The nurse finds that the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction in a client are due to abnormal pituitary activity. The client's laboratory report shows a low TSH level, which supports the nurse's finding. What type of endocrine disorder is likely present in the client?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A low TSH level indicates that the pituitary gland is not producing enough TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce hormones, leading to secondary hypothyroidism. This means that the problem is in the pituitary gland, not in the thyroid gland itself. Primary hypothyroidism and primary hyperthyroidism both involve dysfunction of the thyroid gland, not the pituitary gland. Tertiary hyperthyroidism is a very rare type of disorder involving dysfunction of the hypothalamus, not the pituitary gland.

The Nurse Finds That the Symptoms of Thyroid Dysfunction in a Client