Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Academic Term
Summer 2015
Document Type
Project
Course Number
NURS 5330
Course Name
Advanced Pathophysiology
Professor’s Name
John D. Chovan, James. R. Cacchillo
Keywords
Silent Thyroiditis, Postpartum Thyroiditis
Subject Categories
Endocrine System Diseases | Medical Pathology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing
Abstract
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and has a widespread function that controls multiple organ systems and processes. The main function of the thyroid gland is to produce and secrete two different thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), both of which help to meet the metabolic demands of the entire body. When the thyroid gland fails to produce T3/T4 hormones (primary gland failure) or is not activated successfully by the pituitary gland (by the release of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)), or hypothalamus, this results in low levels of circulating thyroid hormone. As low levels of the circulating thyroid hormones continue, an overall slowing of the person’s metabolism occurs. This underactive thyroid disease is called hypothyroidism (Chiasera, 2013). Although there are several causes for hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in United States and is thought to be associated with genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. HT is a chronic autoimmune disease and can present itself in an aggressive form or a mild form such as silent thyroiditis or postpartum thyroiditis leading to an undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Regardless of the virulence of the disease, HT can become serious if left untreated (Davies, 2015).
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Patty, "Hashimoto’s Disease: The Underactive Thyroid Disease" (2015). Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN). 121.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_msn/121