NURC 1021Hypo and Hyperthyroidism Notes

Hypo and Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism:
Definition: Excessive production of thyroid hormones

 Thyroid hormones play a role in burning calories, stimulating the
sympathetic nervous system (reflex, responses), increasing heart
rate/blood pressure, and how fast we digest food
Causes:

 Too much Iodine
 Grave’s Disease (an autoimmune disorder where the body
produces TSI which the body thinks is TSH…and this causes the
thyroid gland to release excessive amounts of T3 and T4)
 Toxic Nodular Goiter (nodular growths that produce excessive
thyroid hormone)
 Thyroid replacement medication toxicity
Life-threatening Complications:

Thyroid Storm
Signs and Symptoms:

 Weight Loss
 Fever not just Heat intolerance
 Goiter (both)
 Restless, irritable, confused - this will progress to seizures, delirium,
coma
 Hypertension—going to exhaust the heart to the point of failure (CHF
or MI)
 Tachycardia (Fast Heart Rate)- going to exhaust the heart to the point
of failure (CHF or MI)
 Increase respirations—due to the body working so hard and it needs
more oxygen and nutrients…will get respiratory failure if not treated
fast
 Hair Loss
 Diarrhea
 Unable to focus mentally
 Oily skin
 Nervousness
 Menstrual problems (both)