Wk 8. Thyroid Disorders Flashcards
What two hormones does the thyroid produce?
Triiodothyronine T3
Thyroxine T4
- Which thyroid hormone is converted in the periphery?
T4 is converted to T3
- Which thyroid hormone is more potent?
T3
- Describe the steps of thyroid hormone regulation. (TRH, TSH, T3, T4, negative feedback loop)
TRH from hypothalamus TSH from anterior pituitary T3 & T4 from thyroid inhibit TSH from anterior pituitary
- Describe the relationship of TSH levels to T3 and T4 levels.
Low T3 or T4 increases TSH, high T3 or T4 lowers TSH
- Describe common clinical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Goiter; puffy, expressionless face; cold/dry skin; brittle hair; hair loss from scalp & outer half of eyebrows; fatigue; irritability; depression; lack of concentration; cold intolerance; constipation; heavy menses; increased cholesterol
- Persons over 50 years of age may need what change in the initial dose of levothyroxine?
Lowered
- Discuss the effects on the fetus of maternal hypothyroidism in pregnancy. A person treated for hypothyroidism may need to increase the dose of levothyroxine by how much?
Decreased IQ and neuropsychological function of the child. Increase levothyroxine dose by up to 50%.
- Discuss the effects of congenital hypothyroidism in infants.
Mental retardation, large tongue, pot belly, dwarfish stature, derangement of growth - nerves, muscles, bone, teeth
- How long until levothyroxine reaches a plateau?
One month
- Levothyroxine should be given with or without food?
Without food
- Discuss the expected change in TSH when a patient is responding to levothyroxine.
TSH decreases to normal levels
- Describe the signs and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis.
Tachycardia, angina, tremor, nervousness, insomnia, hyperthermia, heat intolerance, sweating, abdominal cramping, weight loss, increased appetite, menstrual irregularities
- Which drugs can cause decreased absorption of levothyroxine? How many hours after the administration of levothyroxine may these drugs be given?
H2-recptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors, bile-acid sequestrants such as colestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid); sucralfate (Carafate); calcium, iron, magnesium, aluminum.
4 hours.
- Why would a nurse administer levothyroxine with caution to a patient on warfarin?
Levothyroxine increases the degradation of Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors and may increase the chance of bleeding. May need to decrease dose of warfarin.