Eypothyroidism Essay
A 42-year-old female presents to the clinic with complaints of fatigue, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, menstrual changes, and loss of hair. The patient is wearing a thick sweater and it is early October in Phoenix. When you ask the patient about why she is wearing a sweater, you find out that she “has been feeling cold all the time.” What tests would the FNP run on this patient? What are the possible diagnosis and treatment plan for this patient? Eypothyroidism Essay.
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This case involves a 42-year-old female presenting with the complaints of anorexia, weakness, fatigue, changes in menstruation, loss of hair and weight loss. The patient also reports of progressively feeling cold hence, she wears a thick sweater when it is early in the month of October in Phoenix.
Tests that a Family Nurse Practitioner Would Run on This Patient
The tests that a Family Nurse Practitioner can run on this patient include; a thyroid function test which establishes the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone in blood. This test would reveal an elevated level of thyroid stimulating hormone in blood a revelation that the thyroid is no longer producing enough thyroid hormone (McArthur & Merz, 2014). Additional tests include; a liver function test and a kidney function test. Generally, liver enzymes and creatinine kinase are mildly elevated in blood in patients with the aforementioned symptoms. A T4 test should also be done whereby, most of the T4 indexes are often unattached in blood. A magnetic resonance imaging of the brain can also be done to ascertain the exact cause as hypothalamic or pituitary problems (McArthur & Merz, 2014). For patients with a mass/swelling on the neck, an MRI can also be done to confirm diagnosis Eypothyroidism Essay.
Possible Diagnosis and Treatment Plan for This Patient
The possible diagnosis for this patient is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is also called underactive thyroid which is an endocrine disorder whereby the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone (McArthur & Merz, 2014). Its treatment starts with hormone replacement therapy where levothyroxine is prescribed for use whose dose adjustments are dependent on weight. Levothyroxine is taken four hours after feeding or 30-60 minutes before taking breakfast (McArthur & Merz, 2014). Caution is taken by using lower doses in patients with heart disease or hypertension.
Reference
McArthur, J., & Merz, C. (2014). Hypothyroidism: The hypothyroidism solution. Boston, MA:
Harvard Health Publications. Eypothyroidism Essay.