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.

Answer 1

Describe the physiologic effects of thyroid hormone

Thyroid hormones are the different types of hormones secreted from the thyroid gland. Which includes T3 and T4. T3 is  triiodothyronine and thyroxine is (T4). They have got various function in the human body. These hormones are involved in the various body function activities like controlling the body temperature, aid in digestion etc. Lets see in detail about the various physiological activities of these hormones.Thyroid hormones helps in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in body.They helps in the oxidation of fatty acid and thus helps in fat digestion.they also helps in maintaining the cholesterol concentration in human body by effective fat metabolism.Thyroid hormones plays a major role in growth and development.In congenital hypothyroidism, childrens can develop cretenism, it is a condition of retarded physical growth. Thyroid hormones increases rate of contraction of heart and thus helps to maintain a healthy heart rate and thus helps to maintain a healthy,cardiac output.By maintaining adequate and healthy cardiac output blood flow to the major organs will improve.thyroid hormones plays a major role in central nervous system. it helps to keep the person mentally arousable. Any deficiency of these hormones can make the individual sleepy, lethargic and lack of interest in activities. That is a common finding in patients with hypothyroidism. For maintaining normal reproductive functions also thyroid hormones are necessary. In the absence of adequate thyroid hormones, individual can develop infertility, still birth, early abortion etc.These are some of the common findings can seen in patients with hypothyroidism.These hormone also helps in calcium metabolism in the body.

Compare and contrast the two disorders.

Hypothyroidism: A disorder that usually develops because of decreased production of thyroid hormones. The disease is clinically characterized by weight gain, decreased heart rate, excessive sweating, constipation, muscle and joint pain, cold intolerence etc.

Hyperthyroidism: It is just opposite of hypothyroidism. A condition characterized by the incresed production of thyroid hormones in human body. the clinical symptoms includes, weight loss, heat intolerence, disrrhoea, resting tremore of hands, elevated body temeperature etc.

Both of these diseases can cause serious health issues and organ damage in individuals, if left untreated.

Discuss medications used for hyperthyroidism and the therapeutic effects

Propyl thiouracil is the common drug adviced for patients with hyperthyroidism.this tablet, prevent the further production of thyroid hormones in the body and thus helps to control the amount of thyroid hormones in the body.This drug will prevent the convertion of triidothyronin into thyroxin. And thus helps to maintain the adequate amount of thyroid hormones in the body.The drug is avilable in different doses, and dose is adjusted as per patients need based on TFT values.The drug cannot be given to the pregnant mothers from 2nd trimester, as it can cause serious fetal damage.

Discuss medications used for hypothyroidism and the therapeutic effects.

For hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone suppliments are given in tablet form, inorder to improve the thyroid hormone levels. the commercialy available drug is tab. levothyroxin.The tablet is avilable in differnt dosage.Given as per the dosage requirement of the patient based on thyroid function test.The drug needed to be taken on early morning in empty stomach for the easy absorption.Regular TFT is important during the course of tablet. Based on the TFT values, the dosage can be alterd.They helps to provide synthetic thyroid hormones for the body use.