Biochemistry AS Flashcards
What would you see on bloods in dehydration?
Increased urea, creatinine
Increased albumin
Increased haematocrit
Disproportionately increased urea to creatinine.
What would you see in a low GFR?
Increased Urea Increased Creatinine Increased H+ Increased Potassium Increased PO4 Decreased Ca
Tubular dysfunction
Normal U and Cr
Decreased K, decreased Urate, decreased PO4, decreased HCO3.
What would you see in thiazide and loop diuretics (furosemide)
Decreased Sodium
Decreased Potassium
Increased HCO3
Increased Urate
Hepatocellular Disease views?
ETOH = AST:ALT>2, increased GGT
Viral = AST: ALT <2
Increased bilirubin, increased ALP, decreased albumin, increased PT (APTT increased if end-stage).
Cholestasis on blood test?
Increased ALP, increaseD GGT, increased bilirubin, increased AST.
Excess EtOH intake blood test levels?
Increased GGT, Increased MCV, evidence of hepatocellular disease.
Addison’s disease bloods?
Increase potassium, decreased Na
Cushing’s Disease bloods?
May show: decreased K, Increased sodium, increased HCO3
Conn’s disease bloods?
Decreased K
Increased Na
Increased HCO3
Diabetes insipidus bloods?
Increased sodium
Increased serum osmolality
Decreased urine osmolality
SIADH bloods?
Patient presents with hyponatraemia, then to check osmolality of the urine,
Decreased sodium
Decreased serum osmolality
Increased urine osmolality
Increased Urine Na
Hyponatremia - levels and symptoms
<135: n/v, anorexia, malaise
<130: headache, confusion
<125: seizure, non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema
<115: coma and death
What are the causes of hypovolaemic hyponataemia
U Na > 20nM (= renal loss)
- Diuretics
- Addison’s
- Osmolar diuresis (e.g glucose)
- Renal failure (diuretic phase)
U Na < 20mM (extra-renal loss)
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- SBO
- Burns
What are the causes of hypervolaemic hyponatraemia
Cardiac failure
Nephrotic syndrome
Cirrhosis
Renal failure
Euvolaemic hyponatraemia?
U osmolality >500 - SIADH
U osmolality <500 - Water overload, severe hypothyroidism, glucocorticoid insufficiency
Management of Hyponatraemia?
Correct underlying cause
- Replace Na and water at the same rate they were lost. Beware if you replace too fast you get central pontine myelinolysis.
- Chronic: 10mM/d
- Acute: 1mM/hr.
Low to high, pons will die
High to low, brain will blow.
Normally <0.5mmol/hr.
Asymptomatic chronic hyponatraemia
- Fluid restrict
Symptomatic/acute hyponatremia/dehydrated
- Caution rehydration with 0.9% saline.
If hypervolaemic consider frusemide
Emergency: seizure, coma
- consider hypertonic saline. (1.8%).
What is SIADH?
Concentrated urine: Na >20mM, osmolality >500.
Hyponatraemia or plasma osmolality <275.
Absence of hypovolaemia, oedema, or diuretics.
Causes of SIADH?
Resp: SCLC, pneumonia, TB
CNS: meningoencephalitis, head injury, SAH
Endo: hypothyroidism
Drugs: cyclophosphamide, SSRI, CBZ
Management of SIADH?
Treat cause and fluid restrict
Vasopressin receptor antagonist
- Demeclocycline
- Vaptans
Hypernatraemia presentation?
Thirst Lethargy Weakness Irritability Confusion, fits, coma Signs of dehydration
In children can lead to cerebral shrinkage. Can be due to dehydration, profuse, low-sodium diarrhoea.
Manage w
Causes of hypovolaemic hypernatraemia
GI Loss: diarrhoea, vomiting
Renal loss: diuretics, osmotic diuresis
Skin: Sweating, burns
Causes of euvolaemic hypernatraemia?
Decreased fluid intake
DI
Fever
Causes of hypervolaemic hypernatraemia ?
- Hyperaldosteronism (Increased BP, decreased K, alkalosis)
- Hypertonic saline.
Investigation of Hypernatraemia?
Increased Na
Dilute Urine
Dx: Water deprivation test
Management of hypernatraemia
Treat cause.
Manage with slow infusion over 48 to reduce risk of cerebral oedema.
Desmopressin if cranial.
Symptoms of hypokalaemia?
Muscle weakness Hypotonia Hyporeflexia Cramps Tetany Palpitations Arrhythmia
NB: decreased potassium exacerbates digoxin toxicity
ECG findings of Hypokalaemia?
Results from delayed ventricular repolarisation
- Flattened /inverted T waves
- Prominent U waves (after T waves)
- ST depression
- Long PR interval
- Long QT interval.
Causes of hypokalaemia?
Alkalosis
Increased insulin
B-agonists
Increased excretion
- GI: vomiting, diarrhoea, rectal villous adenoma
- Renal: RTA (esp Type 2), Bartter syndrome
- Drugs: diuretics, steroids
- Endo: Conn’s syndrome , Cushing’s syndrome
Decreased input
- Inappropriate IV fluid management
Management of general hypokalaemia?
- 1mM K = 200-300mmol total deficit
- Don’t give K if oliguric
- Never give STAT fast bolus
Management of mild hypokalaemia?
K >2.5
- Oral K supplements
- > 80mmol/d.
Severe: K<2.5 and/or dangerous symptoms - IV KCL cautiously - 10mmol/h (20mmol/h max) - Give centrally (burning sensation peripherally) Max central conc: 60mM Max peripheral conc: 40mM
Mg replacement
- Pts are often Mg deplete too
- Until Mg is replaced the K will not return to normal levels despite K replacement
- Give empiric Mg Replacement.
Symptoms of hyperkalaemia?
Fast, irregular pulse
Palpitations
Chest pain
Weakness
SIgns of hyperkalaemia?
Tall tented T waves Flattened P waves Increased PR interval WIdened QRS Sine-wave pattern --> VF
Causes of Hyperkalaemia?
Artefact
- Haemolysis
- K2EDTA contamination from FBC bottles
- Leucocytosis, thrombocytosis
- Drip arm
Internal distribution
- Acidosis
- Decreased insulin
- Cell death/tissue trauma/burns
- Digoxin poisoning
- Suxamethonium
Decreased excretion - Oliguric renal fialure - Addison's - Drugs: ACEi, NSAIDs, K-sparing diuretics (spiro) Heparin (inhibition of aldosterone secretion)
Increased input
- Excessive K therapy
- Massive transfusion
Management of hyperkalaemia?
Non-urgent
- treat cause: review meds
- Polystyrene sulphonate resin: Binds K in the GIT and decreased K over days.
Emergency: Evidence of myocardial instability or K >6.5
- 10ml 10% calcium gluconate
- 100ml 20% glucose + 10u insulin (actrapid)
- Salbutamol 5mg nebuliser
- Haemofiltration
- Calcium resonium 15g PO or 30g PR.
How does PTH affect Ca and PO4?
Increased Ca
Decreased PO4
Ionised Ca –> PTH release.
Renal effect of PTH?
- Increased Ca
- Decreased PO4 resorption
Increased 1a-hydroxylation of 25-OH Vit D3 in kidney - Increased HCo3 excretion (may –> mild met acidosis)
Bone effects of PTH?
Increased osteoclast activity –> increased Ca, increased PO4.