Question

Hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism in adults will lead to ________ and __________
respectively.
A. Myxoedema and cretinism
B. Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s disease
C. Myxoedema and Osteitis fibrosa cystica
D. Addison’s disease and cretinism

Answer 1

Hypothyroidism refers to insufficient secretion of hormone from thyroid gland and hyperparathyroidism refers to excessive secretion of hormone from parathyroid gland.

Complete Answer:
- Thyroid gland is located in the front and at the base of our neck. Its shape is like a butterfly. The hormones secreted by the thyroid gland help in maintaining the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs. These hormones also help the body to utilize energy properly.

- Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is not able to secrete sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. Another term for severe hypothyroidism in adults is called Myxoedema. It is also known as Gull’s disease. This disorder is five times more common in females than in males. It causes a strangely low metabolic rate and lack of response to demand for increased energy, by muscles, during exercise. In this condition the mental and physical processes become sluggish; skin becomes rough; the hair becomes fragile and has a tendency to fall out.

- Parathyroid glands are four pea sized glands that are located on the thyroid gland. These glands secrete a hormone known as parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH helps in maintaining the right balance of calcium in our body.

- Hyperparathyroidism is a disorder of the Parathyroid glands in which one or more of the parathyroid glands become overactive that causes overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH). This excessive production of PTH leads to a bone disorder called Osteitis fibrosa cystica (OFC). High PTH levels trigger the bones to release more calcium in the blood. The loss of calcium from bones causes weakening of bones and high levels of calcium in blood leads to kidney stones. This disorder mostly affects people between the age of 50 to 60 years and women are three to four times more prone as compared to men.

- Cretinism is a disorder that occurs in children due to hypothyroidism, i.e., insufficient secretion of thyroid hormone and not because of hyperparathyroidism. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder which is related to hypothyroidism.

- Addison’s disease is correct because it occurs due to hypothyroidism yet its combination with cretinism makes this option wrong. Exophthalmic goiter or Grave’s disease occurs in adults due to hyperthyroidism, i.e., excessive secretion of thyroid hormone.

Thus, the correct answer is C, i.e., Myxoedema and Osteitis fibrosa cystica.

Note: Thyroid gland is an endocrine gland. The primary function of this gland is the secretion of $T_3$, $T_4$ and calcitonin hormones.