Question

Amelia has had her thyroid gland surgically removed. She takes thyroxine daily and periodicslly has her blood levels checked for T4 & TSH.

1. What would be some of Amelias symptoms if she didnt take her medication?

2. What would be some of Amelias symptoms if she took an overdose of her current medication over an extended period of time?

3. How does Thyroxine in her pills affect her blood levels of TSH?

4. If the does of thyroxine is too low/high what would happen to her levels of T4 and TSH?

Answer 1

1. If she didn’t take her medication. Then there will no thyroxine - T4. This leads to decreased basal metabolic rate ( B.M.R ). Symptoms - Decreased heart rate, weight gain, fatigue ,lethargy and skin is cold. - Hypothyroidism.

2. If she overdoses the medication. Then it leads to hyperthyroidism. Excessive T4 levels in blood.

Symptoms - increased basal metabolic rate (BMR), increased heart rate , palpitations, skin is moist and warm. Starring appearance - Gravesopthalmopathy.

3. After taking thyroxine pills, thyroxine or T4 levels increase in blood and this decreases TSH levels in blood by negative feedback mechanism.

4. If T4 levels are low then TSH levels increased in the blood.

If , T4 levels are high then TSH levels decreased in the blood.