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
How would you investigate hypothyroidism? (2)
- TFT: TSH usually raised
- Thyroid antibodies
How do you treat hypothyroidism? (2)
- Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement)
- Resection of obstructive goitre
What is a thyroid storm? (3)
Life-threatening complication
Severe state of hypermetabolism
What can cause a thyroid storm? (3)
- Stopping treatment
- Infection
- Surgery
What is primary hyperthyroidism?
Thyroid gland problem - produces too much thyroid hormone
What is secondary hyperthyroidism?
Anterior pituitary problem - produces too much TSH
What is primary hypothyroidism?
Thyroid gland problem - not making enough thyroid hormone
What TFT results would you expect to see for primary hypothyroidism? (2)
Raised TSH
Low T3/4
What is secondary hypothyroidism?
Anterior pituitary/ hypothalamus problem - not making enough TSH
What TFT results would you expect to see for secondary hypothyroidism? (2)
Low TSH
Low T3/4
