Diseases of the thyroid gland
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Chapter 1 : Hyperthyroidism.
Causes of hyperthyroidism?
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It is a state where there is ⏫ synthesis of the thyroid hormones : T4 & T3 ➡ ⏫ levels of these hormones in the blood.
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Graves' disease (diffuse toxic goiter)
Plummer disease (multinodular toxic goiter)
Toxic thyroid adenoma (single nodule)
Subacute thyroiditis & Hashimoto thyroiditis. (Transient hyperthyroidism)
- postpartum thyroiditis (transiet)
- Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism.
- Excessive dose of levothyroxine.
Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin TSI (IgG) binds to the TSH receptors on the thyroid cells ➡ triggers the synthesis of excess thyroid hormones.
Goiter : every thyroid cell is hyperfunctioning so it affects ALL parts of the gland >> diffuse. Non tender
Starts with chronic lack of dietary Iodine ➡ low levels of T4 ➡ triggers high levels of TSH ➡ Thyroid hypertrophy & hyperplasia.
The growth is uneven >> nodules.
These nodules become toxic when a genetic mutation happens and causes TSH recepters to be constantly ON. >> ⏫⏫⏫ T4/T3.
That elevation acts as a negative feed back to the pituitary gland to secrete less TSH >> the rest of the thyroid is not functioning >> atrophy .
3. Adenoma : 2% of all cases.
Inflammation of the thyroid gland >> releasing the previously synthesized thyroid hormones ➡ temporary ⏫⏫ in circulating T4/T3.
A hypothyoid phase may follow.
Classically in an infant born to a mother with Graves disease. TSI are IgG and can cross the placenta.
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Clinical manifestations : Symptoms
Heat intolerance & excessive sweating.
Weight loss despite increased appetite.
Proximal muscle weakness.
Graves' : diffusely enlarged. symmetric . Nontender gland. Bruit may be present.
Subacute thyroiditis: exquisitely tender. Diffusely enlarged (viral illness)
Plummer: bump. Irregular . Asymmetric gland.
Toxic adenoma: single nodule with atrophic gland.
Eyes: - Edema of the extraocular muscles ➡ proptosis (hallmark of Graves') - lid lag - lid retraction
- corneal exposure ➡ excessive tearing.
Cardiovascular effects: ⏫ Blood pressure.
- Arrhythmias : Sinus tachycardia - Atrial fibrillation
Skin: Warm & moist - pretibial myxedema (specific to Graves')
Neurologic: Hyperreflexia - fine tremor.
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Radioactive iodine uptake scan.
Useful to differentiate the causes of hyperthyroidisim.
If the uptake is ⏫look for the findings (forms):
Diffuse ( homogeneous) ➡ Graves'
Heterogeneous (multiple nodules of ⏫uptake) ➡ plummer
Focal (one area of ⏫ uptake w/suppression of rest of the gland) ➡ adenoma (hot nodule)
No RAIU findings (⏬⏬uptake) we look at serum thyroglobulin:
⏫ ➡ Thyroiditis /iodine exposure / extraglandular production
⏬ ➡ Exogenous thyroid hormone.
2. Radioactive T3 uptake:
Gives information about the status of TBG
We give resin to the patient + radioactive T3.
Radioactive T3 will bind to resin only when there is no space left on TBG.
SO WHEN THERE IS ⏫T4 ➡ no available seats on TBG ➡ more radioactive T3 will bind to resin ➡ ⏫ radioactive uptake.
The importance of this is to know if there is true hyperthyroidism or increased TBG
High TBG production ➡ low radioactive T3 uptake.
3. Free thyroxine index (FTI) :
Proportional for FREE T4 concentration.
Calculated to correct for the changes in the thyroid binding proteins.
FTI : ( Radioactive T3 uptake × serum total T4) /100
FTI : (patient's radioactive T3 uptake / normal radioactive T3 uptake) × total T4
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🎐Immediate control of adrenergic symptoms:
🎐 Anti-thyroid drugs: Thionamides
1- Inhibits thyroid peroxidase ➡ stops the oxidation of Iodide into Iodine
2- Inhibits the coupling of DIT and MIT to form T3 & T4.
Shares the same mechanism with Methimazole except that PTU works on the peripheral tissue by
- Inhibiting the converting of T4 into T3.
⚠ Watch for side effects⚠
Both can cross the placenta but it is preferred to give:
PTU at the first trimester
Methimazole at the 2nd and 3rd trimester.
Sodium ipodate or iopanoic:
Lowers serum T3 & T4 levels and causes rapid improvement of hyperthyroidism.
Appropriate for acute management of severe hyperthyroidism that's not responding to conventional therapy.
2. RAI ; Radioactive iodine:
Causes destruction of thyroid follicular cells.
Most common for: Graves' disease & multi-nodular goiter.
If the first dose doesn't control the hyperthyroidism within 6 to 12 months then administer another dose.
✔ Elderly patients w/Graves disease.
✔ Patients w/graves disease in whom therapy w/antithyroid drugs fails.
⚠ Hypothyroidism over time in the majority patients. ⚠
Ophthalmopathy can worsen after RAI prevent that by prophylactic therapy w/prednisone in high-risk patients.
Only 1% of patients are treated by it.
Often reserved w/patients that have large goiters ; more common in toxic multinodular goiter.
⚠ permanent hypothyroidism 30%
⚠Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy 1%
⚠Permanent hypoparathyroidism 1%
⚠ watch for hypocalcemia (due to inflammation/removal of the parathyroid glands)
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Immediate control of adrenergic symptoms (of any cause) ➡ (beta-blocker) propanolol
Non-pregnant patients w/Graves' disease: beta blocker + Methimazole Taper B-blocker after 4-8 weeks (once methimazole takes effect) give methimazole for 1-2 years then measure TSI at 12 months : ✔ Absent ➡ discontinue therapy. ✔ Relapse ➡ Resume methimazole for 1 more year or radioactive therapy.
Pregnant patients w/Graves' disease : Endocrinology consult is indicated before starting treatment.
Toxic multinodular goiter or Toxic adenoma: RAI or surgery Methimazole pretherapy for surgery and before RAI in selected patients.
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Rare, life-threatening complication of thyrotoxicosis.
Characterized by an acute exacerbation of the manifestations of hyperthyroidism.
There's usually a precipitating factor: infection, DKA, stress (Surgery, illness, childbirth)
✔ GI symptoms (nausea , vomiting , diarrhea)
Provide supportive therapy : IV fluids , cooling blankets and glucose
Give antithyroid agents (PTU preferred due to its peripheral effects) followed w/iodine.
Dexamethazone (steroids) to impair peripheral generation of T3 from T4 and to provide adrenal support.
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Wow that was a long one XD
I tried to include all the important stuff :)
Kaplan lecture notes 2019