PULSEOctober 28, 2009

Pennsylvania State College of MedicineNicolai Wohns

Hyperthyroidismalso Hypothyroidism

Thyroid Function?

Thyroid: Θυροειδής

Shield: θυρεός

Metabolism

Growth

Development

Hyperthyroidism:

Common symptoms and signs

Heat intolerance

Weight loss (with increased appetite)

Easily fatigued (but with insomnia)

Trembling hands

Hard, irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

Irritable, nervousness

Severe casesShortness of breath

Chest pain

Muscle weakness

Causes?

Grave’s Disease

Grave’s Disease:

Common symptoms and signs

Fatigue

Weight loss with increased appetite

other symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Exophthalmos

Non-pitting edema

Exophthalmos / Proptosis

Non-pitting Edema

Causes?

Pretibial Myxedema

Another autoimmune disorder…

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Hyperthyroidism vs Hypothyroidism

Hashimoto’s?

Hypothyroidism:

Common symptoms and signs

Heat intolerance

Weight loss (with increased appetite)

Easily fatigued (but with insomnia)

Trembling hands

Hard, irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

Irritable, nervousness

Sensitivity to cold

Weight gain

Fatigue

Goiter

Bradycardia, Tachycardia

Depression, mania, panic attacks

Hyperthyroidism

Treatment

Treatment:Grave’s Disease

Antithyroid drugs

Radioiodine:

radioactive iodine-131

Surgery: thyroidecto

my

Treatment:Hashimoto’s Disease

T4 supplementation• synthetic L-T4; standard treatment

T4 and T3 in combination

• both synthetic L-T4 and L-T3 simultaneously

Desiccated Thyroid Extract

• Pig thyroid extract: natural forms of L-T4 and L-T3