Thyroid

o Diagnosis & Evaluation

What labs are used to diagnose?

-TSH - used primarily for screening and diagnosing hypothyroid and for monitoring replacement 

therapy in hypothyroid patients

-T4 - Used to monitor thyroid hormone replacement therapy and to screen for thyroid 

dysfunction

-T3 - Useful in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism; can also be used to monitor hormone 

replacement therapy

-TSH low 

-T4 normal

-T3 is high = hyperthyroidism

Thyroid

o Diagnosis & Evaluation

Timeframe for re-check of labs after starting levothyroxine?

Recheck TSH 6-8 weeks after initiating therapy and after any dosage change; Check TSH at least 

once a year after serum TSH is stabilized

Thyroid

o Diagnosis & Evaluation

Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism: Depend on severity.

o Mild: subtle and may go unrecognized

o Moderate to severe:

-Face is pale, puffy, and expressionless.

-Skin cold and dry.

-Hair is brittle and hair loss occurs.

-Slowed Heart rate. 

-Patient may complain of lethargy, fatigue, and

-Temperature is lowered & intolerant to cold.

-Thyroid Enlargement may occur if reduced levels of T3

and T4

Mentation may be impaired.

Thyroid

o Diagnosis & Evaluation

Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

o Elevated Heart rate and strong, and dysrhythmias and angina may develop

o The CNS is stimulated, resulting is nervousness, insomnia, rapid thought flow, and rapid 

speech, hyperreflexia, tremors

o Skeletal muscles may weaken and atrophy

o Metabolic rate is raised, resulting in health and skin that is warm and moist

o Feeling Hot + Heat intolerance

o Appetit is increased but fails to match metabolic rate resulting in weight loss

o All of these signs are referred to as thyrotoxicosis

o Also usually present with exophthalmos - bulging of the eyes

Thyroid

o Treatment

Treatment of thyroid storm?

Characterized by profound hyperthermia (105 degrees F or higher), severe tachycardia, 

restlessness, agitation, and tremor.

Unconsciousness, coma, hypotension, and heart failure may ensure.

These symptoms are produced by excessive levels of thyroid hormone

Thyroid crisis can be life threatening and requires immediate treatment.

o High doses of potassium iodide or strong iodine solution are given to suppress thyroid 

hormone release.

o Methimazole is given to suppress thyroid hormone synthesis

o A beta blocker is given to reduce heart rate

o Additional measures include sedation, cooling, and giving

glucocorticoids and IVF

Thyroid

o Treatment

Result of not treating hypothyroidism during pregnancy?

Can result in permanent neuropsychological deficits in the child - decrease child's IQ

The effect of hypothyroidism is limited largely to the first trimester, a time during which the 

fetus is unable to produce thyroid hormone of its own

Some authorities currently recommend routine screening for hypothyroidism as soon as 

pregnancy is confirmed

Women already taking thyroid hormone replacement will need to increase dose by 50% max 

between weeks 4-8 of gestation and the levels will level out by week 16

Thyroid

o Treatment

Medication to treat symptoms of hyperthyroidism (notice this is treating symptoms and not the 

hyperthyroidism itself)

Methimazole - first line drug of choice (not given to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding)

o Methimazole blocks synthesis of thyroid hormone.

1) Prevents the oxidation of iodine, therefore inhibiting incorporation of iodine into tyrosine.

2) prevents iodinated tyrosine from coupling

Propylthiouracil - preferred treatment for thyroid storm

Beta blockers - help with tachycardia experienced with hyperthyroidism

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