PE4S153 - Disorders of the Thyroid 01 Sep 2019 - 31 Aug 2031 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PE4S153
Module Title: Disorders of the Thyroid
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Clinical Services
Module Leader: Karl New
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2017 Final Year of Intake: 2030
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100260 - healthcare science
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2031

Module Aims

Integrate advanced understanding of thyroid physiology and hormone function to critically assess and develop strategies for the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders, considering emerging treatments and patient-specific factors.

Content Summary

Indicative content to include topics outlined below and/or any other relevant current topics to fulfil the module aims and learning outcomes:

Topics may include:

The physiology of the thyroid gland, basics control of hormonal secretion and the effects of thyroid hormones.

Thyroid function tests and interpretation. Sick euthyroidism and non-thyroidal illness. Thyroiditis including DeQuervain’s thyroiditis. Thyroid eye disease.

Hypothyroidism – presentation, diagnosis and management. Causes of hypothyroidism.

Principles of thyroid hormone replacement and merits of T4 and T3 replacement.

Hyperthyroidism – presentation, diagnosis and management. Causes of thyrotoxicosis – Graves’ disease, Multinodular goitre and drugs.

Management of hyperthyroidism – surgery, drugs and radio-iodine. Preparation of the thyrotoxic patient for surgery.

Use of thionamides, side effects and management of thionamides. Use of radio-iodine, outcomes and contra-indications to its use. Thyroidectomy, outcomes and potential risks of surgery.

Management of the patient presenting with a thyroid nodule. Fine needle aspiration and classification of the aspirate.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 40
Seminars 40
Problem/Challenge-based Learning 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically appraise thyroid disorders, integrating advanced knowledge of underlying physiological mechanisms.
LO2 Exhibit advanced clinical decision-making skills in the diagnosis and management of patients with thyroid disorders, justifying chosen approaches.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Assessment Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1 Assessment to be completed in a specific timescale, which is neither an invigilated examination nor a piece of coursework. To be completed over an extended period (e.g. a 2-hour task to be completed within 48 hours, or a 24-hour assessment). Learna: End of module 1-hour Case-based Multiple-choice Examination related to Disorders of the Thyroid to be completed within a 10-day period. 60 N/A 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 A personal record of a student’s learning experiences. It requires students to record and reflect upon their observations and responses to situations, which can then be used later to explore and analyse ways of thinking and being in context. Generally involves critical diaries, learning logs and written / visual journals. Learna: Reflective journal. 0 600 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 A detailed analysis of a topic, involving some original research undertaken by the candidate who makes use of data and/or primary sources. Learna: Completion of an individual/group task related to Disorders of the Thyroid. 0 1000 20 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A concentrated inquiry into a single case or subject. Learna: Case-based scenarios and a discussion forum related to Disorders of the Thyroid 0 2500 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1
Self Reflective Assessment 1
Project 1
Case study 1

Reading List

The module reading list is available to the students to access via electronic links on the learning platform (Moodle).

In addition to the list below, each list is supplemented with up-to-date peer-reviewed journal articles and studies that are continually refreshed as guidelines change and new treatments and technologies emerge.

Additional reading resources are also provided where relevant by the tutors during the running of the module in the discussion forum to keep the reading resources current and relevant.

Indicative Module 2 Reading:

British Thyroid Association (no date) Current BTA guidelines and statements. [Online]

British Thyroid Foundation (2021) Thyroid function tests. [Online]

Clinical Endocrinology. [Online]

Endocrine Society (no date) Clinical Practice Guidelines. [Online]

European Society of Endocrinology (no date) Guidelines. [Online]

Society for Endocrinology. [Onli

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. [Online]