Regarding Disorders Of The Thyroid Gland answer the following questions...
1. What are the key features in a patient's history that are important in assessing for a possible functional thyroid disorder?
2. What are the important physical examination findings?
3. What laboratory data are used to confirm or refute the existence of a functional thyroid abnormality?
Answers And Discussion
1. What are the key features in a patient's history that are important in assessing for a possible functional thyroid disorder?
When assessing a patient's history for clues to a functional thyroid disease, it is important to keep in mind that thyroid hormones in general control metabolism. Therefore, when questioning patients about their medical history, it is important to ask specifically about elements related to metabolism.
For example, in the setting of hyperthyroidism,
- weight loss,
- anxiety,
- tremor,
- palpitations,
- heat intolerance,
- hyperdefecation,
- insomnia,
- restlessness, and
- changes in the hair or skin are important features.
In contrast, in patients with suspected hypothyroidism, look for clues that indicate decreased metabolic activity. These include
