Basic Principles of Endocrinology

Question 1

what are the 3 basic hormone subtypes?

Answer 1

proteins & peptides
steroids
Tyrosine & tryptophan derivatives

Question 2

what are the 4 hormone receptors?

Answer 2

G-protein coupled receptors
Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) families
Receptors associated with tyrosine kinase activity
Steroid hormone receptors

Question 3

what activity do RTK families intrinsically possess?

Answer 3

tyrosine kinase activity

Question 4

give an example of an RTK family?

Answer 4

insulin receptor

Question 5

give 2 examples of cytokine receptors?

Answer 5

prolactin receptor

growth hormone receptor

Question 6

what are cytokine receptors linked to?

Answer 6

tyrosine kinase activity

Question 7

where are steroid hormone receptors typically found in relation to the cell?

Answer 7

intracellularly

Question 8

what does the nuclear receptor family include?

Answer 8

oestrogen & androgen receptors

Question 9

how do steroid hormone receptors work?

Answer 9

steroid/receptor complex binds DNA response elements resulting in changes in gene transcription

Question 10

what is the major determinant of hormone concentration?

Answer 10

rate of secretion

Question 11

what does the thyroid axis rely on?

Answer 11

highly regulated feedback control

Question 12

what does a formal assessment of HPA axis function require?

Answer 12

dynamic testing (circadian rhythms)

Question 13

testing of what chemical in the body can indicate GH hypersecretion?

Answer 13

IGF-1

Question 14

what is prolactin secreted by?

Answer 14

lactotroph cells of the anterior pituitary

Question 15

what is the tonic state of prolactin?

Answer 15

under tonic inhibition by hypothalamic dopamine

Question 16

what type of feedback is the secretion of prolactin regulated by?

Answer 16

“short-loop” negative feedback

Question 17

is biochemical testing of pituitary done before or after imaging typically?

Answer 17

biochemical testing done first

Question 18

Cushing’s syndrome

Answer 18

cortisol excess

Question 19

adrenal insufficiency

Answer 19

cortisol deficiency

Question 20

stimulation of cortisol test

Answer 20

synacthen test

Question 21

suppression of cortisol test

Answer 21

dexamethasone suppression test

Question 22

what test would you give if you suspect there being too much cortisol in someone’s body?

Answer 22

suppression test

failure to suppress Cushing’s syndrome