Hyperthyroidism

Data gathering

• Red flags – fever, abdo pains, vomiting, ongoing palpitations
• Other – weight loss, tremor, palpitations, diarrhoea, anxiety, neck swelling, eye
• Examine – BP, pulse, CV exam, Thyroid exam

Clinical management

• Investigations
  • Bloods
  • ECG
  • USS thyroid

• Explanation
  • thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that helps with body functions such as how fast the heart beats, mood, bowels – having an overactive thyroid can result in a faster metabolism leading to palpitations, tremor, diarrhoea, anxiety

• Treatment
  • Beta Blocker – tremor/tachycardia
  • Refer – carbimazole/propylthiouracil/radio-iodine/surgery

• Safety net/follow up

Thyroid examination

• Obs – pulse, BP, temperature
• Inspect – hyperactive, sweats, skin, hair, eyes and neck
• Hands – tremor, nails
• Pulse – tachy
• Thyroid – feel from behind