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Hypothyroidism vs Hyperthyroidism NCLEX Review

Hypothyroidism vs Hyperthyroidism NCLEX review notes: This article will give you the differences between hypo and hyperthyroidism in regards to causes, complications, signs and symptoms, and treatments.

Many students get these two conditions confused so I wanted these review notes to simplify the differences. Don’t forget to test your knowledge on hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism by taking the hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism quiz.

Video on Hypothyroidism vs Hyperthyroidism

Hypo and Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism

Definition: Excessive production of thyroid hormones

  • Thyroid hormones play a role in burning calories, stimulating sympathetic nervous system (reflex, responses), increasing heart rate/blood pressure, and how fast we digest food

Causes:

  • Too much Iodine
  • Grave’s Disease (autoimmune disorder where the body produces TSI which the body thinks is TSH…and this causes the thyroid gland to release excessive amounts of T3 and T4)
  • Toxic Nodular Goiter (nodular growths that produce excessive thyroid hormone)
  • Thyroid replacement medication toxicity

Life-threatening Complications:

Thyroid Storm

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Weight Loss
  • Heat intolerance
  • Goiter (both)
  • Restless, irritable
  • Fast Heart Rate
  • Hair Loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Unable to focus mentally
  • Oily skin
  • Nervousness
  • Menstrual problems (both)

Treatments:

  • Antithyroid medications such as:
    • Tapazole “Methimazole”
    • PTU
    • Iodide solution “lugol’s solution
  • Beta blockers: Inderal
  • Radioactive iodine therapy
  • Thyroidectomy

-Avoid Salicylates and foods/supplement with iodine (increases thyroid hormone).

Hypothyroidism

Definition: Low production of thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormones play a role in burning calories, stimulating sympathetic nervous system (reflex, responses), increasing heart rate/blood pressure, and how fast we digest food

Causes:

  • Not enough Iodine
  • Hashimotos:  (autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the thyroid gland)
  • Antithyroid medication toxicity used to treat hyperthyroidism
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Pituitary tumor (stop the anterior pituitary gland from secreting TSH which stimulates the thyroid to release T3 and T4)

Life-threatening Complications:

Myxedema Coma

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Weight Gain
  • Unable to tolerate cold
  • Possible goiter from constant thyroid stimulation to get the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4 MOST COMMON SIGN IN HASHIMOTO’S
  • Extremely tired and fatigued
  • Slow heart rate
  • Thinning and brittle hair
  • Constipation
  • Memory loss
  • Myxedema: swelling of the skin (eyes and face) that gives it a waxy appearance
  • Dry skin
  • Depression
  • Menstrual problems (irregular or heavy periods)

Treatments:

  • Thyroid Hormone replacement (Synthroid, Thyrolar, Cytomel)
  • Avoid sedatives and narcotics because these patients are very sensitive to them and they increase the chances of myxedema coma

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