Thyroid Hormone (T4)
They thyroid gland helps to regulate metabolic rate, protein synthesis, and long-bone growth via the production of thyroid hormone (T4). Increased T4 leads to increased metabolic rate and protein synthesis.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism results in increased metabolic rate due to the overproduction of T4.
Sign and symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- diaphoresis.
- Diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
- Goiter.
Thyroid Storm
Hyperthyroidism carries an increased risk of thyroid storm— a life-threatening, hyper-metabolic state and acute medical emergency triggered by an acute, major stressor.
Effects of thyroid storm include:
- Protein catabolism and metabolic acidosis.
- Tachycardia and dysrhythmia leading to Heart Failure.
- Increased peristalsis leading to extreme N/V/D.
- Hypoxia leading to fatigue.
- Tremors, delirium, and emotional lability.
Signs and symptoms of thyroid storm include:
- Critically high fever.
- Heart Failure and pedal edema.
- Extreme N/V/D.
- Fatigue.
- Tremors, delirium, and emotional lability.
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism results in high TSH but low T4. Causes of hypothyroidism include:
- Low dietary iodine.
- Removal of the thyroid gland.
- Genetics.
- Autoimmune disorder (Hashimoto's).
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Cold intolerance.
- Weight gain.
- Coarse hair.
- Lethargy
- Bradycardia.
- Constipation.
- Muscle weakness.
Management of hypothyroidism requires levothyroxine T4 replacement.
Myxedema
Hypothyroidism carries an increased risk of myxedema, which...
- is triggered by secondary insult.
- results in mucopolysaccharide deposits in the dermis.
- results in delirium, coma, and eventual death.