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Case 5
30-year-old female with palpitations - Ms. Waters
Author: Katherine Margo, MD; University of Pennsylvania
Learning Objectives:
1. Create a differential diagnosis of palpitations.
2. Describe the common presentations of hyperthyroidism.
3. Demonstrate the common physical findings in hyperthyroidism: Lid lag,
tremor, and hyperreflexia.
4. List the common causes of hyperthyroidism.
5. Explain the initial evaluation of a patient with suspected hyperthyroidism.
6. Discuss the usual course of a patient with Graves' disease after radioactive
iodine (RAI) treatment.
7. Discuss the treatment of hypothyroidism after RAI treatment.
Summary of Clinical Scenario: Ms. Waters is a 30-year-old woman who
presents with her partner to the clinic after several weeks of palpitations
associated with mild dyspnea, increased sweating, and some exercise intolerance.
She has also noticed weight loss, light periods, and loose stools. Exam reveals
tachycardia, lid lag, hyperreflexia of deep tendon reflexes, two beats of ankle
clonus, and fine tremor. After careful consideration of the differential diagnosis,
electrocardiogram (ECG), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and
complete blood count are obtained. The results confirm a diagnosis of
hyperthyroidism. The patient is given propranolol for adrenergic symptoms and
sent for a radioactive iodine uptake scan. Diffuse increased radioactive iodine
uptake despite low TSH confirms the diagnosis of Graves disease. After being
educated about her treatment options, the patient chooses to take radioactive
iodine and is followed for several months until she returns with hypothyroid
symptoms, which are also treated.
Dyspnea
Increased sweating
Light periods
Loose stools
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Weight loss
Lid Lag
Thyroid enlargement
Systolic murmur
Hyperreflexia
Clonus
Tremor
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Anxiety / panic disorder
Differential Diagnosis
Anemia
Hyperthyroidism
Drug / caffeine abuse
Final Diagnosis
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Cardiac
Arrhythmias
Cardiomyopathy
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according to the age of the patient, the duration of the illness, the magnitude of
hormone excess, and presence of comorbid conditions. Symptoms are related to
the thyroid hormone's stimulation of catabolism, and enhancement of sensitivity
to catecholamines.
Tachycardia (96%)
Tachycardia (71%)
Fatigue (84%)
Fatigue (56%)
Weight loss
Atrial fibrillation
Many other typical symptoms
of hyperthyroidism are absent
in patients older than 70
Light periods
Pathophysiology:
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Skills
Physical exam:
Thyroid exam:
1. Locate the thyroid gland using the thyroid cartilage as a landmark and
moving the sternocleidomastoid muscle out of the way.
2. Have patient take a sip of water, as swallowing elevates the thyroid and
eases palpation.
3. Use your left hand to fix the gland in place while your right hand palpates
the right lobe, and vice versa.
4. Note tenderness, size, and presence of nodules.
Deep tendon reflexes (DTRs): Always compare each reflex immediately with its
contralateral counterpart so you detect any asymmetries:
Biceps reflex: Use your finger to identify the biceps brachii tendon and tap
over that finger with the reflex hammer.
Triceps reflex: Hang patients forearm loose at a right angle to place the
triceps brachii tendon under gentle tension to elicit reflex and tap tendon
with the reflex hammer.
Patellar reflex: Have patient dangle his legs off of the examination table
and strike the patellar tendon just below the patella with the reflex hammer.
Ankle reflex: Apply gentle dorsiflexion while tapping Achilles tendon with
the reflex hammer.
If reflexes are difficult to elicit, increase tone by having patient pull clenched
hands apart or clenching his teeth.
Other neurological findings:
Ankle clonus: Elicited by rapidly dorsiflexing the foot, causing alternate
contraction and relaxation of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.
Tremor: Elicited by having patient stretch out his arms and close his eyes.
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Lid lag: This may be elicited by asking the patient to follow with his eyes
your finger moving slowly from her upper to lower field of vision. In lid lag,
the upper eyelid lags behind the upper edge of the iris as the eye moves
downward. Be careful when performing this maneuver, if the object (your
finger) is moved too quickly, the diagnosis may be missed.
Differential diagnosis:
1. Cardiac arrhythmias: Commonly cause palpitations, particularly when the
heartbeat is fast, though most people with arrhythmias do not notice
palpitations. Symptoms, when present, can be palpitations from rapid or
irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Some arrhythmias, like paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, are more
common in young people. Stress can cause arrhythmias due to adrenergic
overdrive.
2. Anxiety and panic disorder: Commonly cause palpitations and shortness
of breath. May be difficult to distinguish anxiety from hyperthyroidism, as
tachycardia, tremulousness, irritability, weakness, and fatigue are common
to both disorders. In anxiety, however, the peripheral manifestations of
excess thyroid hormones are absent; the skin is usually cold and clammy
rather than warm and moist. In anxious patients, weight loss usually occurs
due to anorexia as opposed to the increased appetite seen in
hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, panic attacks are distinct episodes of fear
and panic triggered by a particular place or event, or for no apparent
reason. A reasonable screening test for panic disorder is to ask, Have you
experienced brief periods, for seconds or minutes, of an overwhelming panic
or terror that was accompanied by racing heartbeats, shortness of breath,
or dizziness? Patients often underestimate how much stress they are under
and how much it can affect them. Especially in the setting of high stress,
palpitations are likely to be due to anxiety or panic disorder. In one
prospective study of 190 patients at a university medical center, 31% of
palpitations were due to anxiety or panic disorder.
3. Anemia: May cause palpitations because of tachycardia from hypovolemia.
The heart responds to low blood volume by speeding up to increase the
exposure of the blood to oxygenation in the lungs. Anemia can cause
dyspnea on exertion because of the lack of oxygen carrying capacity of the
blood. A common source of anemia in menstruating women is heavy
periods. It is unusual in young people to be losing blood from other sites
without obvious trauma. If the anemia is caused by a nutritional deficiency
(iron, vitamin B12 or folate), it may also be associated with weight loss.
4. Hyperthyroidism: Palpitations caused by tachycardia. The increase in
thyroid hormone increases the metabolism, including heart rate. In
hyperthyroidism, weight loss occurs despite increased appetite. Other
effects of hyperthyroidism are loose stools, hyperdefecation, light periods,
and sleep disturbance.
5. Drug/caffeine abuse: Most patients tell the truth about caffeine use,
though it is important to consider sources other than coffee and tea, such as
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many sodas. Street drugs, such as cocaine and even alcohol, can also cause
tachycardia. Caffeine and other drugs that cause palpitations (e.g.,
amphetamines, dextroamphetamines) can also cause weight loss. A high
index of suspicion should be maintained if someone has no other obvious
cause of palpitations and has other signs such as dilated pupils, increased
energy, increased blood pressure, and unusual behavior. Most people who
use cocaine would be unlikely to present to a physician office in this
manner.
Less likely diagnoses:
Dehydration causing hypovolemia can cause tachycardia. Usually an acute
presentation. Also associated with orthostatic symptoms, such as dizziness.
Although aortic stenosis has been known to cause palpitations and, most
ominously, syncope, it is usually associated with chest pain or dizziness.
Studies:
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Increased levels of TSH = hypothyroid
Decreased levels of TSH = hyperthyroid
Thyroid hormone (thyroxine, or T4): While TSH level is usually sufficient to
diagnose either hypo- or hyperthyroidism, if pituitary pathology is interfering with
the feedback cycle, TSH may not accurately reflect the levels of circulating thyroid
hormone, and drawing a T4 level will help in the investigation.
Utility of TSH and T4 in evaluation of suspected thyroid disease
TSH
Serum Free T4
Condition indicated
Increased
Decreased
Hypothyroidism
Mildly elevated
(5-10 mIU/L)
Normal
Subclinical hypothyroidism
Inappropriately
normal
Increased
Pituitary adenoma
(TSH-producing) or thyroid
hormone resistance
Decreased
Increased
Thyrotoxicosis
(hyperthyroidism)
TSH decreased
(may occasionally
be normal or
slightly elevated)
Decreased
TSH decreased
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Serum T3
Increased
Silent thyroiditis
Iodine induced
Exogenous L-Thyroxine
HCG-secreting tumor
Struma ovarii
Amiodarone
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Management:
Hyperthyroidism:
Propranolol, a beta-blocker, can be used for symptomatic relief of adrenergic
symptoms (tachycardia, tremor, heat intolerance).
Patients diagnosed with Graves disease should be referred to an
ophthalmologist.
Medications:
Block thyroid gland from making more thyroid hormone
Side effects: Minimal, but low white blood cell count in < 1% of patients
Clinical improvement usually seen after one month, but three months before
thyroid level decreases
Treatment duration: Several years (> 50% of patients become hyperthyroid
when they cease medications)
Requires regular blood monitoring to keep dose optimal. Symptoms and
dose may fluctuate
May try this option initially and switch to radioactive iodine later.
Oral radioactive iodine (single dose):
Side effects: Transient (a few days) soreness of the neck or brief worsening
of symptoms. People with ophthalmopathy may experience worsening of
symptoms.
Over a few months the radioactive iodine destroys many of the overactive
thyroid cells, so that the level of thyroid hormone in the blood decreases.
Occasionally a second dose may be needed.
Eventually many patients become hypothyroid and need to take small doses
of replacement thyroid hormone.
Fewer European patients choose radioactive iodine compared to the U.S.,
where > 70% of patients choose this treatment.
Obtain pregnancy test prior to initiating radioactive iodine treatment. Also,
patient should not be near pregnant women or young children for several
days. Exposure of fetus or young child to radioactive iodine could result in
deleterious effect on their thyroid.
May be able to discontinue propranolol in a few months.
Check TSH every two to three months until it has stabilized and every six or
so months thereafter.
Expect patient to become hypothyroid at some point. Alert them to
symptoms of hypothyroidism in advance, so they can be tested earlier if
need be.
Surgery:
Not usually recommended as first-line therapy
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism is easier to manage than hyperthyroidism once the correct dose
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