A patient with a thyroid tumor has her thyroid gland removed. Without a thyroid gland and without synthroid (a thyroid hormone replacement drug), which of the following is MOST likely to occur?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Without a thyroid gland and without synthroid, the body cannot produce thyroid hormones, leading to low thyroid hormone levels. This condition signals the pituitary gland to release more Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in an attempt to stimulate thyroid hormone production, resulting in abnormally high TSH levels. Since thyroid hormones are crucial for metabolism, their absence would result in a lower metabolic rate.

A Patient with a Thyroid Tumor Has Her Thyroid Gland