Hashimoto thyroiditis
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Autoimmune / GeneticEndocrinemedium priorityneeds review
Hashimoto thyroiditis
Also testable as: Autoimmune hypothyroidism, Hashimoto disease
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Autoimmune thyroid destruction reduces hormone production over time.
- Low thyroid hormone slows metabolism and can cause fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, bradycardia, and constipation.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Thyroid medications | Levothyroxine replacement is common for hypothyroidism. |
Signs / symptoms
- Everything slows down.
- Do not stop thyroid replacement abruptly.
- Myxedema is the emergency.
Nursing actions
- Assess fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, weight change, bradycardia, and medication timing.
- Teach taking levothyroxine consistently and separating from calcium/iron per instructions.
- Escalate severe lethargy, hypothermia, bradycardia, or altered mental status as possible myxedema crisis.
Complications
- Myxedema crisis
- Hyperlipidemia
- Infertility concerns
- Goiter
NCLEX cues
- Everything slows down.
- Do not stop thyroid replacement abruptly.
- Myxedema is the emergency.
Memory hooks
- Hashimoto slows the thyroid down.
Labs / Diagnostics
- TSH/free T4
- Thyroid antibodies
- Lipid panel when ordered
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Source entitycondition card
Hashimoto thyroiditis
Condition card for Hashimoto thyroiditis: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Termcondition cue
TSH
Pituitary hormone used to help evaluate thyroid function.
Med classmedication safety
Thyroid medications
Replaces thyroid hormone to restore metabolic function.