Question

1. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism produce significant signs and symptoms in clients.

   1. Describe the physiologic effects of thyroid hormone.

   2. Compare and contrast the two disorders.

2. Both conditions can be treated with medications that help the body to achieve a more normal level of thyroid hormones.

   1. Discuss medications used for hyperthyroidism and the therapeutic effects.

   2. Discuss medications used for hypothyroidism and the therapeutic effects.

3. As part of the nursing process, assessment of subjective and objective data provides very important information regarding the client.

   1. Discuss the possible assessments and treatments for myxedema.

   2. Discuss the possible assessments and treatments for a client experiencing thyroid storm.

Answer 1

Physiological effect of thyroid hormone:

a) Metabolism: Thyroid hormone increases bsal metabolic rate, which leads to increased respiratory rate and body temperature.

b)Mental status: Hyperthyroidism induces anxiety and nervousness, while too little hormone leads to sluggish mental state.

c) cardiovascular:Thyroid hormone increases heart rate, cardiac output, vasodilation.

d) skeletal : thyroid hormones causes increased development of type 2 muscle fibers, these are capable forfast contractions.

e)Growth & development: Thyroid hormone is essential for the growth of children and also needed for fetal and neonatal brain development.Growth retardation can happen with the thyroid defeciency.it acts along with growth hormone in children,and stimulate bone growth, it induces osteoclasts and osteoblasts.

f)Hypothyroidism is commonly associated with infertility.

Difference between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism:

Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism

The common cause is hashimoto's thyroiditis The common cause is graves disease

more common less common

decreased pruduction of thyroid hormone increased production of thyroid hormone

patient will have weight gain, less energetic    weight loss and more energetic

low T3, T4, free T4 , TSH levels high T3, T4, free T4 , TSH levels

lifelong treatment often required temporary treatment only needed

Medications for hypothyroidism:

Hypothyroidism is commonly treated with supplimental thyroid hormone,it make TSH( thyroid stimulating hormone) to narmal range. e.g Levothyroxin.

Medications for hyperthyroidism:

Hyperthyroidism needs symptomatic treatment. Medications mainly used are:

Betablocker: they can slow down heart rate, reduces tremoursand improve irritability.e.g proponolol, atenolol, metoprolol

Antithyroid drug: It blocks new hormone production. e.g Methimazole

Propylthiouracil is the drug of choice in first trimester of pregnancy, because of reduced risk to fetus