best areas to get credible information
is from PubMed.
Sally, a 60 yr-old
female has been diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disorder
called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Sally
showed up in the clinic for her Hashimoto’s today. She is currently
taking no medications.
1.
What is the difference between
“signs & symptoms”?
2.
What signs and symptoms would
you expect Sally to tell you she is experiencing?
3.
What type of disorder is this
related to? (High
thyroid hormone or low)? What
is the actual term?
4.
Explain the feedback mechanism
of thyroid hormone. Start by identifying the different structures
that are involved in the brain and the periphery. What substances
(hormones) are released in response to each of these?
5.
In the individual with
“Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis” what would you expect the labs to show
relative the following hormones? T3,
T4, TSH, TRH?
6.
Which of the thyroid hormones
is considered “active hormone” and which is considered “inactive
hormone”?
7.
Explain why TSH is increased
in hypothyroidism.
8.
What medication is used to
treat Hashimoto’s? What is its mechanism of action?
9.
Are there any foods that can
be eaten (or avoided) for individuals with
Hashimoto’s?
10.
There are some nutrients and
metals that are required cofactors for the production of thyroid
hormone. If you had to design a supplement that would optimize
Sally’s production of hormones, what kinds of things would you put
in it?
11.
If someone takes too much of
their medication, what signs and symptoms will they exhibit? What
condition is this similar to?
12.
What is meant by subclinical
hypothyroidism? Why is this difficult to treat?
13.
Imagine someone is not taking
medication and they have been diagnosed with
Hashimoto’s. Why might they sometimes exhibit signs and symptoms of
hyperthyroidism as well as hypothyroidism?
14.
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune
disease. What is an autoimmune disease and how do you know this is
an autoimmune disease?
15.
What antibodies would you
expect to see in Hashimoto’s?