Reply to each posts with 1-2 paragraphs including references Post#1- Magden Ho

Reply to each posts with 1-2 paragraphs including references
Post#1- Magden
How are thyroid disorders diagnosed, and what diagnostic tests are commonly used to evaluate thyroid function? How do nurse practitioners interpret these tests to diagnose and manage thyroid disorders?
To diagnose thyroid disorders, physicians commonly use blood tests that evaluate thyroid function. Nurse practitioners play a vital role in interpreting these tests to diagnose and manage thyroid disorders accurately. Nurse practitioners can assess whether a patient has hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism by a blood test measuring hormone levels. The test, called a thyroid function test, looks at levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3 total, and thyroxine (T4) in the blood (Caron, 2020). A high level of TSH and a low level of T4 in the blood indicates an under active thyroid. NPs will also assess for signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, change in voice, and dry skin. With hyperthyroidism, TSH is low while T4 and T3 levels are high. Symptoms include unexpected weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and irritability. After a proper diagnose is made, medications are prescribed and dietary adjustments are made to manage the disorders
Post#2- Julie Ann
How are thyroid disorders diagnosed, and what diagnostic tests are commonly used to evaluate thyroid function? How do nurse practitioners interpret these tests to diagnose and manage thyroid disorders?
The diagnostic tests commonly used to evaluate thyroid function are through blood levels. This test is called the thyroid function test. This will evaluate what levels your TSH and T4 are. If TSH is high and T4 is low/normal, the patient may be developing an underactive thyroid. Patients need to be monitored by doing intermittent blood draws throughout the year to see if there is a thyroid dysfunction. The provider may also order a thyroid antibody test to see if there is an autoimmune component to the abnormal laboratory levels.
Post#3- Aman
What are the health consequences of obesity, and how do these conditions impact overall health and wellness? Discuss your experience with managing the potential complications and comorbidities associated with obesity, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea?
I recently took care of a patient who was obese and had comorbidities that included cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, and undiagnosed sleep apnea. The patient wanted to lose weight so they took phentermine. However, with their prolonged use of phentermine, they were diagnosed with severe pulmonary hypertension. This resulted the patient in getting an IV pump attached to them for the rest of their life until they can get a double heart/lung transplant. The IV medication that was continuously being infused was epoprostenol, which helps in reducing the pulmonary hypertension by vasodilation of the pulmonary arteries (Staff, n.d.). Even though the patient was in such shape and has this illness, they still wanted to eat unhealthy fast food. They wanted to order outside food into the hospital while they were admitted in the ICU. While their current illness was caused by a medication, the diabetes and underlying sleep apnea was a direct correlation of the patient’s obesity and unhealthy lifestyle. I had to educate the patient about healthy eating and the importance of following a healthy cardiac diet since they had pulmonary hypertension and hypertension, in general. The patient did not like what they were hearing, but it was said in the best interest for the patient. Just from this one patient, we can see the negative impact of obesity on the body.