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. |
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.