Thyroid Gland
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Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4) – affect metabolic rate, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, growth and
development, and nervous system activities
Calcitonin – released by thyroid in response to high circulating calcium levels
Increase in synthesis and released of thyroid
hormones. Most common form, Grave’s disease.
Thyrotoxicosis is the physiologic effects/clinical
syndrome of hyperthyroidism.
Clinical Manifestations:
 Increase metabolism
 Increased sensitivity to SNS stimulation
 Goiter
 Ophthalmopathy
 Exophthalmos
 Others – refer to PowerPoint
Hyperthyroidism
Complications: Acute Thyrotoxicosis
 Excessive amounts of hormones released
 Life-threatening emergency
 Thyroidectomy patients at risk
 Tachycardia, HF, shock, hyperthermia,
agitation, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea,
delirium, coma
Interprofessional and Nursing Care:
 Medication (antithyroid, iodine, B-adrenergic
blockers)
 Radioactive iodine therapy
 Surgery
Surgery: Subtotal thyroidectomy
 Removal of 90% of thyroid
Nutritional Therapy:
 High-calorie diet (4,000t to 5,000 cal/day)
 Increased protein and carbohydrate intake
Deficiency of thyroid hormone, causing a general
slowing of metabolic rate.
 Primary – caused by destruction of thyroid
tissue or defective hormone synthesis
 Secondary – caused by pituitary disease
 Iodine deficiency – most common
Clinical Manifestations:
 Slowing of body processes
 Tired, lethargy, impaired memory, low
initiative, weight gain
 Increase susceptibility to infection
 More s/s – refer to power point
Hypothyroidism
Complications: Myxedema Coma
 Impaired consciousness or coma
 Acute Care required
 Subnormal temperature, hypotension,
hypoventilation
 Cardiovascular collapse, cardiac monitoring
 Treated with IV hormone therapy
 Mechanical respiratory support
Interprofessional and Nursing Care:
 Restore euthyroid state as rapidly as possible
 Hormone therapy
 Low-calorie diet to avoid weight gain
 Levothyroxine (Synthroid)