Hyperthyroidism

Symptoms

Collaborative Care

Pathophysiology

Labs/Diagnostic Tests

Risk Factors

Complications

Hyperactivity of the thyroid gland. High circulating T4 serum in the blood that effect the tissues.

Graves disease: opthalmopathy, dermopathy, and diffuses goiter

Nervousness, irritability, fatigue

Weight loss even when they eat a lot.

Tachycardia, palpitations, elevated cardiac output, HF, SOB

excessive sweating

Sensitivity to heat

Goiter

Tremors in their hands and fingers

Hair and skin has smooth and thin look.

Difficulty sleeping

Anxiety, restlessness

Increased GI motility

Smoking increases graves disease symptoms

exophthalmos: dry, red, swollen, bulging eyes. Visual changes, light sensitivity, blurry vision.

Plummer's disease: a benign lump/adenoma will cause enlargement of the thyroid and excess production of T4

Graves disease: opthalmopathy, dermopathy, and goiter

Thyroid storm: life-threatening due to untreated hyperthyroidism. Can be brought on by acute stress, thyroidectomy, or emotional/physical stress.

Postpartum: Thyroid gland can become enlarged and the inflammation can cause stored T4 to leak into the blood.

Family history of Grave's Disease.

Females are diagnosed more than men

Chronic diseases: Diabetes type 1, pernicious anemia, primary adrenal insufficiency

Heart problems due to the tachycardia, palpitations, and AFIB.

Weak bone structure because the excess T4 can inhibit Calcium absorption into the bone.

Vision problems including vision loss from untreated opthalmopathy.

Extreme swelling and redness in their skin.

Physical assessment, metabolic panel blood test. Results of a blood test can be affected by multivitamins.

Blood test: Measure the amount of T4, T3, and TSH. For hyperthyroidism, TSH will be low and T3 and T4 will be above 12 for t4 and above 220 ng/dL for T3.

Provider will prescribe antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine, and beta blockers (relieves symptoms).

Thyroid scan: Shows iodine collection in thyroid.

Surgery: Thyroidectomy if the medications are not tolerated.

Nutritionist: Make sure the patient is not consuming too much iodine.

Smoking cessation programs because it can exacerbate opthalmopathy.

OT: Promote coping skills such as exercise, relaxation techniques because Graves Disease has stress as a risk factor.