Thyroid Treatment Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering the pathophysiology, symptoms, and pharmacological treatments for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism as discussed in the lecture.

TRH

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone, secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland.

TSH

Thyroid-stimulating hormone, secreted by the anterior pituitary; it is the gold standard for determining and monitoring thyroid treatment.

Thyroxine (T4)

The major thyroid hormone secreted by the thyroid gland with a long half-life of $7-10$ days; it acts as a prohormone for conversion into T3.

Triiodothyronine (T3)

The biologically active form of thyroid hormone with a short half-life of $4-6$ hours.

Hashimoto thyroiditis

The most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries.

Iodine deficiency

The most common cause of hypothyroidism globally.

Levothyroxine

A synthetic human thyroid hormone replacement biologically equivalent to T4; standard dosing is $1.6\,\mu\text{g/kg/dose}$ PO QD.

Liothyronine (Cytomel)

A synthetic L-triiodothyronine (T3) replacement; not first-line, but used if impairment of peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 is suspected.

Armour Thyroid

A natural desiccated thyroid extract derived from pig thyroid glands containing both T4 and T3; not FDA approved and not recommended during pregnancy.

50 mcg Levothyroxine Tablets

The specific dosage of levothyroxine that is dye-free and used for patients with concerns regarding allergic reactions to dyes.

Thionamides

A class of anti-thyroid medications (Methimazole and PTU) that block the synthesis of T4 and T3 by preventing iodine and peroxidase from interacting with thyroglobulin.

Methimazole (Tapazole)

The preferred thionamide for hyperthyroidism due to its longer duration of action, once-daily dosing, and more rapid efficacy.

Propylthiouracil (PTU)

The preferred thionamide during the first trimester of pregnancy due to the potential teratogenic effects of methimazole.

Graves disease

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

Radioactive Iodine (Sodium Iodide I-131)

A treatment for hyperthyroidism that destroys the thyroid gland, requiring a thyroid uptake scan of >40\% and leading to permanent hypothyroidism.

Agranulocytosis

A serious hematologic side effect associated with thionamide use requiring close monitoring of the CBC with differential.

Hypoparathyroidism

A potential risk following a total thyroidectomy, involving the loss of calcium regulation and requiring lifelong calcium and Vitamin D replacement.