hypothyroidism, secondary…

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primary, secondary hypothyroidism, thyroid gland, pituitary hypothyroidism, secondary hypothyroidism involves decreased activity, the thyroid, the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, important organ, the endocrine system, in the front, the neck just below the voicebox, thyroid secretes the hormones thyroxine, t4, triiodothyronine, t3, calcitonin, control body metabolism, regulate calcium balance, secretion of t3, t4 by the thyroid, controlled, endocrine feedback system involving the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, structures, in the brain, lowered levels of these thyroid hormones result in increased levels of pituitary, hypothalamic hormones, reverse is also true, levels, the thyroid hormones rise, pituitary, hypothalamic hormones fall back, helps keep levels appropriately balanced, the thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thyroid disorders, result not only from defects, in the thyroid but, disruption, the control system in these other organs, thyroid disorders, overproduction of thyroid hormones, hyperthyroidism, underproduction of these hormones is known, hypothyroidism, secondary hypothyroidism is failure, the pituitary gland to secrete thyroid stimulating hormone, tsh, a tumor, in the region, the pituitary, rarely the cause, infiltration, the pituitary by inflammatory cells, immune system, foreign substances, iron in hemochromotosis, hypothyroidism, a variety of symptoms, affect all body functions, body's normal rate of functioning slows, causing mental, physical sluggishness, from mild to severe, most severe form, myxedema, medical emergency, lead to coma, death, risk factors, secondary hypothyroidism include over 50 years old, female, having a history of pituitary, hypothalamic dysfunction, early symptoms, weakness, fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, weight gain, depression, joint, muscle pain, brittle fingernails, coarseness, thinning of hair, late symptoms, slow speech, dry, flaky skin, thickening, the skin, puffy face, hands, feet, decreased hearing, thinning of eyebrows, hoarseness, menstrual disorders, a physical exam, reveals a small thyroid gland, vital signs, temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure, reveal a slow heart rate, low blood pressure, low temperature, a chest x-ray, reveal an enlarged heart, laboratory tests, thyroid function, free t4 test, total t3, serum tsh, generally low in secondary hypothyroidism, the pituitary is damaged, high values, additional laboratory abnormalities, increased cholesterol levels, increased liver enzymes, increased serum prolactin, low serum sodium, low blood glucose, a cbc that shows anemia, deficiency, excess of other pituitary hormones, imaging, an mri, the pituitary to look, tumor, purpose of treatment, replace the deficient thyroid hormone, levothyroxine, most commonly used medication, lowest dose effective in normalizing thyroid function is used, life-long therapy necessary, medication must be continued, symptoms subside, after replacement therapy has begun, report any symptoms of increased thyroid activity, hyperthyroidism, restlessness, rapid weight loss, sweating, a high-fiber, low-calorie diet, moderate activity, help relieve constipation, promote weight loss, weight was gained, time, thyroid activity was low, in individuals, accompanying hypoadrenalism, steroid replacement must be instituted, thyroid replacement is begun, in patients, hypothyroidism, a pituitary tumor, surgery required, surgery, not cure the hypothyroidism, thyroid replacement, still be needed, myxedema coma is treated by intravenous, iv, thyroid replacement, steroid therapy, supportive therapy of oxygen, assisted ventilation, fluid replacement, intensive care nursing indicated, early treatment, normal state is usual, relapses, occur medication is not continued, myxedema coma, result in death, myxedema coma, most severe form of hypothyroidism, rare, precipitated, infection, illness, exposure to cold, certain medications, signs of myxedema coma, unresponsiveness, decreased breathing, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, below-normal temperature, complications, heart disease, infertility, miscarriage in pregnant women, adrenal crisis, thyroid replacement is begun, prior to steroids in hypoadrenal patients, signs of hypothyroidism, chest pain, rapid heartbeat occur, restlessness, rapid weight loss, sweating, symptoms occur after beginning treatment, headache, visual loss, breast discharge occur, not be preventable, awareness of risk, allow early diagnosis, treatment.