Thyroid Disorders

Study Notes

Types of Thyroid Disorders:

Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid gland, resulting in inadequate thyroid hormone production.
- Causes: iodine deficiency, thyroiditis, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery, and certain medications.
- Symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, and cold intolerance.
Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid gland, resulting in excessive thyroid hormone production.
- Causes: Graves' disease, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, and excessive iodine intake.
- Symptoms: weight loss, anxiety, heat intolerance, rapid heartbeat, and tremors.
Thyroid Nodules: Abnormal growths on the thyroid gland, which can be benign or cancerous.
- Causes: iodine deficiency, radiation exposure, and genetic mutations.
- Symptoms: neck swelling, pain, and difficulty swallowing.

Triiodothyronine (T3): The most active form of thyroid hormone, responsible for regulating metabolism.
Thyroxine (T4): The inactive form of thyroid hormone, converted to T3 in the liver and kidneys.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Produced by the pituitary gland, regulates thyroid hormone production.

Diagnosis: Blood tests to measure TSH, T3, and T4 levels, as well as imaging tests such as ultrasound and radioiodine scans.
Treatment: Medication to replace or suppress thyroid hormone production, surgery to remove thyroid nodules or cancerous tissue, and radioactive iodine therapy to destroy thyroid tissue.

Thyroid Eye Disease: Inflammation and swelling of the tissues around the eyes, common in Graves' disease.
Thyroid Crisis: A life-threatening condition resulting from untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Cancer: Malignant growths on the thyroid gland, which can spread to other parts of the body.

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive, resulting in inadequate thyroid hormone production.
Causes of hypothyroidism include iodine deficiency, thyroiditis, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery, and certain medications.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, and cold intolerance.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland is overactive, resulting in excessive thyroid hormone production.
Causes of hyperthyroidism include Graves' disease, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, and excessive iodine intake.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, anxiety, heat intolerance, rapid heartbeat, and tremors.

Triiodothyronine (T3) is the most active form of thyroid hormone, responsible for regulating metabolism.
Thyroxine (T4) is the inactive form of thyroid hormone, converted to T3 in the liver and kidneys.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland, regulating thyroid hormone production.

Diagnosis of thyroid disorders involves blood tests to measure TSH, T3, and T4 levels, as well as imaging tests such as ultrasound and radioiodine scans.
Treatment options for thyroid disorders include medication to replace or suppress thyroid hormone production, surgery to remove thyroid nodules or cancerous tissue, and radioactive iodine therapy to destroy thyroid tissue.

Thyroid eye disease is a complication of thyroid disorders, characterized by inflammation and swelling of the tissues around the eyes.
Thyroid crisis is a life-threatening condition resulting from untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid cancer is a malignant growth on the thyroid gland, which can spread to other parts of the body.

Family history is a risk factor for thyroid disorders, with a genetic predisposition increasing the likelihood of developing a thyroid disorder.
Age is a risk factor, with thyroid disorders more common in older adults.
Gender is a risk factor, with women more likely to develop thyroid disorders than men.
Iodine deficiency is a risk factor, particularly in certain regions where iodine is lacking in the diet.