You are an endocrinologist. A patient has been referred to you because he is cold all the time, even when the ambient temperature is 75°F. His throat is swollen. He also appears to heal slowly. You immediately suspect that his metabolic rate is slower than normal due to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms suggest hypothyroidism, which is caused by decreased production of thyroid hormones, including thyroxine. Low levels of thyroxine can cause a slowed metabolic rate, leading to feeling cold all the time, slow healing, and other symptoms. Elevated calcitonin, insulin, or growth hormone levels would not cause these symptoms. Low parathyroid hormone levels would cause low levels of calcium in the blood, but would not affect metabolic rate or cause cold intolerance.

You Are an Endocrinologist