You are treating a 29-year-old woman who came to you complaining of a 3-month history of increased sweating and palpitations with weight loss of 15 lb. Physical examination shows she is nervous and agitated with an obvious, diffuse, nontender, smooth enlargement of her thyroid, over which a bruit could be heard. She had a fine tremor of her fingers and a resting pulse rate of 150/min. Laboratory studies indicate the elevated serum T₃ of 4.8 nmol/L (normal: 0.8-2.4) and a T₄ of 48 nmol/L (normal: 9-23). Measurement of her thyroid-stimulating hormone showed that it was low normal, 0.4 mU/L (normal 0.4-5 mU/L). The signs and symptoms exhibited by your patient most likely indicate she is suffering from which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms and lab findings are consistent with Graves disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism. The diffuse thyroid enlargement with a bruit, elevated T3 and T4, and low TSH are characteristic of Graves disease.

You Are Treating a 29-Year-Old Woman Who Came to You