Thyroid Disorders

Endocrine Glands

Collection of glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Adrenal glands, parathyroid glands, pancreas, pineal gland, pituitary gland, ovaries, testes, thymus gland, thyroid gland

Thyroid Gland

(Hormone.org, 2012)

Figure 12-7: Effects of thyroxine.

(Zelman, Tompary, Raymond, Holdaway, Mulvhill, 2010)

Thyroid

TSH T3T4

Disruption of hormones Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism

(NIDDK, 2006)

Hyperthyroidism

One of the most common hyperthyroid disorders Graves’ Disease

More common in women than men

Hyperthyroid Symptoms

ExophthalmosProfuse perspirationHand tremorsGoiterWeight lossNervousness/

excitabilityRapid pulsePolydipsiaDiarrheaInsomnia

Insert Figure 12-9: Thyroid goiter. (Newscom)

(Zelman, Tompary, Raymond, Holdaway, Mulvhill, 2010)

Hypothyroidism

Most common type of hypothyroidism Hashimoto’s Disease

The thyroid doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone

Symptoms: Fatigue, mental depression, feeling cold, weight gain, dry

skin and hair, constipation, menstrual irregularities

Thyroid Cancer

Most people have no symptoms

4 types: Papillary – slow growing – easily treated – rarely fatal Follicular – again slow growing – rarely fatal Medullary – less common – more aggressive Anaplastic – least common – most aggressive

Addison’s Disease

Adrenal Insufficiency Adrenal glands cannot

produce enough cortisol

• OR Pituitary gland fails to

produce enouch adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)

Symptoms: Chronic, worsening

fatigue Muscle weakness Loss of appetite Weight loss Nausea/vomiting Diarrhea Craving for salty foods Low blood glucose Headache

Cushing’s Syndrome

Caused by prolonged exposure of the body’s tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol.

Relatively rare but risk factors: Obesity Type 2 diabetes High blood pressure

Cushing’s Syndrome

Signs & Symptoms: Rounded face Upper body obesity Increased neck fat Bruise easily / poor

healing Weakened bones Fatigue Increased

thirst/urination Irritability / anxiety /

depression

(NIDDK, 2006)

Insert Figure 12-11: A patient with Cushing’s syndrome (A) before and (B) after receiving treatment. (Sharmyn McGraw)

(Zelman, Tompary, Raymond, Holdaway, Mulvhill, 2010)

Treatments

Medication

Radioactive Iodine

Surgery

Prevention??