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IPLab:Lab 6:Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

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Contents

Clinical SummaryEdit

This was a 49-year-old woman who complained during her yearly physical examination of tiredness and difficulty concentrating. She attributed these symptoms to stress at work. She had gained weight over the last year and despite warm weather, she felt chilled without a sweater. Family history was significant for hypothyroidism in her mother and older sister. On physical examination she had a pulse of 58 bpm and a blood pressure of 138/88 mm Hg. Examination of her neck disclosed a small thyroid gland with a palpable pyramidal lobe and a firm, bosselated texture. Serum taken at this time demonstrated a total T4 of 7.0 mcg/dL and a TSH of 22.0 mcIU/ml. In addition, antithyroglobulin antibodies were positive at 1:640 and antimicrosomal antibodies were positive at 1:5120. These results supported the clinical impression of hypothyroidism; also, the texture of her thyroid gland and a positive family history suggested an autoimmune etiological factor. She was referred to an endocrinologist for further evaluation; however, before beginning treatment she died suddenly from a ruptured berry aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery.

Autopsy FindingsEdit

At autopsy, significant subarachnoid hemorrhage from the ruptured berry aneurysm was documented. In addition, the thyroid gland was mildly enlarged and firm. On cut section the tissue was slightly pale.

ImagesEdit

Study QuestionsEdit


Additional ResourcesEdit

Related IPLab CasesEdit

A normal pulse rate is 60 to 100 bpm.

A normal blood pressure reading would be 120/80 mm Hg.

Bosselated means covered with rounded protuberances.

A normal T4 level is 4 to 11 mcg/dL.

A normal TSH level is 0.32 to 5.00 mcIU/dL.

Antithyroglobulin antibodies are autoimmune antibodies directed against thyroglobulin. Over half of all patients with Hashimotos thyroiditis have positive titers, although they are also found in other types of thyroiditis.

Antimicrosomal antibodies are autoimmune antibodies directed at the thyroid gland. They are seen in almost all patients with Hashimotos thyroiditis.

Autoimmune disorders involve an immune response directed at the host's own cells.

A berry aneurysm is a small saccular arterial aneurysm usually found at a vessel junction in the circle of Willis. These aneurysms frequently rupture, causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage.