What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and cognitive difficulties (often called “fibro fog”) (R). It is believed to involve central sensitization, a process in which altered pain...
Incretin-Based Therapies Cheat Sheet
Generic NameDrug ClassTrade Name(s) & IndicationDosingAdministrationLiraglutideGLP-1 agonistVictoza (T2DM)0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mgSubcutaneous injection (daily)Saxenda (obesity)0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, 3 mgSubcutaneous injection (daily)DulaglutideGLP-1...
Incretin-Based Therapies
What are incretins? Incretins are a group of peptide hormones secreted by specialized cells in the small intestine in response to the oral intake of nutrients (R). They travel through the bloodstream to signal the pancreas, brain, and other organs that nutrients are...
Vitamin A Cheat Sheet
Step 1: Risk Assessment Is patient high-risk for deficiency? → If yes, consider testing or empirical intervention Step 2: Testing Decision Test first: Malabsorptive conditions (celiac, Crohn's, bariatric surgery, etc.), severe symptoms present (dry eyes due to lack of...
Hashimoto’s Disease Cheat Sheet
OrganizationGuidelineYear PublishedAmerican Thyroid Association (ATA)Guidelines for the Treatment of Hypothyroidism: Prepared by the American Thyroid Association Task Force on Thyroid Hormone Replacement2014Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hypothyroidism in Adults:...
Vitamin A
What is vitamin A? Vitamin A is an umbrella term that includes both preformed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids (R). Preformed vitamin A refers to retinoids, a large family of compounds that includes retinol, its metabolites, and synthetic analogues that have a...
Graves’ Disease Cheat Sheet
OrganizationGuidelineYear PublishedAmerican Thyroid Association (ATA)Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Hyperthyroidism and Other Causes of Thyrotoxicosis2016European Thyroid Association (ETA)Guideline for the Management of Graves’ Hyperthyroidism2018Guideline...
Gluten-Free Diet
What is gluten? The term gluten is used in two distinct ways—one technical and one clinical (R, R, R). Technically, gluten refers to the rubbery protein mass that forms when wheat flour is mixed with water and kneaded. This mixture activates two key wheat proteins...
Graves’ Disease
What is Graves’ disease? Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the thyroid gland and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism (R). It occurs when the immune system produces antibodies that target the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor...
Iodine
What is iodine? Iodine is a trace mineral and essential nutrient that plays a key role in the production of thyroid hormones. It was discovered in 1811 by French chemist Bernard Courtois (R, R). While attempting to make gunpowder from seaweed ash, he accidentally...