By: Jessica Stevens

 Actions of the thyroid ◦ Controls body temperature ◦ How body burns calories ◦ Controls how fast food moves through digestive tract ◦ Muscle strength  Thyroid hormones: ◦ T3-thyroxine ◦ T4-triiodothyronine ◦ Calcitonin

Hyperthyroidism is present when the thyroid gland is over secreting hormones.

 Diarrhea and weight loss  Eye problems  Enlarged thyroid gland  Hair and skin changes  Heat intolerance  Heart palpitations  Clubbing  Menstrual cycle changes  Muscle weakness  Easily bruised

 Nervousness  Restlessness  Anxiety  Irritability  Sleeplessness or insomnia  Exhaustion

Early diagnosis is key to treatment and recovery.

 How do we diagnosis these disorders?? ◦ Thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH) test  Normal levels of TSH are milliunits/L. ◦ Thyroid hormone test  In adults, a normal total T3 level is ng/dL. Total T4 levels should be at 5-14 mcg/dL.

 Grave’s disease.  A benign nodule on the thyroid.  Thyroiditis.  Taking too much of the synthetic thyroid hormone.

That’s right FEMALES…

 With Grave’s Disease, the immune system begins to attack the thyroid and produces antibodies that mimic TSH.  Women are more likely to develop Grave’s disease.  Hereditary and environmental influences.

 Radioactive iodine ◦ Typical treatment is 3-12 millicuries. ◦ However, this treatment can cause hypothyroidism. ◦ It must also be followed by thyroid replacing hormones.  Beta-Blockers  Antithyroid medication-Propylthiouracil (PTU) or Tapazole

 Hypothyroidism is present when the thyroid gland is producing little or no thyroid hormones. Thus slowing things down....

 Cold intolerance  Slow digestion  Weight gain  Fatigue  Thin, coarse hair  Brittle fingernails  Muscle aches  Dizziness  Ringing in ears  Numbness ◦ Carpal tunnel  Poor memory  Skin changes  Voice changes  Milky discharge from breasts

Hypothyroidism can be linked to psychiatric depression. Roughly 15% of all patients suffering from depression are found to be hypothyroid. Some symptoms found are:  Paranoia  Aural and Visual hallucinations

 Hashimoto’s thyroiditis  Treatment for hyperthyroidism  Congenital hypothyroidism  Radiation therapy given to the head and/or neck  Side-effect hypothyroidism

 Thyroid replacement pills-most common  Some medicines can cause hypothyroidism. ◦ Stop the medication and symptoms should cease.

 Cronin, Colleen. (2005) Hyperthyroidism. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from WebMD web site: zguides/hyperthyroidism-topic-overview.  Katz-Wise, Sabra L. (2006). Hypothyroidism. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from WebMD web site: zguides/hypothyroidism-topic-overview.  Rosenthal, M. Sara (1999). The thyroid sourcebook for women. Lincolnwood, IL: Lowell House.

 In conclusion, people with proper medical attention and patient compliancy can lead a healthy, active lifestyle with these conditions.