Chem Path Flashcards
If pt has a normal fasting glucose, but a OGTT (2hr reading) of 9mmol/L, what does this pt has?
This pt has impaired OGTT
Polyuria, polydipsia pt with fasting glucose of 9mmol/L but OGTT of 14mmol/L, what does hit pt has?
Fasting glucose is normal but OGTT meets requirements for diabetes. Hence this pt has T2DM.
This is probably a pregnant women or a patient with significant insulin resistance, where although the fasting glucose shows IFG, the 2h value in fact diagnoses diabetes.
Thus you can only diagnose IFG where the 2h value on a GTT is <7.8 (normal) or where a GTT is not done.
Cut off values for fasting glucose and OGTT for diagnosis of T2DM
Diabetes is diagnosed on the basis of history (ie polyuria, polydipsia and unexplained weight loss) PLUS
1) a random venous plasma glucose concentration >= 11.1 mmol/l
2) OR a fasting plasma glucose concentration >= 7.0 mmol/l (whole blood >= 6.1 mmol/l)
3) OR 2 hour plasma glucose concentration >= 11.1 mmol/l 2 hours after 75g anhydrous glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
If pt is asymptomatic, repeat blood test
Ham’s test
The Ham test is a test used in the diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The test involves placing red blood cells in mild acid; a positive result (increased RBC fragility) indicates PNH or Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia.[1][2] This is now an obsolete test for diagnosing PNH due to its low sensitivity and specificity.[3]
Anti-mitochondrial antibody
PBC
Characterised by chronic granulomatous inflammation leading to damaged inter lobular bile ducts. Chronic inflammatory process leads to cholestasis, cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
Patients are usually asymptomatic. Diagnosis made based on deranged LFTs and abnormal rise in serum ALP.
98% of pts are anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) positive. ANA, SMA and ANCA may be positive but in low levels compared to AMA.
IgM may be raised.
TSH and cholesterol may be raised.
Anti-scl70
Systemic sclerosis
Multisystemic disease of unknown cause. May be limited to the skin and soft tissue in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (e.g hands, face and feet) or also involve the organs in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.
Raised levels of ANA, anti-centromere (limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis), anti-Ro, anti-topoisomerase antibodies are associated with systemic sclerosis. (SCL70)
What is Whipple’s triad
Defines hypoglycaemia
Initially used to describe insulinomas but also apply to all insulin resistance states
- Low glucose
- Symptoms of hypoglycaemia (adrenergic e.g. tremors, palpitations, sweating, hunger and neuroglycopaenic e.g. somnolence/sleepiness, confusion, incoordination, seizures, coma)
- Immediate relief of symptoms with glucose administration
Treatment for hypoglycaemia.
- Scenario 1: Pt is alert and orientated
- Scenario 2: Pt is drowsy/confused but intact swallow
- Scenario 3: Pt is unconscious/poor swallow
- Oral glucose and carbs
- rapid acting: juice and sweets
- long acting: sandwich/bread - Buccal glucose and IV access
- hypostop/glucogel - IV access
- 50ml of 50% glucose or 100m of 20% glucose
If deteriorating, refractory, insulin induced, difficult IV access consider IM glucagon (but only if the pt has glycogen stores i.e. not in anorexia nervosa)
Caution about high % glucose given via IV line - what can happen if the glucose do not go into the vein properly
This is called extravasation of IV glucose: irritant and cause phlebitis
How is glucagon administered? Route + dose. What precautions? What indications?
Indication: hypoglycaemia that is refractory to initial treatments e.g. oral, buccal glucose, IV glucose
Route: IM
Dose: 1mg
Caution: Danger of rebound hypo because release of glycogen stores as glucose may trigger insulin release
List some causes of non-diabetic reasons for hypoglycaemia?
- Fasting or reactive?
- Paediatric vs. adult
- Critically unwell
- Organ failure
- Hyperinsulinism
- Post gastric-bypass
- Drugs
- Extreme weight loss
- Factitious
Common reasons for hypoglycaemia in diabetics
• Commonest cause of hypoglycaemia • May be related to: o Medications o Inadequate CHO intake/ missed meal o Impaired awareness o Excessive alcohol o Strenuous exercise o Co-existing autoimmune conditions (sometimes, Addison’s diseases)
Schmidt’s disease
Diabetes + Addison’s disease
Also known as polyglandular autoimmune syndrome
What is carnitine deficiency? (from hypoglycaemia lecture)
Carnitine is a naturally occurring hydrophilic amino acid derivative, produced endogenously in the kidneys and liver and derived from meat and dairy products in the diet. It plays an essential role in the transfer of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for beta-oxidation.
Form of fatty acid oxidation defect
Causes neonatal hypoglycaemia with suppressed insulin and C-peptide
Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome
Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome is an overgrowth disorder usually present at birth, characterized by an increased risk of childhood cancer and certain congenital features.
Common features used to define BWS are:[1]
- macroglossia (large tongue),
- macrosomia (above average birth weight and length),
- midline abdominal wall defects (omphalocele/exomphalos, umbilical hernia, diastasis recti),
- ear creases or ear pits,
- neonatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar after birth).
- Hepatoblastoma
50 year old A&E regular, presents to A&E, appearing very unwell and intoxicated. Serum creatinine was 3x higher than that the average measured from his previous visits. Urine microscopy reveals calcium oxalate crystals.
Diagnosis?
Ethylene glycol poisoning
Ethylene glycol is the major ingredient of almost all radiator fluid products in the United States. It is added to prevent the radiator from overheating or freezing, depending on the season.
The diagnosis may be suspected when calcium oxalate crystals are seen in the urine or anion ion gap acidosis is present in the blood.
The antidotes for ethylene glycol poisoning are ethanol and fomepizole.
Equation for creatinine clearance
Calculate the creatinine clearance for the following renal patient, following a 24 hour urine collection: urine volume 2litres; urine creatinine concentration 3mmol/l and plasma creatinine concentration 208 micro mol/l.
Creatine clearance = (creatinine’s urine concentration)* (Vol) / (plasma creatinine concentration) (note: the units have to match).
Ans: 20ms/min
The 3 forms of calcium in the body and which the most common form
- Free ‘ionised’ ~50% biologically active
- Protein-bound ~40% albumin
- Complexed ~10% - citrate/phosphate
Formula for corrected Ca2+
- Corrected Ca2+ levels adjusted for any deficient in albumin
- Serum Ca2+ + 0.02*(40-serum albumin in g/L)
- ^ the real level of Ca if albumin was normal at 40 g/L
Why does Ca2+ needs to be corrected in blood tests?
- Because calcium binds to albumin, if you have low albumin, the amount of protein-bound Ca decreases but the amount of free calcium stays the same, hence you get a ‘low’ Ca2+ on sampling
- Serum Ca2+ + 0.02*(40-serum albumin in g/L)
- If the corrected Ca is normal, means that the deficient in Ca was caused by albumin and free Ca (which is the biologically active/important component) is normal and is not of concern
What is the normal range for ionised Ca2+ and what kind of sample provide you with ionised Ca2+ readings
- Normal blood samples you cannot measure ionised Ca alone because the sample clots - hence ‘corrected Ca2+’ method
- But on blood gas machine, they measure ionised Ca2+ directly hence normal would be about ~1.1-1.3 mM
What is the corrected Ca2+ if a patient is septic and has a low albumin of 30? Plasma reading of Ca from a blood test is 2.2mM
Example of Ca calculation
* Pt septic, low albumin = 30, Measured calcium = 2.2
* Corrected calcium = 2.2 + 0.02 (40-30)
= 2.2 + 0.02(10)
= 2.4mM (normal)
* Serum Ca2+ + 0.02*(40-serum albumin in g/L)
When calcium is low you look at PTH. what are some causes of low calcium and high PTH
Vit D def - dietary, malabsorption, lack of sunlight CKD (1a hydroxylation of the kidney is impaired) PTH resistance (psuedohypoPTH)
When calcium is low you look at PTH. What are some causes of low calcium and low PTH
Surgical (post thyroidectomy)
Autoimmune hypoPTH
Congenital absence of parathyroids (e.g. DiGeroge syndrome - do not have thymus)
Mg deficiency (PTH regulation - Mg is required to make PTH)
Biochemistry of primary hyperPTH
High PTH, High Ca, Low Phosphate
Biochemistry of secondary hyperPTH
Low Ca → high PTH → Low phosphate
Actions of PTH (Organs and what processes) (2+1)
- Bone - osteoclast - breakdown of bone (calcium phosphate store)
- Kidneys - reabsorption and activation of 1x hydroxylase which makes activated Vit D. Vit D then also increases intestinal absorption of Ca)
- Kidneys - stimulates renla Pi wasting
How many aa are there in PTH? where is PTH made?
- 84aa protein, only released by parathyroids
Name the animal and plant source of Vit D
- D3 (cholecalciferol) is synthesised in the skins of mammals
- D2 (ergocalciferol) is a plant vitamin
Describe the synthesis of D3 in humans
- Diet → Liver
- 100% of absorbed Vit D (ergo or chole) is hydroxylated in the liver by 25 hydroxylase
- Inactive levels are inconsequential to Ca
- Major store
- Liver → Kidney
- 1a-hydroxylase converts 25OH to 1,25(OH2) which is active
- Rarely this enzyme can be wrongly expressed in the lung cells of sarcoid tissue, which is not controlled by PTH (one reason for uncontrolled hypercalcaemia)
- Role of calcitriol (1,25 OH2 D3)
- Intestinal Ca2+ absorption
- Intestinal Pi absorption
- Critical for bone formation
- It is associated but not causative for cancer, autoimmune disease, diabetics etc etc. Vit D levels is associated with poorer social class and so are those conditions mentioned
Causes of Vit D deficiency
- Renal failure - lack of 1a hydroxylase to make activated VitD
- Anticonvulsant induce breakdown of VitD - children with seizures given anticonvulsants. Overcome by giving Vit D concurrently with anti-seizure medicine
- Lack of sunlight
- Phytic acid in chapatis (unleaven flour)
Risk factors of Vit D Deficiency
- Lack of sunlight
- Dark skin
- Dietary
- Malabsorption
Biochemistry of osteomalacia
Low vit D → low Ca → High PTH → low phosphate
(because body unable to absorb Ca without Vit D)
Raised ALP (osteoblasts trying to make new bone)
Buzzword: Looser’s zones (pseudofractures)
Osteomalacia
Presentation of osteomalacia
- Bone pain
- Tenderness
- Fractures
- Proximal myopathy (waddling gait) due to low PO4 and vit D deficiency
Define osteomalacia
Normal amount of bone but low mineralisation. This is the reverse of osteoporosis where there is loss of bone but normal mineralization.
This is most commonly due to ↓ Vit D before low Ca but also can be caused by phosphate loss when Ca and Vit D are normal.
How can low PO4 cause osteomalacia?
- Equilibrium shift. Ca + PO4 = calcium hydroxyapatitie (ie the mineral)
- Less PO4 = less mineral
In osteomalacia, there is LOW mineralisation although AMOUNT of bone is normal (v osteoporosis where there is loss in AMOUNT of bone but normal mineralisation)
- Less PO4 = less mineral
Causes of osteomalacia
- Vit D deficiency due to malabsorption, poor diet, lack of sunlight
- Renal osteodystrophy: RF → no 1a hydroxylase → no 1,25(OH)2D calcitriol
- Liver disease: reduced 25 hydroxylase → no 25(OH)D
- Drug-induced: anticonvulsants may induce liver enzymes, leading to increased breakdown of 25(OH)D
- Tumour (oncogenic hypophosphataemia): Tumour production of FGF-23 ↑ PO4 in urine, = hypoPO4 → weakness and myalgia
- Vit D resistance: inherited conditions that require high dose Vit D supplementation
Treatment of osteomalacia according to aetiology (3)
- Vit D if deficiency
- If renal and no 1a hydroxylase, give 1a hydroxylase (alfacalcidol) or just give calcitriol straight
- If Vit D resistance, high does vit D or just give calcitriol
Presentation of rickets in children (4)
- Bowed legs
- Costochondral swelling
- Widened epiphysis at the wrists
- Myopathy
- Featuers of hypoCa - mild
Define osteoporosis. Describe the biochemical changes
- Reduction in bone density (normal mineralisation)
* No biochemical changes - Ca, PTH, VitD normal
Presentation of osteoporosis
- Cause of pathological fracture - first symptom of osteoporosis is a fracture
Typically neck of femur fracture, vertebral, wrist (Colle’s)
osteoporosis is a age-related process that happens in everyone. But what are some risk factors that exacerbates the decline or starts it earlier?? Think of both dietary/lifestyle and hormonal
- Poor diet of Ca
- Oestrogen and testosterone deficiency e.g. post menopausal women, Klinefelters
- Cushing’s and hyperthyroidism
- Meds e.g. steroids
- Prolonged intercurrent illness/childhood illness which means that they might fail to attain peak bone mass
How to interpret a DEXA scan? what is a the T-score or Z-score. How are they different and what is the cut off for diagnosing osteoporosis
- T-score - sd from mean of young healthy population (useful to determine fracture risk)
- Z-score - sd of mean of aged-matched control (useful to identify accelerated bone loss in younger patients)
- T
At which age do bone start undergoing decline in bone mass
20y.o
Treatment for osteoporosis (both lifestyle and meds)
- Lifestyle
- Weight-bearing exercise
- Stop smoking
- Reduce EtOH
- Drugs
- VitD/Ca
- Bisphosphonates (e.g. alendronate) to decrease bone resorption
- MOA: phosphonate don’t exist in nature. When given bisphosphonates, calcium sometimes instead of combining with phosphate (normal) in bone, it combines with phosphonate. Calcium phosphonate is added to the bone and cannot be broken down
- SE: nausea, gastric
- Teriparatride (PTH derivative) - anabolic
- Strontium - anabolic + anti-resorptive
- (Oestrogen - HRT if early menopause) but can cause breast cancer
- SERMs e.g. raloxifene (agonist in bone but antagonist in breast), but worsen hot flushes/vasomotor symptoms
Symptoms of high Ca (distinguish these from symptoms of hyperPTH)
- Polyuria/polydipsia (due to peripheral DI)
- Constipation - slows down gut transition - thrones
- Neuro - confusions/seizures/coma - psychiatric undertones
- Unlikely unless Ca>3.0mM
You don’t get bone issues because those are related to PTH and low phosphate
DDx of high Ca and high PTH/inappropriately normal PTH
- Primary hyperPTH
2. Familial hypocalcuric hypercalcaemia
Ddx of high Ca and low PTH
- Malignancy
- Sarcoid
- Vit D Excess
- Hyperthyroidism
- Milk alkali syndrome
Causes of primary hyperPTH (list from most common to list common)
- Parathyroid adenoma
- PTH hyperplasia → also associated with MEN1 with pit adenoma and pancreatic tumours
- PTH carcinoma
(most common to least common)
- 80% due to solitary adenoma
- 20% hyperplasia of all glands
- <0.5% parathyroid cancer
MEN 1
3P
Pituitary adenoma
PTH hyperplasia
Pancreatic tumours
Sx of hyperPTH (distinguish from hyperCa)
- Bones - PTH bone disease
- Renal stones
- Constipation, pancreatitis - abdominal moans
- Confusion - psychiatric groans
- High BP (triggered by high ca)
Commoner signs of bone resorption of PTH
* Pain
* Fractures
* Osteopenia and osteoporosis
RARE: osteitis fibrosa cystica (due to severe resorption, rare) - subperiosteal erosions, cysts or brown tumours +/- pepperpot skull
Biochemistry of hyperPTH + any other investigations
- Blood:
- High Ca
- High PTH
- Low PO4
- Raised ALP from bone activity
- Urine: High Ca
- Imaging: osteitits fibrosa cystica (due to severe resorption, rare) - subperiosteal erosions, cysts or brown tumours +/- pepperpot skull
- DEXA for osteoporosis
- US/MRI to localize an adenoma
Treatment for hyperPTH
Mild:
- Increase fluid intake to prevent stones (for high Ca)
- Avoid thiazides, high Ca or high Vit D intake
- Thiazides prevent Ca excretion
- Excise adenoma or all 4 hyperplastic glands to prevent fractures and peptic ulcers. If recur after excision give Cinacalcet (to increase sensitivity of parathyroid to Ca so that will suppress PTH
What is FHH (familial hypocalcuric hyperCa)? And how do you differentiate these pts from primary hyperPTH
- Gene defect in calcium sensing receptor (CaSR)
- Results in higher ‘set point’ for PTH release → mild hypercalcaemia
- Reduced urine Ca2+ - Differentiating point
- You do not want to remove parathyroid in these patients
Cancer and hypercalcaemia - 3 types
- Small lung cancer - PTHrP
- PTHrP is always 0 un adults unless there is cancer
- Useless in adult life but in foetus, PTHrP overrides mum’s PTH to allow baby to make skeleton/monopolise mother’s Ca.
- Also important for breasts to produce milk
- But this also means if that you have PTHrP in adulthood, it is very aggressive in causing hypercalaemia and most likely do not survive for more than 6 months
- Bone mets (e.g. breast cancer)
- Haematological malignancy (e.g. myeloma)
- Cytokines
Other causes of non-PTH driven hypercalcaemia besides cancer
- Sarcoidosis (non-renal 1a hydroxylase)
- Thyrotoxicosis (thyroxine drives bone resorption)
- Hypoadrenalism (renal Ca2+ transport)
- Thiazide diuretics (renal Ca2+ transport, excrete Ca-free urine)
- Excess Vit D
Treatment of hyperCa
- Acute: Fluids++++
- If cause is known to be cancer - given bisphosphonate (to stop invasion of osteoclast into bone). Otherwise avoid
- Treat underlying cause