Hormone Basics
This gland is often called the “master gland” because it regulates other endocrine glands.
Pituitary gland
This medication is the common T4 replacement used for hypothyroidism.
Levothyroxine
This symptom should be reported because it may indicate excessive thyroid hormone effect on the heart.
Palpitations or chest pain
This medication is a calcitonin product that may be given as a nasal spray or injection.
Calcitonin-salmon
This is the best time to teach many patients to take levothyroxine.
In the morning on an empty stomach
This thyroid hormone is commonly replaced with levothyroxine.
Thyroxine or T4
This medication is a T3 replacement that works faster and is more potent than T4.
Liothyronine
This serious adverse reaction to antithyroid drugs causes dangerously low white blood cells.
Agranulocytosis
This PTH analog is used for osteoporosis in selected high-risk patients.
Teriparatide
This is why glucocorticoids should not be stopped suddenly after long-term use.
Risk for adrenal crisis
This thyroid hormone is more active and has a faster effect than T4.
Triiodothyronine or T3
These symptoms may indicate too much thyroid hormone replacement.
Tachycardia, palpitations, tremor, insomnia, weight loss, and heat intolerance
These two symptoms should be reported immediately by a patient taking methimazole or PTU.
Fever and sore throat
This mineralocorticoid medication helps the body retain sodium and water and excrete potassium.
Fludrocortisone
These findings may indicate too much mineralocorticoid effect from fludrocortisone.
Edema, hypertension, weight gain, and hypokalemia
This hormone raises blood calcium levels.
Parathyroid hormone or PTH
These two substances can reduce levothyroxine absorption and should be separated from the dose.
Calcium and iron
This antithyroid medication has a higher concern for liver injury.
Propylthiouracil or PTU
These medications reduce inflammation, suppress immunity, and support the stress response.
Glucocorticoids
These symptoms may indicate adrenal crisis after abrupt steroid withdrawal.
Severe weakness, hypotension, nausea/vomiting, confusion, shock
This hormone lowers blood calcium levels.
Calcitonin
These medications inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis and are used for hyperthyroidism.
Antithyroid drugs like methimazole and PTU
This life-threatening hyperthyroid emergency can cause fever, tachycardia, agitation, and cardiovascular collapse.
Thyroid storm
These are two examples of glucocorticoid medications.
Prednisone and Hydrocortisone
A patient taking methimazole calls the clinic and reports fever and a sore throat. The nurse recognizes these symptoms may indicate a life-threatening drop in white blood cells.
Agranulocytosis