Hyperthyroidism: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
*Hyperthyroidism: Excess circulating hormone resulting from thyroid gland hyperfunction
*Hyperthyroidism: Excess circulating hormone resulting from thyroid gland hyperfunction
*Thyrotoxicosis: Excess circulating thyroid hormone originating from any cause
*[[Thyrotoxicosis]]: Excess circulating thyroid hormone originating from any cause


===Causes===
===Causes===
'''Primary Hyperthyroidism'''  
'''Primary Hyperthyroidism'''  
*Graves disease (toxic diffuse goiter)
*Graves disease (toxic diffuse goitre)
**Most common cause (85% of cases)
**Most common cause of hyperthyroidism (85% of cases)
**Associated with diffuse goiter, ophthalmopathy, local dermopathy
**Autoantibodies bind to TSH receptor and stimulate thyroid hormone production and release <ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
*Toxic multinodular goiter
**Associated with diffuse goitre, ophthalmopathy, local dermopathy
**Strong genetic relationship, often found with other autoimmune disorders <ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
*Toxic multinodular goitre
**2nd most common cause
**2nd most common cause
*Toxic nodular (adenoma) goiter
**Multiple autonomously functioning nodules <ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
**Enlarged thyroid gland w/ small nodules that overproduce thyroid hormone
**Milder, more gradual disease than Graves' hyperthyroidism
*Toxic nodular (adenoma) goitre
**Single hyperfunctioning nodule
**Similar presentation to multinodular goitre, but less common <ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
 
 
'''Secondary Hyperthyroidism'''  
'''Secondary Hyperthyroidism'''  
*Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma
*Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma
*Thyroiditis
*Thyroiditis
*Hashimoto thyroiditis
**Hashimoto thyroiditis
**Initially gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism state) followed by hypothyroidism
***Autoimmune disorder
*Subacute painful thyroiditis (de Quervain thyroiditis)
***Thyroid antibodies and lymphocytic infiltration <ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
*Subacute painless thyroiditis
***Painless goitre
*Radiation thyroiditis  
***Initially gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism state) followed by hypothyroidism
**Subacute painful thyroiditis (de Quervain thyroiditis)<ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
***May be caused by viral infection
***Viral prodrome followed by anterior neck pain
***Tender thyroid (palpation, head movement, swallowing)
***50% have symptoms of hyperthyroid lasting 3 - 6 weeks
***1/3 have hypothyroidism for up to 6 months
**Subacute painless thyroiditis <ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
***Small, non-tender goitre
***Mild symptoms
***Autoimmune
**Postpartum thyroiditis <ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
***3 phases:
****Thyrotoxic phase 2 -6 months postpartum (20-30% have only this phase)
****Hypothyroid phase lasting 2 -3 months (but may be permanent) (40% have this phase only)
****Euthyroid phase within first postpartum year
***Some women develop permanent hypothyroidism
***70% recurrence in subsequent pregnancies
**Suppurative thyroiditis <ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
***Rare
***Life-threatening
***Infection usually bacterial, but can be parasitic, mycobacterial, or fungal
***Usually have pre-existing thyroid disorder and immune compromise
**Radiation thyroiditis  
'''Other causes:'''
'''Other causes:'''
*[[Apathetic thyrotoxicosis]] (elderly, masking comorbidities)
*Apathetic thyrotoxicosis (elderly, masking comorbidities)
*Metastatic thyroid cancer
*Metastatic thyroid cancer
*Iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis
*Iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis
*Amiodarone (contains iodine)
*[[Amiodarone]]-induced thyroiditis <ref>Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders </ref>
**Possible mechanisms:
***Drug-induced destructive thyroiditis
***Hyperthyroidism caused by iodine load (amiodarone contains a large amount of iodine)
**Drug-induced thyroiditis may also occur with interleukin-2, [[Interferon-α]], [[lithium]], tyrosine kinase inhibitors, HAART
*[[Molar pregnancy]]
*[[Molar pregnancy]]
{{Thyroid gen background}}


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Constitutional
[[File:PMC5384127 TJO-47-94-g6.png|thumb|Bilateral infiltrative thyroid-associated exophthalmos]]
**Lethargy
[[File:PMC3742527 OL-06-01-0144-g00.png|thumb|Enlarged and homogeneous thyroid.]]
**Diaphoresis
[[File:PMC3371544 IJD-57-247-g002.png|thumb|"Plummer's nail" demonstrating onycholysis (separation of the nail from the nail bed). Abnormal nail findings occurs in about 5% of hyperthyroid patients.]]
**Weakness
'''Constitutional signs:'''
**Fever
*[[Lethargy]]
**Heat intolerance
*Diaphoresis
**Weight loss
*[[Weakness]]
*Neuropsychiatric
*[[Fever]]
**Emotional lability
*Heat intolerance
**Fine tremor
*Weight loss
**Anxiety
'''Neuropsychiatric:'''
**Muscle wasting
*Emotional lability
**Confusion
*Fine [[tremor]]
**Hyperreflexia
*[[Anxiety]]
**Coma
*Muscle wasting
**Periodic paralysis
*[[Confusion]]
**Psychosis  
*Hyperreflexia
*Ophthalmologic
*[[Coma]]
**[[Diplopia]]
*[[Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis|Periodic paralysis]]
**Lid lag
*Psychosis  
**Eye irritation
'''Ophthalmologic:'''
**Exophthalmos
*[[Diplopia]]
**Ophthalmoplegia
*Lid lag
*Endocrine
*Eye irritation
**Neck fullness/tenderness (thyroid gland)
*Exophthalmos
*Cardiorespiratory
*Ophthalmoplegia
**Dyspnea
'''Endocrine:'''
**Widened pulse pressure
*Neck fullness/tenderness (thyroid gland)
**Palpitations
'''Cardiorespiratory:'''
**Systolic hypertension
*[[Dyspnea]]
**Chest pain
*Widened pulse pressure
**Sinus tachycardia
*[[Palpitations]]
**A-fib/flutter
*Systolic [[hypertension]]
**CHF
*[[Chest pain]]
*GI
*[[Sinus tachycardia]]
**Diarrhea
*[[Atrial fibrillation]]
**Hyperactive bowel sounds
**Occurs in 10-20% of patients and can revert to sinus rhythm when hyperthyroidism treated
*Reproductive
*[[Atrial flutter]]
**Oligomenorrhea
*[[CHF]]
**Gynecomastia
'''GI:'''
**Telangiectasia
*[[Diarrhea]]
*Gynecologic
*Hyperactive bowel sounds
**Menorrhagia
'''Reproductive:'''
**Sparse pubic hair
*Oligomenorrhea
*Hematologic
*Gynecomastia
**Anemia
*Telangiectasia
**Leukocytosis
'''Gynecologic:'''
*Dermatologic
*Menorrhagia
**Hair loss
*Sparse pubic hair
**Pretibial myxedema
'''Hematologic:'''
**Warm, moist skin
*[[Anemia]]
**Palmar erythema
*[[Leukocytosis]]
**Onycholysis
'''Dermatologic:'''
*Apathetic hyperthyroidism (elderly patients)<ref>Rehman SU et al. Thyroid Disorders in Elderly Patients. South Med J. 2005;98(5):543-549.</ref>
*[[alopecia|Hair loss]]
**Placid apaethetic facies
*Pretibial myxedema
**Depression
*Warm, moist skin
**Lethargy
*Palmar erythema
**Muscular weakness and wasting
*Onycholysis
**Excessive weight loss
'''Apathetic hyperthyroidism:''' (elderly patients)<ref>Rehman SU et al. Thyroid Disorders in Elderly Patients. South Med J. 2005;98(5):543-549.</ref>
**Cardiac dysrrhythmias
*Placid apathetic facies
**Absent or small goiter
*Depression
**Absence of ocular symptoms
*Lethargy
**Agitation and confusion
*Muscular weakness and wasting
*Excessive weight loss
*Cardiac [[dysrhythmias]]
*Absent or small goiter
*Absence of ocular symptoms
*[[Agitation]] and [[confusion]]


==Differential Diagnosis (Tachycardia)==
==Differential Diagnosis (Tachycardia)==
*Anemia
*[[Anemia]]
*Dehydration
*[[Dehydration]]
*[[Fever]]
*[[Fever]]
*Drug intoxication
*[[Infection]], [[Sepsis]]
*Drug withdrawal
*[[Anion gap acidosis]]
*Pain
*Infection
*Anion gap acidosis
*[[Sepsis]]
*[[Hyperthyroid]]
*[[Hyperthyroid]]
*Psych (anger, fear)
*[[Arrhythmia]]
*[[Arrhythmia]]
*[[PE]]
*[[PE]]
*[[CHF]]
*[[CHF]]
*[[MI]]
*[[Tamponade]]
*[[Tamponade]]
*[[Myocardial contusion]]
*[[Myocardial contusion]]
*Cardiac valvular disease
*Cardiac [[valvular emergencies|valvular disease]]
*Hyper/[[hypoglycemia]]
*Hyper/[[hypoglycemia]]
*AMI
*[[drug overdose|Drug intoxication]]
*Drug withdrawal
*Toxicity
*Toxicity
**ASA
**[[salicylate toxicity|ASA]]
**TCA
**[[TCA toxicity|TCA]]
**Anticholinergic
**[[Anticholinergic toxicity|Anticholinergic]]
**Theophylline
**[[Theophylline toxicity|Theophylline]]
*Pain
*Psych (anger, fear)


==Diagnosis==
==Evaluation==
===Workup===
===Workup===
*TSH (↓)
*TSH (↓)
*Free T4 (↑)
*Free T4 (↑)
*Free T3 (↑)
*Free T3 (↑)
===Diagnosis===
[[File:thyroid studies.JPG|px200]]


==Management==
==Management==

Revision as of 23:23, 17 December 2019

Background

  • Hyperthyroidism: Excess circulating hormone resulting from thyroid gland hyperfunction
  • Thyrotoxicosis: Excess circulating thyroid hormone originating from any cause

Causes

Primary Hyperthyroidism

  • Graves disease (toxic diffuse goitre)
    • Most common cause of hyperthyroidism (85% of cases)
    • Autoantibodies bind to TSH receptor and stimulate thyroid hormone production and release [1]
    • Associated with diffuse goitre, ophthalmopathy, local dermopathy
    • Strong genetic relationship, often found with other autoimmune disorders [2]
  • Toxic multinodular goitre
    • 2nd most common cause
    • Multiple autonomously functioning nodules [3]
    • Milder, more gradual disease than Graves' hyperthyroidism
  • Toxic nodular (adenoma) goitre
    • Single hyperfunctioning nodule
    • Similar presentation to multinodular goitre, but less common [4]


Secondary Hyperthyroidism

  • Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma
  • Thyroiditis
    • Hashimoto thyroiditis
      • Autoimmune disorder
      • Thyroid antibodies and lymphocytic infiltration [5]
      • Painless goitre
      • Initially gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism state) followed by hypothyroidism
    • Subacute painful thyroiditis (de Quervain thyroiditis)[6]
      • May be caused by viral infection
      • Viral prodrome followed by anterior neck pain
      • Tender thyroid (palpation, head movement, swallowing)
      • 50% have symptoms of hyperthyroid lasting 3 - 6 weeks
      • 1/3 have hypothyroidism for up to 6 months
    • Subacute painless thyroiditis [7]
      • Small, non-tender goitre
      • Mild symptoms
      • Autoimmune
    • Postpartum thyroiditis [8]
      • 3 phases:
        • Thyrotoxic phase 2 -6 months postpartum (20-30% have only this phase)
        • Hypothyroid phase lasting 2 -3 months (but may be permanent) (40% have this phase only)
        • Euthyroid phase within first postpartum year
      • Some women develop permanent hypothyroidism
      • 70% recurrence in subsequent pregnancies
    • Suppurative thyroiditis [9]
      • Rare
      • Life-threatening
      • Infection usually bacterial, but can be parasitic, mycobacterial, or fungal
      • Usually have pre-existing thyroid disorder and immune compromise
    • Radiation thyroiditis

Other causes:

  • Apathetic thyrotoxicosis (elderly, masking comorbidities)
  • Metastatic thyroid cancer
  • Iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis
  • Amiodarone-induced thyroiditis [10]
    • Possible mechanisms:
      • Drug-induced destructive thyroiditis
      • Hyperthyroidism caused by iodine load (amiodarone contains a large amount of iodine)
    • Drug-induced thyroiditis may also occur with interleukin-2, Interferon-α, lithium, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, HAART
  • Molar pregnancy

Spectrum of Thyroid Disease

Thyroid physiology

Clinical Features

Bilateral infiltrative thyroid-associated exophthalmos
Enlarged and homogeneous thyroid.
"Plummer's nail" demonstrating onycholysis (separation of the nail from the nail bed). Abnormal nail findings occurs in about 5% of hyperthyroid patients.

Constitutional signs:

Neuropsychiatric:

Ophthalmologic:

  • Diplopia
  • Lid lag
  • Eye irritation
  • Exophthalmos
  • Ophthalmoplegia

Endocrine:

  • Neck fullness/tenderness (thyroid gland)

Cardiorespiratory:

GI:

Reproductive:

  • Oligomenorrhea
  • Gynecomastia
  • Telangiectasia

Gynecologic:

  • Menorrhagia
  • Sparse pubic hair

Hematologic:

Dermatologic:

  • Hair loss
  • Pretibial myxedema
  • Warm, moist skin
  • Palmar erythema
  • Onycholysis

Apathetic hyperthyroidism: (elderly patients)[11]

  • Placid apathetic facies
  • Depression
  • Lethargy
  • Muscular weakness and wasting
  • Excessive weight loss
  • Cardiac dysrhythmias
  • Absent or small goiter
  • Absence of ocular symptoms
  • Agitation and confusion

Differential Diagnosis (Tachycardia)

Evaluation

Workup

  • TSH (↓)
  • Free T4 (↑)
  • Free T3 (↑)

Diagnosis

px200

Management

  • If asymptomatic or mild symptoms, no treatment required in ED
  • If symptomatic, consider Thyroid storm

Disposition

  • If asymptomatic or no thyroid storm, discharge with outpatient follow-up.
  • Admit for significant symptoms or thyroid storm.

See Also

References

  1. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  2. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  3. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  4. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  5. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  6. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  7. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  8. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  9. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  10. Thiessen, M. (2018). Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. Rosen's emergency medicine: Concepts and clinical practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders
  11. Rehman SU et al. Thyroid Disorders in Elderly Patients. South Med J. 2005;98(5):543-549.