Thyroid Gland Function
This gland plays a major role in metabolism, growth, and development.
What is the thyroid gland?
This is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States.
What is chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis)?
This is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, accounting for 80-90% of cases.
What is Graves' Disease?
This medication is the treatment of choice for hypothyroidism.
What is levothyroxine (T4)?
This type of thyroiditis is the most common cause of a painful thyroid gland.
What is subacute granulomatous thyroiditis (or DeQuervain's thyroiditis)?
The thyroid gland produces these two main hormones.
What are T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine)?
In primary hypothyroidism, this lab value is high while free T4 is low.
What is TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)?
In all cases of hyperthyroidism, this lab value will be extremely low or undetectable.
What is TSH?
This class of drugs is typically started first to control symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
What are beta blockers?
This form of thyroiditis is autoimmune in origin and often occurs in the postpartum period.
What is subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis?
This hormone produced by the thyroid's C-cells helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the blood.
What is Calcitonin?
This condition is characterized by inadequate thyroid hormone production in newborns.
What is congenital hypothyroidism?
This imaging study will show increased uptake in both Graves' disease and toxic multinodular goiter.
What is a radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) study?
These are the three main treatment options for hyperthyroidism.
What are anti-thyroid medication, radioactive iodine ablation, and thyroidectomy?
This medication can induce thyroiditis as a side effect.
What is amiodarone?
This axis is part of the neuroendocrine system responsible for regulation of metabolism involving the thyroid.
What is the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis?
This life-threatening complication of severe hypothyroidism is characterized by altered mental status.
What is myxedema coma?
This eye condition, specific to Graves' disease, can include lid lag, periorbital edema, and proptosis.
What is ophthalmopathy (or Graves' ophthalmopathy)?
This anti-thyroid medication is preferred for pregnant or breastfeeding patients with hyperthyroidism.
What is Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
This type of thyroiditis is thought to be the result of a preceding viral illness such as coxsackievirus or EBV.
What is subacute granulomatous thyroiditis?
This hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to produce TSH in the thyroid hormone regulation process.
What is TRH (Thyroid Releasing Hormone)?
This type of hypothyroidism stems from a problem in the hypothalamus or pituitary and shows low serum T4 with a TSH that is not appropriately elevated.
What is central hypothyroidism?
This rare, extreme form of thyrotoxicosis can be precipitated by trauma, infection, or major illness and includes symptoms like high fever, tachycardia, and delirium.
What is thyroid storm?
In thyroid storm treatment, this medication is given along with beta blockers and PTU, and may also require IV sodium iodide.
What is IV hydrocortisone?
In the characteristic course of thyroiditis, this phase follows the initial thyrotoxic phase and precedes the recovery phase.
What is the hypothyroid phase?