Thyroid Gland 673e65

Thyroid Gland

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found in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage The bridge between the two lobes of the thyroid is the Isthmus It’s a butterfly- shape organ, lobus dexter, right lobe, lobus sinister, left lobe Composed of Follicular and Parafollicular cells Follicular Cells produce the Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine(T3) Parafollicular Cells produce and secrete Thyrocalcitonin, w/c helps regulate serum calcium level in the blood in response to Hypercalcemia and serum Phosphorous levels by reducing bone resorption

Up to 80% of the T4 is converted to T3 by peripheral organs such as the liver, kidney and spleen.  T3 is several times more powerful than T4, which is largely a pro hormone, four or even ten times more active.  Hormonal output from the thyroid is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)produced by the anterior pituitary, which itself is regulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH) produced by the hypothalamus. 

The most common problems of the thyroid gland  Overactive thyroid gland, Hyperthyroidism  Underactive thyroid gland Hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism  Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, is the overproduction of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, and is most commonly caused by the development of Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are produced which stimulate the thyroid to secrete excessive quantities of thyroid hormones.  The disease can result in the formation of a toxic goiter as a result of thyroid growth in response to a lack of negative mechanisms.

Typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism  thyroid goiter  protruding eyes (exopthalmos)  palpitations  excess sweating  diarrhea  weight loss  muscle weakness  unusual sensitivity to heat.  appetite is often increased.

Hypothyroidism  Hypothyroidism is the underproduction of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.  Autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, iodine deficiency or the removal of the thyroid following surgery to treat severe hyperthyroidism and/or thyroid cancer, causes hypothyroidism

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Typical symptoms of hypothyroidism abnormal weight gain tiredness baldness cold intolerance and bradycardia Hypothyroidism is treated with hormone replacement therapy such levothyroxine,

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Psychosocial Assessment of Hyperthyroidism -Mood swings -Decrease attention span -Manic behavior Diagnostic Assessment of Hyperthyroidism -Thyroid Scan-Evaluates the position, size and functions -Ultrasonography- To determine its size, composition of masses and nodules -Electrocardiography- Usually shows tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and changes in P and T waveforms

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Drug Therapy Hyperthyroidism -Propylthiouracil (PTU) -Methimazole (Tapazole) -Carbimazole (Neo-Mercazole)