The thyroid gland sits at the front of the neck and produces endocrine hormones into the bloodstream. Sometimes the gland can produce too much (hyperthyroid) or too little hormone (hypothyroid) which results in a patient needing treatment. There are certain signs and symptoms that the patient may present with and it is these that you are examining the patient for in this station.
This station may start in a number of ways. You may be given a history of a hyperthyroid or hypothyroid patient, or you may be asked to examine the patient’s neck or thyroid gland. Either way you should approach the situation systematically and not jump straight into feeling the neck.
Wash your hands and introduce yourself to the patient. Clarify the patient’s identity. Explain the procedure and gain the patient’s consent.
Perform an initial observation of the patient.
Report any abnormalities to the examiner.
A dysfunctioning thyroid gland may give stigmata of disease in many places, so as always, it is best to start with the hands. You should first feel the hands for any sweating. Look for any tremor – placing a piece of paper on the backs of the patient’s outstretched hands may show this. Check the nails for any thyroid acropachy – similar to clubbing, or onycholysis – where the nail comes away from the nail bed. You should also observe for any palmar erythema which may occur in hyperthyroidism.
Next you should feel the pulse. It may be tachycardic or bradycardic if a thyroid condition is present.
Now move onto the neck. Observe it as a whole but pay particular attention to the area of the thyroid gland. You should look from the front and the side looking for any obvious abnormalities, scars or swellings.
Hand the patient a glass of water and observe them as they take a drink. Watch the movement of any swellings as they drink as this can help to differentiate between different causes.
Next you should feel the gland. The approach is from behind so always tell the patient what you will be doing and that you will be behind them. Warn them again the moment before you actually touch their neck.
Palpate the entire length of both lobes of the gland as well as the isthmus. Note any swellings or abnormal lumps. You should note the shape and consistency of any lumps as well as whether they are tender or mobile. You should also examine while the patient drinks to assess whether the lump moves with swallowing.
Whilst still behind the patient, take the opportunity to examine the cervical lymph nodes. You should also examine the eyes from behind and above to look for any exophthalmos – another sign of hyperthyroidism.
Finally you should auscultate the thyroid. A bruit, a sign of increased blood flow, may be heard in hyperthyroidism.
Thank your patient and report your findings to the examiner.
An extension to this station may be thyroid function results interpretation. Below are the three most common diagnosis:
