Hyperthyroidism resident survival guide

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mydah Sajid, M.B.B.S.

Overview

Hyperthyroidism is a disease that results from thyroid hormone-induced hypermetabolism. The excess thyroid hormone is released from the thyroid gland as a result of excess thyroid hormone production, or by processes that disrupt the follicular structure of the gland with subsequent release of stored hormone. Most patients with severe hyperthyroidism present with a dramatic symptom constellation. Hyperthyroidism's typical symptoms include palpitations, heat intolerance, increased bowel movement, frequent tremors, anxiety, weight loss despite normal or increased appetite and shortness of breath. Goiter is commonly found on physical examination. As a physician, it is important to identify the severity of clinical signs, thyroid storm and treat them promptly. This section provides a short and straight-to-the-point overview of hyperthyroidism.

Causes

Life-Threatening Causes

Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.[1][2][3]

Common Causes

Diagnosis

Shown below is an algorithm summarizing the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism according to the American Thyroid Association guidelines.[4]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Clinical assessment of signs & symptoms for hyperthyroidism:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Measure serum Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Low TSH (usually <0.01mU/L)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High TSH
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mild hyperthyroidism: Serum T4 and T3 values in normal range or only T3 levels are elevated.
 
 
 
Overt hyperthyroidism: Both serum T3 and T4 levels elevated
 
 
 
 
Elevated serum T4 and T3 levels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Perform thorough physical examination of thyroid gland and look for signs for thyroid eye disease. Thyroid gland diffusely enlarged with symmetrical hypertrophy and new onset of ocular symptoms
 
 
 
 
 
Repeat TSH levels in serial dilution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes. Graves' disease
 
No
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Measure serum assays of TRAb and radioactive iodine uptake thyroid scan
 
 
 
High TSH levels due to hetrophilic antibodies
 
 
Look out for pituitary lesion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Measurement of serum levels of human anti-mouse antibodies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diffuse increase in iodine uptake
 
 
 
Localized increase in iodine uptake
 
 
 
Subnormal or absent uptake of iodine
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graves' disease
 
 
Toxic nodular goiter
 
Subacute thyroiditis/ Postpartum thyroiditis
 
Factitious ingestion of thyroid hormones
 
Excess intake of iodine recently
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High levels of thyroglobulin in serum
 
Low thyroglobulin levels
 
Measure spot urine iodine or 24 hour urine iodine level
 

Treatment

Shown below is an algorithm summarizing the treatment of Graves' disease according to the American Thyroid Association guidelines.[5][6]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overt Graves' disease
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Antithyroid medications
 
 
Radioactive iodine ablation
 
 
Surgery
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Administered in patients with:
  • There is a risk of worsening of existing thyroid eye disease.
  •  
     
     
     
  • Total or near-total thyroidectomy is recommended for patients with:
  • The advantages are:
  •  

    Dos

    Don'ts

    References

    1. Kravets I (2016). "Hyperthyroidism: Diagnosis and Treatment". Am Fam Physician. 93 (5): 363–70. PMID 26926973.
    2. Vanderpump MP (2011). "The epidemiology of thyroid disease". Br Med Bull. 99: 39–51. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldr030. PMID 21893493.
    3. Pearce EN, Farwell AP, Braverman LE (2003). "Thyroiditis". N Engl J Med. 348 (26): 2646–55. doi:10.1056/NEJMra021194. PMID 12826640.
    4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Correction to: Thyroid 2016;26:1343-1421. DOI: 10.1089/thy.2016.0229". Thyroid. 27 (11): 1462. 2017. doi:10.1089/thy.2016.0229.correx. PMC 5672663. PMID 29035639.
    5. 5.0 5.1 Ross, Douglas S.; Burch, Henry B.; Cooper, David S.; Greenlee, M. Carol; Laurberg, Peter; Maia, Ana Luiza; Rivkees, Scott A.; Samuels, Mary; Sosa, Julie Ann; Stan, Marius N.; Walter, Martin A. (2016). "2016 American Thyroid Association Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Hyperthyroidism and Other Causes of Thyrotoxicosis". Thyroid. 26 (10): 1343–1421. doi:10.1089/thy.2016.0229. ISSN 1050-7256.
    6. Nwatsock, JF; Taieb, D; Tessonnier, L; Mancini, J; Dong-A-Zok, F; Mundler, O (2012). "Radioiodine Thyroid Ablation in Graves′ Hyperthyroidism: Merits and Pitfalls". World Journal of Nuclear Medicine. 11 (1): 7. doi:10.4103/1450-1147.98731. ISSN 1450-1147.
    7. Carlé A, Knudsen N, Pedersen IB, Perrild H, Ovesen L, Rasmussen LB; et al. (2013). "Determinants of serum T4 and T3 at the time of diagnosis in nosological types of thyrotoxicosis: a population-based study". Eur J Endocrinol. 169 (5): 537–45. doi:10.1530/EJE-13-0533. PMID 23935127.
    8. Shigemasa C, Abe K, Taniguchi S, Mitani Y, Ueda Y, Adachi T; et al. (1987). "Lower serum free thyroxine (T4) levels in painless thyroiditis compared with Graves' disease despite similar serum total T4 levels". J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 65 (2): 359–63. doi:10.1210/jcem-65-2-359. PMID 3110204.
    9. McKee A, Peyerl F (2012). "TSI assay utilization: impact on costs of Graves' hyperthyroidism diagnosis". Am J Manag Care. 18 (1): e1–14. PMID 22435785.
    10. Koornstra JJ, Kerstens MN, Hoving J, Visscher KJ, Schade JH, Gort HB; et al. (1999). "Clinical and biochemical changes following 131I therapy for hyperthyroidism in patients not pretreated with antithyroid drugs". Neth J Med. 55 (5): 215–21. doi:10.1016/s0300-2977(99)00066-2. PMID 10593131.
    11. Kuy S, Roman SA, Desai R, Sosa JA (2009). "Outcomes following thyroid and parathyroid surgery in pregnant women". Arch Surg. 144 (5): 399–406, discussion 406. doi:10.1001/archsurg.2009.48. PMID 19451480.
    12. Weingold AB (1983). "Appendicitis in pregnancy". Clin Obstet Gynecol. 26 (4): 801–9. doi:10.1097/00003081-198312000-00005. PMID 6661836.


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