Adrenal gland disorders Flashcards
ACTH independent CYshing SYnd
High cortisol but low ACTH (due to negative FB)
1) Adrenal tumor produces high cortisol directly ->negative FB on ACTH so ACTH is low
2) nueroendocrine tumore
3) PHEOchromocytoma
ACTH dependent Cushings Synd
High cortisol and high ACTH due to ACTH producing tumor (pit or ectopic)
1) Pit Adenoma is #1 cause - secretes high ACTH -> high cortisol
2) Ectopic ACTH - small cell LUNG CA is #2
but also ovary, pancreatic , thymus CA
3) HypoThalamus produces high CRH -> high ACTH -> high cortisol
Dx work up for cushing syndrome
Plasma Cortisol level (looking for high cortisol):
Abnormal is >25 at 8 am and doesn’t drop by 1/3-2/3 at 4pm
(if at 8 am its’ 75, at 4 pm should be 50)
Serum ACTH level in cushing syndrom
should be low in ACTH independent
high if ACTH dependent: at 8 am >80, at 4 pm >50 or
low is ACTH indep: <20 at any time
how is 11-deoxycortisol measured and why
it’s a precursor to cortisol
measure by radioimmunoassay
Dexamethasone suppression test
suppress cortisol with DST (can’t gell ACTH levels)
Abnormal if cortisol > 5 in am -> cushings
24 hr urine free cortisol
definitive confirmation
measures 17 OCHS
MAIN STAY for Dx
Abnormal if cortisol >125
what is the gold standard for screening of cushings
DST suppression test
what is the main stay for dx of cushing
24 hr urine cortisol - confirmation
4 Dx work ups for Cushings synd
1) Plasma cortisol (8 am and should decrease by 1/3-2/3 at 4 pm) and Serum ACTH (8 adn 4)
2) Dexamethasone suppression test (Gold standard - only tests cortisol)
3) 24 hr urine for cortisol (definite confirmation of dx)
4) salivery samples bf brushing teath (9 am x 3 days for adrenal insuff and 11 pm x 3 days for Cushings)
Salivary sampling
before brush teeth,
9 AM x 3 day for adrenal insuff (cortisol should be high, if low -> adrenal insuff)
11 pm x 3 day for Cushings ( cortisol should be low, if high -> cushings)
How to Dx cushings
1) exclude exogenous use of cortisol (for autoimmune dz, ashthma)
2) Is cushings due to pituitary tumor (ACTH dep’t)
3) Is it due to ectopic ACTH producing tumor?
- get clinical clue from hx, maybe CXR to rule out lung mass ((Small cell LUNG CA #2 cause of ACTH dept, pituitary adenoma is #1), PELVIC U/S for OVARIAN CA
4) Is it adrenal tumor (ACTH indep’t/ high cortisol -> low ACTH):
- palpate abdomen for masses
- maybe CT abdomen
If cushings due to pituitary adenoma - what tx
pit adenoma (ACTH dept) - do trans-sphenoidal resection (ENT surgery)
If adrenal tumor causing cushings
(ACTH indept) - do adrenalectomy (general surgery)
if exogenous corticoid use is the cause of cushings
taper to lowest effective dose that can tx pt’s sx
if adrenal hyperplasia (ACTH independent) or inoperable ectopic
do medical tx - oncology
Most common cause of cushings is
ACTH producing pituitary adenoma
most common cause of cushingoid sx is
exogenous stroid use (but not tumor, why if adenoma is #1 cause?)
Sx of cushings
Central obesity, stretch marks, moon face
Spontaneous ecchymosis (bruises), virilization
unexplained OSTEOPOROSIS, HTN
NEW onset insulin resistance/DM
Cushings Tx
Mitotane - kills cortisol producing cell
Kenoconazole - antifungal in high dose but major SE: liver tox
Metyrapone - inhibits cortisol synthesis
what is the major SE of ketokonazole
LIVER TOXicity
Mitotane is used to tx which disorder
Cushings
Metyrapone is use to tx what
cushings
ketoconazole is used to tx what
cushings