Endocrine Disorders (Kuzel)

• Hyperthyroidism:
• I.e. Graves Disease (most common), Toxic Multinodular goiter, Thyroiditis, Hashimotos (initially hyperthyroid, followed by hypothyroid) 
• Thyroid storm:
  • 15-50% mortality with tx (80-100% without) 
  • How they die: cardiac dysrhythmias, CHF, hepatic failure, hypotension, cardiovasc collapse
  • Tx: beta blocker (propranolol), thioamide (TPU/methimazole), steroid, iodide; avoid NSAIDs since they increase peripheral thyroid hormone conversion
  • PTU is Preferred because it has earlier onset and safe in Pregnancy 
• Hypothyroidism:
• Most commonly autoimmune, thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, post-ablation, panhypopituitarism 
• Euthyroid sick syndrome = low thyroxine syndrome w/ low or normal TSH, seen in critically ill pts
• Myxedema Coma:
  • 30-60% mortality
  • Often precipitated d/t sepsis, CHF, CVA, hypoxia, ACS
  • SLOW and SWOLE sx = bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, myxedema 
  • Tx: steroid, levothyroxine (be careful of dysrhythmias, ACS – give if hypotensive/altered)
• TSH can be helpful in NH patients w/ rapid decline and sx of hypothyroidism, & septic patients w/ refractory shock

Case Review (Loche, McGowan)

• AV fistula – most commonly in anterior forearm/upper arm, needs time to mature (6-12 mo) 
• Eval: should feel thrill; if you don’t feel thrill/pulse, assume thrombosis (get US/doppler) 
• AV fistula bleeding management:
  • Pinpoint pressure, can use bottle cap over bleed to let it clot off, use other adjuncts prn (surgicel, TXA, gelfoam)
  • Figure of 8 suture – DO NOT tie off vessel (damages fistula), just suture the superficial skin with non cutting suture 
  • If heavier bleeding, then do purse string suture 
  • If successful, have them move arm around, make sure it doesn’t rebleed, observe 1-2 hours
  • If you had to suture it or if any other major problems, you should give vascular surgery a call 
• Fistule thrombosis – loss of bruit/thrill, palpable clot
  • Management: Discuss with vascular, may or may not need emergent intervention, may get balloon angioplasty or thrombolysis 
• Pseudoaneurysm/aneurysm – bulging of vessel in outer wall (pseudo) or all layers (true) – get ultrasound, talk with vascular 
• Infection – much higher risk, especially if deeper infxn, need admission for IV abx, call vascular 

Supplements (Huecker) 

• Kefir should be first food of day – lots of good probiotics and vitamins 
• Daily supplement essentials: magnesium!, sunshine/VitD, vit K2, vit C, and iodine 
• Mag threonate is Huecker’s favorite form, oxide is trash; at least 200mg of elemental Mg/day 
• Labdoor.com is a good third party supplement tester
• Vitamin D: Most people need 3000-5000 IU in winter time, or 20 min in sun (if arms, legs, face exposed)
• Vitamin K2: helps prevent fractures, cancer incidence, neurocognitive fx 
• Fish oil: higher ratio of omega 3:6 is better, eating fish is best way to get it