Blood tests confirm a diagnosis of Grave\'s Disease, an autoimmune disorder and
ID: 239953 • Letter: B
Question
Blood tests confirm a diagnosis of Grave's Disease, an autoimmune disorder and a type of hyperthyroidism. What defining hormone would you expect to find elevated in her lab report considering her diagnosis? A. B. Describe the etiology and pathophysiology (mechanism of normal physiology disruption) behind Grave's Disease. C. Many of the signs and symptoms of Grave's and other related forms of hyperthyroidism result in an over stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Based upon your prior studies in A & P, which of the signs and symptoms listed above can be explained by over activity of the SNS? You later learn from this woman that she has been experiencing these symptoms for quite a while, first noticing them after the birth of her last child. She was slow to come in because she appeared to be having great success with weight loss after the baby, unlike after the birth of her other two children. D. Explain why the delay in seeking treatment wasn't such a good idea, why it is important to treat patients with Grave's Disease and other causes of hyperthyroidism. In other words, what are possible consequences of uncontrolled hyperthyroidism? [Make sure your answer is not limited to "Thyroid Storm" which is a rather rare and extreme occurrence.] References:Explanation / Answer
The antibodies produced in graves disease stimulate TSH receptors on thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine. There occurs a mis-interpretation that TSH levels are too high because antibodies mimic TSH even in its absence. hence results in a goitre. Antibodies from Graves disease stimulate her TSH receptors of Thyroid gland, creating illusion that her body has lot of TSH. As a result, the brain signals to stop the secretion of more TSH hence causing low levels of TSH.
The Grave's disease is an autoimmune disorder. Induction of hyperthyroidism i.e. elevated levels of thyroid hormone with low levels of TSH along with T3 and T4 occur in this disease. According to pre-clinical and clinical researches, it has been found that the patient with Grave's disease generates antibodies which themselves bind to the TSH-receptors on the cells thus up-regulating release of T3 and T4. Since the body is not able to detect between self and non-self cells, these antibodies repeatedly bind to the TSH-receptors and thus lead to over-secretion of T3 and T4. Further, since the circulatory levels of thyroid hormone are increased under this scenario, the pituitary gland keeps on releasing more amount of TSH due to binding of antibodies on the TSH-receptors. This impairs the negative feedback loop inhibition mechanism. Consequently, the patient is normally diagnosed with elevated levels of thyroid hormone and low circulatory levels of TSH.
Common Graves’ disease symptoms are:
fatigue
increased sweating
anxiety
muscle weakness
rapid or irregular heartbeat
Insomnia
elevated blood pressure
irregular menstrual periods
irritability or nervousness
more frequent stools and/or diarrhea
Treatment:
Anti-thyroid medicationsAdvantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
The medication plays a significant role in Graves’ disease. It reduced the symptoms of disease by preventing the production of thyroid hormones in body.
Disadvantages:
1. Skin rashes and itching
2. Nausea
3. Heartburn
4. Loss of taste
Radioactive iodineAdvantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Radioactive iodinetreatment was given in a small pill. So there is no usually a difficulty in this treatment.
Disadvantages:
It causes delayed hypothyroidism due to the usage of high radioactive iodine in the treatment.
SurgeryAdvantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
In the condition of hyperthyroidism, surgery is the most preferable treatment because it has few complications (low mortality rates, avoid risks from radioactive iodine and anti-thyroid medications)
Disadvantages:
In some time surgery may results…
1. Bleeding
2. Damages vocal cords and larynx
3. Thyroid hormones level increases.