A 54-year-old woman comes to the physician because of fatigue, difficulty falling asleep, and night sweats for the past 6 months. Thyroid hormone levels were normal, and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with menopausal hot flashes. Treatment with estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapy was begun with significant symptom improvement. She has no other medical conditions and takes no other medications. Which of the following most likely occurred in this patient as a result of her medication use?

Question

A 54-year-old woman comes to the physician because of fatigue, difficulty falling asleep, and night sweats for the past 6 months. Thyroid hormone levels were normal, and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with menopausal hot flashes.  Treatment with estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapy was begun with significant symptom improvement.  She has no other medical conditions and takes no other medications.  Which of the following most likely occurred in this patient as a result of her medication use?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: An increase in estrogen activity, as seen in pregnancy or postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy, increases the level of thyroxine-binding globulin.  This leads to an increase in total thyroid hormone levels, but feedback control maintains normal levels of free (biologically active) thyroid hormone.

A 54-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Physician Because of Fatigue