Question

Critical Thinking Assessment 7 Would you predict your thyroid hormone level to increase, decrease, or stay the same in the winter? Predict the results (increased, decreased, stay the same) for the following for a person with a hyperthyroid condition (over- active thyroid) and one with a hypothyroid condition (underactive thyroid): Change Predicted with Hyperthyroidism Change Predicted with Hypothyroidism Variable Thyroid hormone level Metabolic rate Respiratory rate Body temperature Body weight Which individual, one with a hyperthyroid or a hypothyroid condition, would be more likely to shiver when exposed to decreases in environmental temperature?

Answer 1

In winter, due to exposure to cold thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) should increase , which increases level of thyroid hormones slightly. This occurs due to excitation of hypothalamic centre for temperature control. However, in person with hypothyroid, slight increase in TSH level may not be capable to increase the level of hormones in winter. So the person will feel intolerant to cold.

variable	hyperthyroidism	hypothyroidism
Thyroid hormone level	increase	decrease
Metabolic rate	increase	decrease
Respiratory rate	increase	decrease
Body temperature	increase	decrease
Body weight	decrease	increase

In hyperthyroidism, increase metabolism increases oxygen requirement. so the respiration rate also increases.

A hypothyroidism patient is more likely to shiver when exposed to decrease in environmental temperature. They have low hormones and so lower basal metabolic rate than normal. So they generate less heat to keep themselves warm.