Thyroid Medication

Question 1

What does T3/T4 do in your body

Answer 1

Increase metabolism, stimulation of heart, growth and development

Question 2

Grave’s disease causes hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism

Answer 2

Hyperthyroidism

Question 3

Hashimoto’s disease causes hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism?

Answer 3

Hypothyroidism

Question 4

What are signs of Hypothyroidism

Answer 4

Tired, weight gain, cold intolerance, depression, constipation. Infants can develop cretinism which causes mental retardation and skeletal abnormalities

Question 5

What are signs of hyperthyroidism?

Answer 5

hyperactivity, sweating, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, weightloss, heat intolerance, osteoporosis

Question 6

What medication is prescribed for Hypothyroidism and what are some high yield concepts when taking this drug?

Answer 6

Levothyroxine is synthetic T4
1. insomnia and absorption issues when taken in afternoon with food. Best to take it in the morning on an empty stomach
2. Drug interactions with calcium, iron, warfarin, phenytoin
3. wait 4 hours before taking antacids, iron, or calcium.
4. Levothyroxine increases effects of warfarin but phenytoin decreases effectiveness of levothyroxine
5. Drug toxicity = symptoms of hyperthyroidism, Life long therapy, narrow therapeutic index: high TSH = increase the dose, lose TSH = reduce dose, TSH levels should be closely monitored
6. Consult with a provider before changing brands

Question 7

what medication is prescribed for hyperthyroidism?

Answer 7

Methimazole

Question 8

What are some precautions when taking Methimazole

Answer 8

Methimazole is for hyperthyroidism, it takes several weeks to see an effect
1. Overmedication can cause hypothyroidism
2. Agranulocytosis is a serious complication of taking Methimazole and clients should report signs of infection (sore throat and fever)