THYROID TRIVIA......

Apathy....surprisingly, is the major symptom of APATHETIC HYPERTHYROIDISM.
The disorder occurs in elderly/debilitated patients in whom progressive apathy is the presenting
chief complaint. Mistakenly depression or dementia is often diagnosed.


Today, we'll continue with common thyroid related issues, encountered in practice
and for certain, on your boards.



Q: What is the drug of choice for the treatment of THYROID STORM?


A: PTU...(Propylthyouracil) is the preferred drug, as it has additional benefit over
Methimazole(MMI), by decreasing the peripheral converion of T4 to T3.



Q: Which THYROID NODULES are usually MALIGNANT...Cold or Hot?


A: COLD NODULES....(HINT: Cold=Cancerous). About 15-20% of Cold nodules
are malignant, while only about 1% of the Hot nodules are....good to know!!!



Q: Which type of PRIMARY thyroid cancer is the MOST COMMON?


A: PAPILLARY type...has an excellent prognosis with >95% 10 year survival
for early stage disease.



Q: Which type of PRIMARY thyroid cancer has WORST PROGNOSIS?


A: ANAPLASTIC type...it usually affects older men and women....since cell
types are undifferentiated...survival is dismal.



Q: Which type of THYROIDITIS causes CONSTITUTIONAL SYMPTOMS...fever/chills
with a tender-enlarged thyroid gland and an elevated ESR?


A: SUBACUTE (DeQUERVAIN'S) THYROIDITIS...a self limited, probable viral
disorder, usually treated with NSAID's and steroids.




To ponder until the next posting:....What is the major LIFE THREATENING complication
of HYPOTHYROIDISM, requering emergency diagnosis and treatment?



Again, thanks for your time.