128 Endocrine Flashcards
Name the 4 types of hormones
- peptide
- aa derivatives
- steroid
- eicosanoids
Are peptide hormones water soluble or lipid soluble?
Water soluble
From which 2 sites is the peptide hormone somatostatin secreted from?
Hypothalamus and pancreas
Which 2 peptide hormones does the posterior pituitary secrete?
Vasopressin
Oxytocin
Which peptide hormone is secreted from the placenta?
hCG
Which 3 peptide hormones are released from the pancreas?
Glucagon
Insulin
Somatostatin
Where are steroid hormones synthesises?
Adrenal cortex
Where do the steroid hormones bind to receptors?
(cellular)
Nuclear membrane
Name the 3 zones of the adrenal cortex
- Zona glomerulosa
- Zona fasciculata
- Zona reticularis
Which steroid hormone is secreted from the Zona Glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex?
Aldosterone
What is the role of aldosterone?
Control of BP - acts on the distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts in the kidney to increase resorption of H2O and increase BP
What is the mechanism by which aldosterone is released from the Zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex?
RAAS system –> renin secreted from the kidneys in response to electrolyte conc of the blood. This converts angiotensiogen into angiotensin I. Angiotensin I into angiotensin II by ACE secreted by the lungs. Angiotensin II makes adrenal cortex secrete aldosterone
Which glucocorticoid is secreted by the Zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex?
Cortisol
Where is cortisol secreted from?
Zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex
What is the role of cortisol? (3 listed)
- Control of carbohydrate metabolism
- increases aa conc in the blood by inhibiting protein synthesis in tissues
- promotes use of fat for energy
- stimulates gluconeogenesis in the liver
- Inflammatory response - suppresses by preventing Tcell proliferation
- Stress response - ie redistributing glu to the areas which need it most
Which steroid hormones are secreted from the zona reticularis in the adrenal cortex?
Sex hormones: androgens and oestrogens
Which amino acid are the catecholamines derived from?
Tyrosine
Which catecholamines are secreted by the adrenal medulla?
NA and adrenaline
Which amino acid derived hormones are secreted from the thyroid gland?
T3 - triiodothyronine
T4 - thyroxine
What are eicosanoids and what are they derived from?
Hormones/signalling molecules derived from PUFAs
Which eicosanoid is involved with inflammation and pain sensation?
prostaglandin
Which eicosanoid is involved with the increase of vascular permeability and vasodilation during inflammation?
thromboxanes
Which enzymes catalyse oxygenation of fatty acids to produce eicosanoids?
COX (cyclooxygenase) and LOX (lysil oxidase)
Which nucleus in the hypothalamus is responsible for circadian rhythm?
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
In the stress response, which hormone is released from the hypothalamus to act on the anterior pituitary?
CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone) –>ant pit secretes ACTH –> acts on the adrenal cortex –> secreted cortisol
Where is calcitonin secreted from?
Thyroid gland
What is the function of calcitonin? (3 ways in which it acts)
Acts to reduce serum [Ca2+] - opposite effect to PTH
- Inhibits Ca2+ absorption by the intestines
- Inhibits osteoclast activity in bones
- Inhibits renal tubular cell reabsorption of Ca2+ allowing it to be excreted in the urine
What is the function of PTH?
To increase serum [Ca2+] by:
- stimulating osteoclastic bone resorption
- It enhances active reabsorption of calcium and magnesium from distal tubules and the thick ascending limb
- It enhances the absorption of calcium in the intestine by increasing the production of activated vitamin D
Which cells produce PTH?
Chief cells of the parathyroid gland
Which cells of the pancreas secrete glucagon?
α cells of the pancreas
Which cells secrete insulin in the pancreas?
β cells
What is the effect of glucagon secretion by the pancreas?
Causes glucose production by the liver - glycogenolysis and gluconeogensis therefore prevents hypoglycaemia
What is the effect of insulin secretion by the βcells in the pacreas?
Reduction in glucose plasma levels - prevents gluconeogenesis by the liver and increases glucose transport into cells. Prevents hyperglycaemia
Which investigations should be performed when suspecting differentiated thyroid Ca?
(4 listed)
- USS
- FNAC (fine needle aspiration and cytology)
- serum thyroglobulin
- whole body scans
What is the treatment for thyroid Ca?
Thyroid surgery/ radioiodine Rx (Iodine 131)
How can a goitre present?
Neck mass with compression symptoms
Which disease is associated with a goitre?
Hyperthyroidism
Which blood test should be performed when diagnosing a goitre?
TSH
What is the cause of primary hypothyroidism?
Insufficient TH produced by the thyroid
What is the diagnosis?
- low metabolic rate
- sensitivity to cold
- poor memory
- increased weight
- elevated THS
- low TH
Primary hypothyroidism
What would a low TSH level and low TH level indicate?
Secondary hypothyroidism
What is the treatment for primary hypothyroidism?
Thyroxine
Excess production of chatecolamines caused by adrenal/extra-adrenal tumour.
What is the disease?
Pheochromocytoma
Which conditions are associated with pheochromocytoma?
(4 listed)
- Von Hippel Lindau syndrome
- phakomatoses
- neurofibromatosis
- multiple endocrine neoplasmas
Which investigations should be performed to diagnose pheochromacytoma?
- 24 hour urine –> would show increased chatecholamines and metabolites
What is the diagnosis: excess aldosterone production from the adrenal cortex causing endocrine HTN ?
Conn’s syndrome
What signs and symptoms are present in Conn’d syndrome?
(3 listed)
- HTN
- hypokalaemia
- metabolic alkalosis
Which invesigations should be performed to confirm diagnosis of Conn’s syndrome?
- 9am rennin and aldosterone –> would show loe rennin and high aldosterone
- U&EC
- CT/MRI
- MIBG scan - to rule out pheochromocytoma
What is a MIBG scan?
Iobenguane = radioisotope also referred to as MIBG used in scintography method called MIBG scan. Its a similar molecule to NA and so is useful for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma/neuroblastoma

What is spironolactone used to treat?
Conn’s syndrome if bilateral hyperplasia of adrenals
What is the treatment for Conn’s syndrome if there’s an adenoma present? What if bilateral hyperplasia?
- adrenalectomy if adenoma
- low salt diet and spironolactone if bilateral hyperplasia
What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Hyperpigmentation
- general malaise
- N&V
- hypoglycaemia
- postural hypotension
- W/L
- hyponatraemia
- hyperkalaemia
- inadequate cortisol response to synacthen
- increased ACTH
Addisons disease
What is the treatment for Addisons disease?
- hydrocortisone - 10mg BD
- fludrocortisone - 0.1mg OD
What is the immediate treatment of an Addisonian crisis?
100mg hydrocortisone IV
What syndrome is caused by excess cortisol production cause dby adrenal tumours, pituitary tumours or ectopic ACTH production?
Cushings
What is the diagnosis? -
- central obesity
- buffalo hump
- moon face
- HTN
- poor wound healing
- thin skin
- hirsuitism
- depression
- fatigue
Cushing’s syndrome
In Cushings, where is the disease if the ACTH levels are high?
Pituitary
In Cushings, where is the disease if ACTH is low?
Adrenals
What investigation should be performed to diagnose Cushing’s?
- 24 hour dex test
- give low dose dexamethasone at night - in normal individuals, it should cause cortisol suppression
- cortisol not suppressed in Cushing’s at 9am the next day
What condition is metyrapone used to treat?
Cushing’s
What is the MOA of metyrapone in the treatment for Cushing’s syndrome?
To reduce cortisol and corticosterone production by inhibiting the 11-ß-hydroxylation reaction
What condition is associated with a deficiency in 21 hydroxylase?
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Which pathway is 21-hydroxylase involved with in the adrenal cortex?
Glucocorticoid pathway ending in production of Aldosterone
Which condition causes reduced aldosterone secretion in children and excess androgen production in adults?
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
What investigations should be performed when diagnosing congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
Synacthen
What is the cause of primary hyperparathyroidism?
Adenoma/hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands
What signs and symptoms are associated with primary hyperparathyroidism?
Generally asymptomatic but can have symptoms of hypercalcaemia:
- Stones, moans and groans…
- kidney stones
- tiredness
- muscle weakness
- dehydration
- N&V
- bone pain
- arrhythmias
What investigations should be performed to diagnose primary hypoparathyroidism?
(4 listed)
- serum PTH (high)
- serum Ca2+ (high)
- serum P04- (low)
- urinary Ca2+ (high)
What is usually the cause of hypoparathyroidism?
Surgery - e.g. partial/complete thyroidectomy
What is the diagnosis? -
- increased neuromuscular excitability
- tingling in the extremities
- tetany
- epileptic convulsions
- prolonged QT intervals
- cataracts
- low PTH
- low Ca2+, high phosphate
Hypoparathyroidism
What symptoms are associates with hypomagnasaemia?
(hint: causes low PTH secretion)
6 listed
- Increased neuromuscular excitibility
- tingling in extremities
- tetany
- epileptic convulsions
- prolonged QT intervals
- cataracts
What can cause hypomagnasaemia?
- D&V
- PPIs
What is ‘knuckle knuckle dimple dimple’ a characteristic of?
Albrights Hereditary Dystrophy in pseudohypoparathyroidism - short 4th and 5th metacarpals
What is the treatment for pseudohypoparathyroidism?
VitD
What can cause primary hypogonadism in males?
(4 listed)
- Klinefelters
- Castration
- chemoTx
- chronic liver/kidney disease
What are the signs and symptoms in primary hypogonadism in ♂
- small/ absent testes
- gyneacomastia
- infertility
- decreased libido
- decreased hair
- osteoporosis
What is the treatment for primary hypogonadism in males?
- Testosterone
- sildenafil
- infertility Tx
What investigations should be performed to diagnose primary hypogonadism in males?
- bloods
- testosterone (low)
- LH (high)
- FSH (high)
- seminal analysis
What could primary amenorrhoea indicate?
Turners
Foetal androgen deficiency
What is the treatment for precocious puberty?
LHRH
What could cause premature ovarian failure?
- previous chemo
- organ specific immune disease
What are the S&S of PCOS?
- hirsuitism
- acne
What is the treatment for PCOS?
- metformin
- oestrogen and progesterone
- infertility treatment