Adrenal insufficiency Flashcards
Adrenal insufficiency is where the adrenal glands don’t produce enough steroid hormones, particularly ?
cortisol and aldosterone
What is Addisons disease
adrenal glands have become damaged resulting in reduction in secretion of cortisol and aldosterone
what is Addison disease also known as
primary adrenal insufficiency
what is the most common cause of Addisons
autoimmune
what is secondary adrenal insufficiency
inadequate ACTH stimulating the adrenal gland resulting in low cortisol release
What is secondary adrenal sufficiency a result of
loss or damage to the pituitary gland
what is Sheehans syndrome
where there is massive blood loss during childbirth leafs to pituitary gland necrosis
Tertiary Adrenal Insufficiency is the result of inadequate CRH release by the hypothalamus. This is usually the result of patients being on
long term steroids which suppression hypothalamus
what are the symptoms of Addisons disease
fatigue nausea cramps abdo pain reduced libido
why does Addisons cause bronze hyperpigmentation to the skin
ACTH stimulates melanocytes to produce. melanin
what other signs are present in Addisons apart from bronze hyperpigmentation
postural hypotension
What is sometimes the only pressing feature of adrenal insufficiency
hyponatreamia
What is the test of choice to diagnose adrenal insuufficeny
short synacthen test
adrenal autoantibodies are present in 80% of autoimmune adrenal insufficiency. Name them
adrenal cortex antibodies
21-hydroxylase antibodies
What is the short synacthen test
test involves giving synacthen which is a synthetic AC\th
- healthy adrenal glands will be stimulated by this and produce cortisol and the cortisol levels should be at least double
- less than double of baseline indicates Addisons
