Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Hypothyroidism - secondary

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Pituitary hypothyroidism


Symptoms

Early symptoms:

  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Cold intolerance
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain
  • Depression
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Brittle fingernails
  • Coarseness, thinning of hair
  • Slow speech
  • Dry, flaky skin
  • Thickening of the skin
  • Puffy face, hands, and feet
  • Decreased hearing
  • Thinning of eyebrows
  • Hoarseness
  • Menstrual disorders

Signs and tests

A physical exam usually reveals a small thyroid gland. Vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) reveal a slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and low temperature.

A chest x-ray may reveal an enlarged heart.

Laboratory tests to determine thyroid function include:

  • Free T4 test
  • Total T3
  • Serum TSH -- Results are generally low in secondary hypothyroidism because the pituitary is damaged. However, normal or even high values may be seen.

Additional laboratory abnormalities may include:

  • Increased cholesterol levels
  • Increased liver enzymes
  • Increased serum prolactin
  • Low serum sodium
  • Low blood glucose
  • A CBC that shows anemia
  • Deficiency or excess of other pituitary hormones

Imaging will include an MRI of the pituitary to look for a tumor.


Review Date: 08/08/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)