It is anticipated that the initial discussion post should be in the range of 250-300 words. Response posts to peers have no minimum word requirement but must demonstrate topic knowledge and scholarly engagement with peers. Substantive content is imperative for all posts. All discussion prompt elements for the topic must be addressed. Please proofread your response carefully for grammar and spelling. Do not upload any attachments unless specified in the instructions. All posts should be supported by a minimum of one scholarly resource, ideally within the last 5 years. Journals and websites must be cited appropriately. Citations and references must adhere to APA format.
Scenario: A 42-year-old woman who is an established patient comes to an appointment complaining of sudden and unexpected weight gain, fatigue, and heavy menses for the past 3 months. The woman has a history of allergies, Guillain-Barré syndrome at age 18, depression, and some difficulty getting pregnant in the past. Her maternal grandmother had a history of thyroid problems, but no specific information was available.
What additional subjective and objective assessments should be included in the patient examination?
Explain whether this patient should have had a routine screening of thyroid function prior to today’s visit.
Which testing is needed to diagnose hypothyroidism?
Why is the measurement of free T4 always preferred over the total T4?
Under what circumstances should this patient be referred to an endocrinologist for treatment?
Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.
