Endocrine System "A Significant Proportion Thesis

(Sims & Haggerty, Description section, 2006, ¶ 2).

A Palpable Goiter's Presence

The journal article, "Hyperthyroidism" (N.d.), explains that a goiter denotes the enlargement of the thyroid gland. The majority of individuals with a goiter will not likely realize it, until the goiter grows to a visible or palpable size, as a goiter may develop to enormous size prior to producing symptoms of compression. Frequently, a low iodine supply in the diet contributes to the development of a goiter. In areas of the world where dietary iodine is low, doctors note a larger number of patients with goiters. The thyroid gland implements this defense mechanism to maintain balance with the body's need for thyroid hormones

As a goiter may be associated with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, to rule out the abnormal functioning of the thyroid, the doctor orders blood tests. After these tests, the doctor will determines if the need for imaging studies exists. These would include ultrasound, CT scan, and etc. Most patients with goiter do not require any intervention, however are monitored by periodic neck exams and blood work. When the suspicion of thyroid cancer or compression symptoms materialize, albeit, surgery to remove all or part of the goiter may be necessary. When the removal of entire thyroid becomes necessary, the patient requires lifelong thyroid hormone medication (Hyperthyroidism, N.d., Goiter section). For the patient examined by this paper, further testing would be needed for the determination of whether or not one would expect to find a palpable goiter A Suitable Treatment

The journal article, "Hyperthyroidism" (N.d.), also attributes hypothyroidism to the inability of the thyroid gland to produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormones. "Unlike with Grave's disease, the thyroid cells in hypothyroidism face autoimmune destruction, which means that the body directs its immune response against these thyroid cells and destroys them; Hashimoto's disease is another name for this thyroid-cell-destroying process (Hyperthyroidism, N.d., ¶ 4). Symptoms of hypothyroidism include many of those evidenced by the patient examined in this study; noted in the table at the end of this investigation. After confirming the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, the physician will initiate treatments to replace the thyroid hormone. Generally, treatment proves successful with the administration of one daily dose of oral levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, etc.). For follow-up, the physician periodically measures the thyroid-stimulating hormone level to guide ongoing treatments (Hyperthyroidism, N.d.).

Table 1 compares the 30-year-old male case patient's symptoms to symptoms of Hypothyroidsm.

Table 1: Comparison of Case Patient's Symptoms to Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (adapted from Assignment; Sims & Haggerty, 2006, Causes and symptoms section, ¶ 8).

30-year-od Male Patient's Symptoms

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Dull Facial Expression

Depression

Droopy Eyelids

Swollen eyelids

Puffiness of the face

Progressive Hearing Loss

Periorbital swelling

Weight Gain

Sparse; Dry Hair

Dryness or loss of hair

Dry Scaly Skin

Dry Skin

Intellectual Impairment

Problems with Memory and Concentration

Lethargy

Fatigue

Change of Personality

Numb, tingling hands

Bradycardia (60 b/min)

Decreased Heart Rate

Anemia (hematocrit 27)

Muscle pain or weakness

Enlarged Heart (upon radiological exam)

Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)

Constipation

Constipation

Hypothermia

Extreme sensitivity to cold

Delayed or early onset of sexual development

Irregular menstrual periods

Elevated cholesterol levels in the blood

Hoarse Voice

REFERENCES

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Endocrine system. (2008). The Columbia Encyclopedia. Sixth Edition. Retrieved June 23, 2009

from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1E1-endocrin.html

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). (N.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Retrieved June 22, 2009 from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/thyroid_disease/endo_description.aspx

Krause, W. (2006). Skin diseases in consequence of endocrine alterations. Aging Male. Taylor & Francis Ltd. Retrieved June 22, 2009 from HighBeam Research:

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1128536031.html

Radioimmunoassay. (2008). The Columbia Encyclopedia. Sixth Edition. Retrieved June 22, 2009

from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1E1-radioimmu.html

Sims, J. & Haggerty, M. (2006). Hypothyroidism. Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health:…