Question

Lorrie is a 60-year-old female who was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Her granddaughter, Alissa, who is in college studying to be a registered nurse, is very interested in learning more about hypothyroidism so that she can help to educate her grandmother about her disease process. Alissa begins by reviewing basic anatomy and physiology of the thyroid gland.

1.Create a teaching plan for lorrie a patient with hypothyroidism.

Answer 1

HYPOTHYROIDISM

Hypothyroidism is one of the common coditions in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

THYROID

Thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland in the middle of the neck, below the voice box and above clavicles which produces hormones such as triiodothyronin[T3] and thyroxine [T4]. these hormones regulates body's metabolism.

CAUSES OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

• autoimmune disease [Hashimoto's thyroiditis, post-Graves disease]
• atrophy of thyroid gland with aging
• therapy for hyperthyroidism [ radioactive iodine]
• thyroidectomy
• medications like Lithium, iodine compounds and antithyroid medications
• radiation to head and neck in treatement of head and neck cancers and lymphoma
• infiltrative disease of thyroid [ amyloidosis, scleroderma, lymphoma ]
• iodine deficiency and iodine excess

SYMPTOMS

1. General symptoms include fatigue, sluggishness, slight weight gain, and intolerance of cold temparature
2. skin become dry and thick
3. hair becomes coarse or thin
4. nails may be brittle
5. mild swelling around the eyes
6. weak and slow heart rate
7. shortness of breath
8. high blood pressure
9. high cholesterole level
10. sleep apnea
11. hoarse voice
12. constipation
13. irregularities in menstural cycles
14. difficult to become pregnanat
15. increased risk of miscarriage

DIAGNOSIS

• Blood test- blood test can confirm the diagnosis and the undelying cause. the blood test include ; thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], thyroxine [T4], even if there is a small decrease in the thyroid function the TSH can be elevated. in overt hypothyroidism the T4 level will be low where as in sunclinical hypothyroidism the T4 levels will be normal.

TREATMENT

• Synthetic levothyroxine is commonly prescribed for treating hypothyroidism
• IV administration of T4 and T3 are recomended rather than T4 alone
• glucocorticoids [hydrocortisone]

MANAGEMENT

in hypothyroidism the metabolism will be slower. researches have shown that the aerobic exercise can help to increase the thyroid hormone levels

iodine, selenium and zinc are important nutrients in controling hypothyroidism however avoid iodine and selenium suppliments unless it is adviced by the physician

avoid foods that contain goitrogens such as soy foods, cabbage, broccoli, kale, spinach, sweet potato, cassava, peaches, strawberries, millets, pine nuts, peanuts etc.

people with hypothyroidism should have plenty of healthy foods such as eggs, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, gluten free grains and seeds [rice, buckwheat, quinoea, chia seed, flax seeds], diary products and beverages [ water and other caffeinated beverages

the people with hypothyroidism should maintain a healthy body weight.

sleep atleast 7-8 hours

try yoga or meditation which help to de-stress and help to improve overall health