Hypothyroidism

Causative Factors

Risk Factors

Common Labs / Diagnostic Tests

Physical Exam Findings

Treatments

Pathophysiologic Etiology

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According to a journal article by Sheehan (2016), it states that the TSH level is the most definitive way to detect low or high thyroid levels. The article mentions how this test is the most useful in determining the diagnosis of hypo or hyperthyroidism. In most cases, a repeat thyroid series would be completed to confirm the diagnosis.

  • Thyroxine (T4)
  • Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

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  • Age
  • Sex/Gender
  • Presence of Autoimmune Disorder
  • Diabetes Mellitus

According to an article by Khatiwada, et. al (2015), it mentions how Diabetes Mellitus is a risk factor for people developing hypothyroidism. It discusses how there is a major correlation between diabetes and the development of thyroid dysfunction.

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  • Medications (Levothyroxine)
  • Enhanced Nutrition
  • Iodine Therapy

If the patient is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the first line of treatment that is usually recommended and tolerated well would be a medication called levothyroxine (Hennessey & Espaillat, 2018). This medication can be titrated up or down depending on the patient’s thyroid levels after starting the medication.

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  • Fatigue
  • Generalized Muscle Weakness
  • Cold Intolerance
  • Dry/Brittle Skin
  • Weight Gain or Difficulty Loosing Weight
  • Mood Swings
  • Increased Thyroid Size

Some symptoms that a patient might experience may be related to another disease process or an exacerbation of a current disease process other than hypothyroidism (McAninch & Bianco, 2016). If the patient has persistent symptoms such as fatigue, inability to regulate temperature and weight gain, then it could be used to link the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

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  • Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
  • Thyroid Mass or Tumor
  • Genetics
  • Medications

According to a journal article by Ferrari, Fallahi, Antonelli & Venvenga (2017), it states that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is one of the common reasons for the development of hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder.

An article by Sheehan (2016) states that the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and thyroid all work together. The article mentions how the hypothalamus is responsible for releasing the thyrotropin releasing hormone and that the pituitary gland is responsible for releasing the thyroid stimulating hormone. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland which in turn produces circulating levels of TRH and TSH. If this functioning is low then there are consequently low levels of TSH flowing through the body.

* CITATION/REFERENCES ATTACHED TO MS624 REMEDIATION PAPER