A Patient Suffering from Hypothyroidism Has Developed a Goiter

Question

A patient suffering from hypothyroidism has developed a goiter. This occurred because .
A) the mental sluggishness associated with hypothyroidism stimulates the thyroid gland to increase in size
B) low levels of thyroid hormone removed inhibition from the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus, more TSH was produced and it stimulated the thyroid gland to increase in size
C) the low activity level associated with hypothyroidism stimulates the thyroid land to increase in size
D) low levels of thyroid hormone stimulate the thyroid gland to increase in size

Accepted Answer

Low levels of thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism lead to reduced inhibition of the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, resulting in increased production of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to grow, attempting to increase thyroid hormone production, which can result in a goiter.