7.5 Endocrine Pathologies Flashcards
What are the three basic patterns of endocrine pathology?
Hormone excess, hormone deficiency, abnormal responsiveness of target tissues.
What is hypersecretion?
when a hormone is present in excessive amounts, exaggerating its normal effects.
What is hyposecretion?
when too little hormone is secreted, leading to diminished or eliminated effects.
what is an example of hypersecretion involving cortisol?
Excessive cortisol production due to a tumour in the adrenal cortex.
What is down-regulation?
when cells decrease the number of hormone receptors to reduce response to excess hormones.
Example of hyposecretion involving the thyroid hormone?
Hyposecretion of thyroid hormone due to iodine deficiency.
What is abnormal responsiveness of target tissues and why does it occur?
when target tissues respond abnormally to hormones due to receptor or signal transduction issues.
Example of receptor abnormality involving Androgen insensitivity syndrome?
Androgen insensitivity syndrome, where nonfunctional androgen receptors result in the appearance of female genitalia in a male fetus.
Example of down-regulation Hyperinsulinemia?
Hyperinsulinemia where high insulin levels lead to reduced insulin receptors on cells.
What do receptor or signal transduction abnormality cause?
Problems with hormone receptors or signal transduction pathways that cause abnormal hormone responses.
How is primary endocrine pathology diagnosed (where does the problem arise)?
If the problem arises in the last endocrine gland of a reflex pathway.
How is tertiary endocrine pathology diagnosed (where does the problem arise and what does it affect)?
If the problem arises in the hypothalamus, affecting trophic hormone’ production.
How is secondary endocrine pathology diagnosed (where does the problem arise, and what does it affect)?
If the problem arises in the anterior pituitary, affecting hormone production from a downstream gland.
What indicates a primary disorder in cortisol secretion?
High cortisol levels with low levels of CRH and ACTH.
What indicates a secondary disorder in cortisol secretion?
High cortisol and ACTH levels with low CRH levels
