20.14c Medications Affecting the Parathyroid and Thyroid Glands

calcium levels

The parathyroid glands are primarily responsible for regulating (?).

Hypoparathyroidism

(?) leads to decreased levels of calcium and vitamin D.

calcium and vitamin D supplements

Treatment, therefore, is through (?).

Hyperparathyroidism

(?) leads to high levels of calcium.

surgical removal of all or part of the parathyroid glands

Because it usually results from tumors, the treatment of choice is (?).

thyroid hormones

The thyroid gland produces (?), which play a vital role in regulating growth, maturation, and metabolism.

Hypothyroidism

(?) can occur in children or adults.

cretinism

When it develops in children, it is known as (?) and manifests itself as dwarfism and mental retardation with characteristic features.

decreased metabolic rate

Because most growth and maturation in adults is complete, adult onset of hypothyroidism appears as (?), weight gain, fatigue, and bradycardia.

myxedema

In some cases, (?) (facial puffiness) can be present.

thyroid hormone replacement

Treatment is aimed at (?).

levothyroxine (Synthroid)

The prototype medication, (?), is also the most commonly used.

T4 (thyroxine)

A synthetic analog of (?) , one of the thyroid hormones, levothyroxine generally has no significant side effects when taken in therapeutic doses.

thyrotoxicosis

Overdose can lead to (?) or thyroid storm.

hyperthyroidism

Thyrotoxicosis is a condition in which (?) causes an increase in thyroid hormones.

Thyroid storm

(?) is a severe form of thyrotoxicosis in which the manifestations of the disease increase to life-threatening proportions.

tachycardic arrhythmias

Thyroid storm is characterized by (?), angina, hypertension, and hyperthermia.

Goiters

(?) are enlargements of the thyroid gland.

insufficient dietary iodine

They are typically caused by (?).

Hashimoto’s disease

In developed countries, goiter is much less common than in undeveloped countries and is most commonly caused by (?), a chronic autoimmune disease.

supplementing the inadequate iodine

Treatment of goiters is aimed at (?).

excessive release of thyroid hormones

Hyperthyroidism is caused by (?), typically as a result of tumors.

Graves’ disease

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States is (?).

tachycardia

It presents with (?), hypertension, hyperthermia, nervousness, insomnia, increased metabolic rate, and weight loss.

exophthalmos

In severe cases, (?) (protrusion of the eyeballs) can occur.

surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland

Treatment is typically (?).

Radioactive iodine 131I

(?) can also be given for radiation therapy.

Propylthiouracil (PTU)

(?) can be given alone or as adjunct therapy to surgery or radiation in treating hyperthyroidism.