Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Other Thyroid Disorders
Number of Conditions: 3
Goiter (Enlarged Thyroid)
Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Category: Thyroid Disorders
Sub-category: Other Thyroid Disorders
Symptoms:
swelling in the neck; difficulty swallowing or breathing (in severe cases); tightness in the throat; hoarseness; visible lump in the neck; cough
Root Cause:
Enlargement of the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency, autoimmune conditions (e.g., Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease), or nodules.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4 levels), ultrasound of the thyroid, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy if nodules are present.
Treatment:
Treatment depends on the cause. Options include iodine supplementation, hormone replacement therapy, antithyroid medications, or surgery (thyroidectomy) if the goiter is large or compressive.
Medications:
Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement therapy, a synthetic form of T4); antithyroid drugs like methimazole or propylthiouracil (if caused by hyperthyroidism).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 200 million people globally, with higher prevalence in areas of iodine deficiency.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Iodine deficiency, female sex, age (older adults), family history of thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, radiation exposure.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases are manageable with treatment; prognosis depends on the underlying cause. Goiters due to iodine deficiency or simple enlargement often resolve with treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Obstructive symptoms (tracheal or esophageal compression), cosmetic concerns, thyrotoxicosis, or hypothyroidism.
Thyroid Storm (Thyrotoxic Crisis)
Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Category: Thyroid Disorders
Sub-category: Other Thyroid Disorders
Symptoms:
high fever; rapid heart rate (tachycardia); nervousness or anxiety; tremors; confusion; diarrhea; vomiting; extreme fatigue; shortness of breath
Root Cause:
Severe, life-threatening exacerbation of hyperthyroidism, often triggered by infection, surgery, trauma, or untreated Graves' disease.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical presentation (severe hyperthyroid symptoms), lab tests showing suppressed TSH and elevated T3/T4 levels, alongside exclusion of other conditions (e.g., sepsis).
Treatment:
Immediate hospitalization, beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol) for symptom control, antithyroid medications (e.g., methimazole or propylthiouracil), iodine to inhibit thyroid hormone release, and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
Medications:
Methimazole or propylthiouracil (antithyroid drugs); propranolol (beta-blocker); potassium iodide (iodine preparation ); hydrocortisone (corticosteroid).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, occurring in approximately 1–2% of patients with untreated or poorly managed hyperthyroidism.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Untreated hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, recent surgery, infection, pregnancy, or iodine exposure.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
High mortality if untreated (up to 30%); prognosis improves significantly with prompt treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure, arrhythmias, multiple organ failure, death.
Euthyroid Sick Syndrome
Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Category: Thyroid Disorders
Sub-category: Other Thyroid Disorders
Symptoms:
no specific thyroid symptoms; may have fatigue or symptoms related to the underlying illness causing the syndrome
Root Cause:
Abnormal thyroid function tests in the setting of a non-thyroidal illness (e.g., infection, trauma, or surgery) without intrinsic thyroid gland dysfunction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Lab tests showing low T3 (triiodothyronine), normal or low T4 (thyroxine), and normal or low TSH, in the context of an acute or chronic non-thyroidal illness.
Treatment:
Treatment is aimed at addressing the underlying illness. Thyroid hormone replacement is not recommended unless true hypothyroidism is present.
Medications:
No specific thyroid medications; treatment focuses on managing the primary illness causing the syndrome.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in critically ill patients, with prevalence varying depending on the severity of the underlying illness.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Severe illness, sepsis, trauma, surgery, malnutrition, or chronic diseases (e.g., heart failure, liver disease).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Resolves with recovery from the underlying illness; thyroid function usually normalizes without specific thyroid treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare; complications are typically related to the underlying illness rather than the syndrome itself.