake scan
What TFT results would you see in primary hyperthyroidism?
Low TSH (suppressed) High T3/4
What TFT results would you see in secondary hyperthyroidism?
High TSH
High T3/4
How would you treat hyperthyroidism? (4)
Beta-blockers (rapid symptom control)
Carbimazole (antithyroid drug)
Radioiodine therapy (destroys thyroid gland)
Thyroidectomy
What is Graves’ disease?
Autoimmune induced excess production of thyroid hormone
What are the clinical presentations of Graves’ disease? (2)
- Graves ophthalmopathy (extraocular muscle swelling, lacrimation, diplopia)
- Thyroid acropachy (clubbing, painful finger + toe swelling)
Emphasis is placed on what test in Graves’ disease?
TSH receptor stimulating antibody (TRAb) will be increased
What is hypothyroidism?
Lack of thyroid hormone
What are the causes of hypothyroidism? (4)
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Iodine deficiency
- Previous radioiodine therapy
- Over-treatment of hyperthyroidism
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism? (5)
- Fatigue/ tiredness/ lethargy
- Cold intolerance
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Myalgia
What are the signs of hypothyroidism? (11)
BRADYCARDIC Bradycardia Reflexes relax slowly Ataxia Dry, thin hair/ skin Yawning/ drowsy/ coma Cold intolerance Ascites Round puffy face Defeated demeanour Immobile Congestive HF
