A normal fasting glucose in a nondiabetic patient is - ANSWER less than 100 mg/dL. Fasting glucose should be obtained when the patient is in a fasting
... [Show More] state. A normal fasting glucose value should be less than 100 mg/dL in a nondiabetic patient. Abnormal values should always be repeated. If a patient is nonfasting and the glucose value is less than 125 mg/dL, most authorities consider this to be normal
A 45-year-old female patient has fatigue for the past 3 months and a 10-pound weight gain. She previously had regular menses occurring about every 30 days, but in the last 3 months her menses has varied between 30 and 45 days. What explains this finding TSH 13 repeated TSH 15 - ANSWER This patient has hypothyroidism because her TSH exceeds 5 mU/L. Common symptoms associated with hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, cold intolerance, constipation, menstrual irregularities, and hair and nails that break easily. The diagnosis should be easily realized since the TSH is elevated on two occasions.
A 63-year-old male patient presents for evaluation of shortness of breath. His EKG demonstrates atrial fibrillation (a-fib). Which of the following laboratory studies would be LEAST helpful in the evaluation of the etiology of his symptoms?
Renal function tests
Serum electrolytes
TSH and Free T4
Fasting lipids - ANSWER Fasting lipids Explanation:
The most common presentation of hyperthyroidism in patients 60 years of age and older is atrial fibrillation. This is thought to be secondary to decreased parasympathetic tone. A decreased TSH level and an elevation in thyroid hormones like T3 and/or T4 are reflective of hyperthyroidism. An imbalance in serum electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium, which are involved in the conduction of electrical impulses in the heart, have the potential to provoke cardiac arrhythmias and should be evaluated. Chronic kidney disease increases a patient's risk for the development of atrial fibrillation. Fasting lipids may indicate the presence of dyslipidemia, but it is very unlikely to help determine the etiology of these symptoms.
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Which of the following patients is most likely to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism?
56-year-old female with swollen fingers
25-year-old male with blurred vision
32-year-old female with night sweats
45-year-old male with palpitations - ANSWER 56 year old with swollen fingers
Hypothyroidism is five to eight times more common in women than men. Swelling of the hands and feet are common findings in patients who have hypothyroidism. Blurred [Show Less]