15. Endocrine Pancreatic disorders Flashcards
A diagnosis of diabetes can be made by measuring plasma glucose levels.
What would a persons fasting plasma glucose be if they were diabetic?
Fasting plasma glucose >7mmol/L.
A diagnosis of diabetes can be made by measuring plasma glucose levels.
What would a persons random plasma glucose be if they were diabetic?
Random plasma glucose >11mmol/L.
A diagnosis of diabetes can be made by measuring plasma glucose levels.
What would the results of the oral glucose tolerance test be if someone was diabetic?
Fasting plasma glucose >7mmol/L and 2-hour value >11mmol/L.
What might someone’s HbA1c be if they have diabetes?
> 48mmol/mol.
Give 5 investigations carried out for diabetes.
- Urine dip
- FPG - fasting plasma glucose
- RPG - resting plasma glucose
- OGTT - oral glucose tolerance test
- HbA1c - glycated haemoglobin
(n.b. this won’t be accurate in anaemic patients)
Criteria for diabetes diagnosis.
- Symptomatic + one elevated FPG (≥7.0) or RPG (≥11.1)
- Asymptomatic + two elevated FPG or RPG
- OGTT with 2 hr glucose ≥ 11.1mmol/L
- HbA1c ≥ 48mmol/mol or 6.5%
*FPG = fasting plasms glucose
*RPG = resting plasma glucose
*OGTT = oral glucose tolerance test
*HbA1c = glycated haemoglobin
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia with 1 or more of:
o Ketosis
o Rapid weight loss
o Age of onset <5 years old
o BMI < 25 kg/m2
o Personal and/or family history of autoimmune disease
If you take a Resting Blood Glucose (RBG) as part of general monitoring/while testing for something else, and it comes back at 23 mmol/L, what do you need to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes?
Repeat the blood glucose test at another time.
One result is enough if the patient is symptomatic.
How would you diagnose T1DM if patient is asymptomatic and to differentiate from T2DM?
- Autoantibodies against beta cells
- GADA
- IA-2A
- IAA - C-peptide
- T1DM: low
- T2DM: high
Explain the origin of T1DM.
Beta cells express HLA antigens.
Autoimmune destruction -> beta cell loss -> impaired insulin secretion.
Insulin deficiency.
T1DM is characterised by impaired insulin secretion. Describe the pathophysiological consequence of this in the body.
- Severe insulin deficiency
- Glycogenolysis not suppressed
- Gluconeogensis not suppressed
- Lipolysis not suppressed
- Reduced peripheral glucose uptake
- ALL lead to hyperglycaemia and glycosuria
- Perceived stress -> cortisol and Ad secretion
- Lead to catabolic state -> increased plasma ketones
Give 2 potential consequences of T1DM.
- Hyperglycaemia.
- Raised plasma ketones -> ketoacidosis.
Is type 1 diabetes characterised by a problem with insulin secretion, insulin resistance or both?
Type 1 diabetes is characterised by impaired insulin secretion - there is severe insulin deficiency.
At what age do people with T1DM present?
Often people with Type 1 diabetes will present in childhood.
Give 3 risk factors for T1DM.
- Genetic predisposition - HLA DR3/4
- Family history
- Other AI diseases e.g. Coeliac, AI thyroid, Addison’s, Pernicious anaemia.
Give 3 symptoms of T1DM (the classical triad of symptoms for T1DM).
3 Ps:
1. Polyphagia - increase in appetite/eating
2. Polydipsia - extreme thirst
3. Polyuria - excessive urine passing
Other than the 3Ps, give 3 symptoms of T1DM.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lethargy and fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Gastroparesis -> constipation
- Paresthesis
- Recurrent infections (candida)
One symptom of T1DM is polyphagia - rise in appetite and eating. Explain why this happens in T1DM.
Decreased insulin -> glucose unable to get into cells -. hyperglycaemia -> cells “starve” due to no glucose for energy generation -> polyphagia + fatigue
One symptom of T1DM is polydipsia - extreme thirst. Explain why this happens in T1DM.
Decreased insulin -> glucose unable to get into cells -. hyperglycaemia -> glucose gets above renal threshold -> glycosuria -> osmotic diuresis -> polyuria -> hypovolemia -> increased serum osmolality -> polydipsia.
One symptom of T1DM is polyuria - excessive urine passing. Explain why this happens in T1DM.
Decreased insulin -> glucose unable to get into cells -. hyperglycaemia -> glucose gets above renal threshold -> glycosuria -> osmotic diuresis -> polyuria.
Describe the treatment for T1DM.
- EDUCATION - make sure the patient understands the benefits of good glycaemic control.
- Healthy diet - low in sugar, high in carbohydrates.
- Regular activity, healthy BMI.
- BP and hyperlipidaemia control.
- Insulin therapy.
- Frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose + long-term monitoring of HbA1c.
What are the different types of insulins available for insulin therapy?
- Human insulins
- Produced by recombinant DNA technology
- Have the same AA sequence as endogenous human insulin. - Human insulin analogues
- Produced in the same way as human insulins
- But the insulin is modified to produce a specific desired kinetic characteristic (E.G. an extended duration of action or faster absorption and action)
Describe the different insulin categories in terms of time-action profiles.
- Rapid acting insulins
- Quick onset of action: 15 mins
- Short duration of action: 2-5 hrs
- E.G. Humalog® (insulin lispro) and Novorapid® (insulin aspart) - Short-acting insulins (regular or neutral)
- Quick onset of action: 30-60 mins
- Short duration of action: up to 8 hrs
- E.G. Actrapid® and Humulin S® - Intermediate-acting insulins (isophane)
- Slow onset of action: 1-2 hrs
- Maximal effects: 3-12 hrs
- Long duration of action: 11-24 hrs
- E.G. Humulin I®, Insuman Basal®, and Insulatard® - Long-acting insulins
- Duration of action of up to 24 hours
- Steady-state level achieved after 2–4 days
- To produce a constant level of insulin
-E.G. Lantus® (insulin glargine), Levemir® (insulin detemir), and Tresiba® (insulin degludec)
Rapid- and short-acting insulins have a quick onset of action and a short duration of action. They are used to replicate the insulin normally produced by the body in response to glucose absorbed from a meal or sugary drink.
Intermediate- and long-acting insulins have a slow onset of action and a long duration of action. They mimic the effect of endogenous basal insulin (insulin that is secreted continuously throughout the day).
What is the difference between rapid/short acting insulins AND intermediate/long acting insulins in terms of their effects?
- Rapid/short acting insulins
- Used to replicate the insulin normally produced by the body in response to glucose absorbed from a meal or sugary drink. - Intermediate/long-acting insulins
- Mimic the effect of endogenous basal insulin (insulin that is secreted continuously throughout the day).
What is the difference between rapid/short acting insulins AND intermediate/long acting insulins in terms of onset + duration of action?
- Rapid- and short-acting insulins have a quick onset of action and a short duration of action.
- Intermediate- and long-acting insulins have a slow onset of action and a long duration of action.
Explain the 3 different insulin therapy regimes for T1DM.
- 1st line:
Multiple daily injection (MDI) basal-bolus insulin regimen
-> Long or intermediate at bedtime AND rapid/short before meals
- Long-acting Basal: twice-daily insulin detemir
- Bolus: rapid-acting insulin analogue (Humalog or Novorapid)
- Mixed (biphasic) regimen (the person has 1/2/3 insulin injections per day)
-> Once daily: Long or int at bedtime - only suitable T2DM
-> Twice daily human mixed insulin: Pre breakfast/evening meal - Continuous insulin infusion (insulin pump) therapy
-> If very poor control
How is insulin administered in someone with T1DM?
Injected into SC fat.
Give examples of possible injection sites for insulin. Why is it important they are rotated regularly?
Outer thigh, abdomen, arm.
Rotating reduces risk of infection and lipohypertrophy.
Other than SC injections, how else can insulin be administered?
Insulin pump.
Give 4 potential complications of insulin therapy.
- Hypoglycaemia.
- Lipohypertrophy at ejection site.
- Insulin resistance.
- Weight gain.
- Interference with life style.
What is a hypoglycaemic coma?
Rapid onset of hypoglycaemia preceded by aggression, sweating, high pulse, seizures - leading to loss of consciousness.
Give 5 symptoms of hypoglycaemia.
- Hunger.
- Sweating.
- Tachycardia/Palpitations
- Anxious.
- Shaking/Tremor
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Visual trouble
- Seizures
- Coma
How would you treat hypoglycaemia?
Oral sugar and long-acting starch (e.g. toast).
IV glucose if can’t swallow.
Give 3 complications a T1DM may present with.
- Staphylococcus skin infections
- Retinopathy
- Polyneuropathy
- Erectile dysfunction
- Arterial disease e.g. MI
What are the differences in onset between T1DM and T2DM?
Type 1 - adolescent onset usual.
Type 2 - onset usually >40yrs.
Type 1 is linked to HLA D3 and D4.
Type 2 has no HLA association.
What is the difference in the investigation of C-peptide between T1DM and T2DM?
C-peptide: low @ T1, high @ T2
What are the differences in T1DM and T2DM presentations?
Type 1 will present with polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, ketonuria etc.
Type 2 presents asymptomatically (picked up on blood test), or with complications e.g. MI.
Explain the pathophysiology of T2DM.
- Insulin resistance develops
- Pancreatic beta cells hyperplasia + hypertrophy
- Increases beta cell secretion of insulin -> hypersecretion
- Beta cell exhaustion, dysfunction, atrophy
- Decreases insulin secretion
- Hyperglycaemia
Impaired insulin secretion and resistance -> IGT (impaired glucose tolerance) -> T2DM -> hyperglycaemia and high FFAs (free fatty acids)
Give 3 endocrine diseases that can cause diabetes.
- Cushing’s.
- Acromegaly.
- Phaeochromocytoma.
Give 5 risk factors for T2DM.
- Obesity / central adiposity
- Lack of exercise / physical inactivity
- Poor diet
- Asian background
- Age > 40 yrs
- Family history
- Gestational diabetes
- Medications/drugs e.g. glucocorticoids, thiazides diuretics, atypical psychotics
- PCOS
What class of drugs can cause diabetes?
- Steroids.
- Thiazides.
- Anti-psychotics.
Is type 2 diabetes characterised by a problem with insulin secretion, insulin resistance or both?
Type 2 DM is characterised by impaired insulin secretion AND insulin resistance.
What happens to insulin resistance, insulin secretion and glucose levels in T2DM?
- Insulin resistance increases.
- Insulin secretion decreases.
- Fasting and post-prandial glucose increase.
Why is insulin secretion impaired in T2DM?
Impaired insulin secretion is thought to be due to lipid deposition in the pancreatic islets.
Is insulin secretion or insulin resistance the driving force of hyperglycaemia in T2DM?
Hepatic insulin resistance is the driving force of hyperglycaemia.
Describe the treatment pathway for T2DM.
1) Monotherapy
- Lifestyle changes: healthy eating, weight control, increased physical activity, diabetes education
- Metformin
2) Dual therapy
- Add DPP-4 inhibitor (gliptin) / sulfonyurea / TZD (glitazone) / SGLT-2 inhibitor / GLP-1R agonist
3) Triple therapy
- Add any of the above not used
4) Start insulin therapy alongside other medications
*3-month monitoring between each stage
*Move onto next if HbA1c >58 mmol/L
In what class of drugs does metformin belong?
Biguanide.
How does metformin work?
Reduces rate of gluconeogenesis -> reducing hepatic glucose output.
Increases insulin sensitivity.
Decreases absorption of glucose in GI tract.