Thyroid Pharm

metabolism
cardiac function
growth

Triiodothyronine (T3)
Thyroxine (T4, tetraiodothyronine) = synthetic T4 is levothyroxine

hypothyroidism

replacement therapy with thyroid hormones
in almost all cases, treatment must continue life long

replacement therapy with thyroid hormones

pale, puffy, and expressionless face
cold and dry skin
brittle hair or loss of hair
heart rate and temperature are lowered
lethargy and fatigue
intolerance to cold
impaired mentality

usually due to malfunction of the thyroid
Hashimoto's disease: chronic autoimmune thyroiditis

permanent neuropsychologic deficits

Graves' disease = most common form, affects women 20-40 years old, causes exophthalmos (protruding/large eyes)
Toxic nodular goiter (Plummer's disease) = makes them nervous and develop insomnia, everything is excelerated

surgical removal of thyroid tissue (can partially remove)
destruction of thyroid tissue (give meds)

patient with thyrotoxicosis who undergo significant stress (surgery, illness, etc.)
signs: hyperthermia (105 F or higher), severe tachycardia

potassium iodide, methimazole, and beta blocker = slow the HR down
sedation, cooling (cooling blanket to get temperature down), glucocorticoids, IV fluids

first line drug for hyperthyroidism
class: thionamides
may take 3-12 weeks for euthyroid state
can't take during pregnancy and need to wear gloves when handling
can be used for Graves Disease

synthetic preparation of thyroxine (T4) and drug of choice for hypothyroidism
conversion to T3
half-life: 7 days - very strong drug
used for all forms of hypothyroidism
adverse: tachycardia, angina, tremors, can intensifiy effects of warfarin
should take in the morning at least 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast (won't sleep if given at night/later in day