Adrenal Disorders Flashcards
What are the signs of cortisol deficiency?
Weakness
Tiredness
Weight loss
Hypoglycaemia
What are the signs of mineralocorticoid deficiency?
Dizziness
Low sodium
High potassium
What are the signs of androgen deficiency?
Low libido
Loss of body hair in women
What are the signs of cortisol excess?
Weight gain
Cushingoid features
What are the signs of mineralocorticoid excess?
High BP
Low sodium
What are the signs of androgen excess?
Increased male characteristics in women
Presentation of excessive catecholamine secretion
Acute episodes
Sweating Anxiety Palpitations High/low BP Collapse
What is primary adrenal failure?
Destruction of adrenal cortex
Addison’s
What is secondary adrenal failure?
ACTH deficiency from hypopituitarism
What is steroid-induced hypoadrenalism?
ACTH suppression
What are symptoms of Addison’s disease?
Fatigue Weakness Weight losss Nausea Abdominal pain Pigmentation
What are causes of primary adrenal failure?
Autoimmune
Infection
- TB
- fungal
- AIDS
Infiltration
- amyloid
- haemochromatosis
Malignancy
What are the clinical features of an adrenal crisis?
Collapse
Hypotension
Dehydration
Pigmentation
What do the blood tests show in an adrenal crisis?
Hyponatraemia
Hyperkalaemia
High urea
High creatinine
Low cortisol
What is the treatment for an adrenal crisis?
IV Hydrocortison
IV fluids - rapid
Correction for hypoglycaemia
Search for cause
Maintenance treatment for Addison’s disease
Glucocorticoid
- hydrocortisone
- prednisolone
Mineralocorticoid
- fludrocortisone
Education
- double dose during illness
- steroid card
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
Glucocorticoid excess
Signs of Cushing’s
Round pink face Skinny/weak arms Thin skin Purple abdomen striae High BP Osteoporosis
Causes of Cushing’s
Pituitary tumour
Adrenal tumour
Ectopic ACTH
What is adrenal Cushing’s syndrome?
Adrenal tumour secreting glucocorticoids
How does adrenal Cushing’s syndrome present?
ACTH supressed
Adrogenic symptoms
- hirsutism
- acne
- greasy skin
Treatment for adrenal Cushing’s syndrome
Adrenalectomy
What is primary hyperaldosteronism ?
Excess production of aldosterone from adrenal gland
What can cause primary hyperaldosteronism?
Conn’s syndrome
Aldosterone secreting adrenal adenoma
Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
