What is the main parameter to be monitored for thyroid function?
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
What diagnostic tool may be needed to distinguish different types of hyperthyroidism?
Radioactive Iodine Uptake (RAIU)
Reference range for TSH-
Hyperthyroidism-
Hypothyroidism-
0.5 - 4.7
Hyper - decreased
Hypo - elevated
Reference range for Total T4-
Hyperthyroidism-
Hypothyroidism-
4.5 - 10.9
Hyper - elevated
Hypo - decreased
Reference range for free T4-
Hyperthyroidism-
Hypothyroidism-
0.8 - 2.7
Hyper - elevated
Hypo - decreased
The following signs and symptoms are characteristic of what type of thyroid condition?
Nervousness, anxiety, heat intolerance, loss of weight and appetite, tachycardia at rest
Hyperthyroidism
True or false?
An RAI scan showing increased RAI uptake would not be considered true hyperthyroidism.
False. Increased RAIU is diagnostic for true hyperthyroidism. Decreased RAIU is indicative of excess thyroid hormone not a consequence of thyroid gland hyperfunction
What is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism?
Grave's disease
Multinodular goiter most commonly effects whom?
Elderly individuals in whom independently function follicles have accumulated over many years and begin to produce more thyroid hormone than is needed.
What are three general causes of decreased RAIU hyperthyroidism?
Subacute thyroiditis, painless thyroiditis, and medications eliciting hyperthyroidism
What is the triphasic progression of subacute thyroiditis? Recovery time?
Hyper --> hypo --> euthyroid
Self-limiting with complete recovery in 2-6 months
Treatment for subacute thyroiditis -
Symptomatic relief using beta blockers (for hyperthyroidistic sxs), aspirin for pain, and prednisone for inflammation