To solve a case study, you may have to refer to the glossary or index, other cha

Question

To solve a case study, you may have to refer to the glossary or index, other chapters in this textbook, and other resources.

George, the chief executive officer of a major institution, was jogging around his summer home when he became distressed at what seemed to be an irregularity of his heart rhythm. His assistants immediately rushed George to a hospital, where he was diagnosed as having atrial fibrillation (uncoordinated contractions of the upper heart chambers). George was even more distressed to hear that he had a specific heart condition, fearing it might disrupt his very active lifestyle. His physicians informed him that the overactivity of his heart—and perhaps other organs—was caused by hyperthyroidism. Explain how hyperthyroidism could cause George’s problems. What strategies might his physicians have available for treating him?

By now you have most likely deduced that Georges symptoms can be explained by an irregular secretion of one of the hormones secreted by the thyroid. Your text discusses another hormone secreted by the thyroid that if it's secretion either increases or decreases, will cause dysfunction. Name the hormone and its associated dysfunctions. How would a physician treat this?

Explanation / Answer

Hormones are the chemical messengers secreted by “endocrine glands” in to the systemic circulation, through which they reach the target site. Hormones regulate various physiological and behavioural activities of the body. Thyroid gland is one of the endocrine glands that produce thyroxin (T3) and triiodothyronine (T4).

The increased secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from the anterior pituitary gland causes hypersecretion of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism), otherwise called as Grave’s disease.

In the given example, the symptoms of patient like emotional stress, atrial fibrillation, increased pulse rate and nervousness, tremor in fingers are noticeable, which indicate the increased basal metabolic rate and utilization of glucose. This condition indicates the Hypersecretion of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism), otherwise called as Grave’s disease. This is because of increased secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary gland. In the patients with hyperthyroidism, increased motility of gastrointestinal tract causes diarrhoea.

To confirm the hyperthyroidism in the present patient, the physician should check for blood levels of TSH, thyroxin (T3) and triiodothyronine (T4). Specific raise in the levels of these hormones can be noticed in hyperthyroidism condition. By doing these tests, the physician can also explain whether the condition is primary (due to thyroid gland abnormal function) or secondary (a problem of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid gland axis).

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