Manifestations of thyrotoxicosis

• mental: nervousness, irritability

• nutritional: weight loss, despite increased appetite

• metabolism: glucose intolerance because thyroid hormone stimulates enzymes in the liver that stimulate amino acids to glucose

• temperature: heat intolerance, flushing, sweating

• kinetics: hyperactive state

• GI: hypermotility, diarrhea, vomiting

• cardiac: high-output cardiac failure

• ectodermal: moist skin, fine hair

• bone: hypercalcemia, osteoporosis

• eyes: ophthalmopathy (lid lag, stare); infiltrative exophthalmos (which occurs in the absence of hyperthyroidism in Graves disease)

• unusual symptomatology: gynecomastia, vomiting, myasthenia, periodic paralysis

Most common symptoms and signs in thyrotoxicosis

• symptoms: the room is always too hot; pounding heartbeat

• signs: tachycardia (pulse > 100) in 100%, eye signs, atrial fibrillation

Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism

• signs and symptoms, including nervousness, heat intolerance, tachycardia

• confirm with thyroid function tests: TSH↓, free T4↑, sometimes only T3↑ in very early manifestations of Graves disease

Category: Pathology Notes