Part 4
Janet was sitting in the doctor’s office feeling better than when she came, however she was definitely more anxious. The doctor told her that her problem affected her thyroid gland. She wasn’t producing enough thyroid hormone. This would explain all the symptoms she had been having over the last little while. Dr. Gabriel prescribed medicine for her condition. He gave her the thyroid medicine, levothyroxine, more specifically Synthroid. She was told to take her medicine as directed on the package and to come in six to eight weeks later for a blood test to make sure the dose is right for her. He said that she would be feeling better shortly if she continued taking the medicine and to come in at any time if she started to see the previous symptoms come up again.
Janet left the office and immediately called her husband. She told him the bad news but also that she would hopefully be feeling better soon. She thanked him for telling her to go to the doctor and that she would be home soon.
Janet left the office and immediately called her husband. She told him the bad news but also that she would hopefully be feeling better soon. She thanked him for telling her to go to the doctor and that she would be home soon.
Questions
Q: Draw and describe the negative feedback loop between TSH-RH, TSH, and thyroxine.
Q: What could be the cause of too little thyroxine production in Janet’s body?
Q: In Janet’s case as an adult, would hypothyroidism be referred to as cretinism or myxedema?
Q: What is the common name for the enlargement of the thyroid gland? What is it caused by?
Q: What could be the cause of too little thyroxine production in Janet’s body?
Q: In Janet’s case as an adult, would hypothyroidism be referred to as cretinism or myxedema?
Q: What is the common name for the enlargement of the thyroid gland? What is it caused by?