Chempath - pituitary + adrenals + lipid management Flashcards
High TSH and high prolactin
Primary hypothyroidism
TRH stimulates…?
TSH and prolactin
Prolactin levels in a non-functioning pituitary adenoma?
Super high prolactin
normally, dopamine inhibits prolactin release. In non-functioning pituitary adenoma, dopamine release is affected
Sheehan’s syndrome - TSH levels?
normal
How to assess visual field in macro adenoma?
Humphreys 30-2 test
How does lactational amenorrhoea work (i.e. breastfeeding prevents pregnancy how??)
Prolactin –> inhibits GnRH release
Prolactinoma is when prolactin is…
> 6000
Pituitary microadenoma - how should you approach these patients?
Most of them are asymptomatic + don’t grow - removing the pit gland would require medications for life
. Scan 1 year later
Pituitary function testing - what 3 things do you give?
- Induce hypoglycaemia w insulin 0.15U/kg
- give GnRH (to see if LH/FSH is released) 100mcg
- give TRH (to see if TSH if released) 200mcg
What must be checked in a patient before testing for pituitary function?
No Hx of epilepsy
Normal ECG
No cardiac RFs
–> hypoglycaemia is dangerous ok1!!
How to prevent dangerous hypoglycaemia when testing pituitary function
Ensure iv access with large bore canulae (so dextrose can be given if induced hypoglycaemia is too extreme)
What is the first symptom of hypoglycaemia?
Sympathetic activation: palpitations + sweating
Hypoglycaemia at around 2mM - how does the patient respond?
AGGRESSION
In a patient undergoing combined pituitary function testing: if severe hypoglycemia/unconsciousness occurs, how do you rescue the patient?
50mL of 20% dextrose
what dose of insulin is given in combined pituitary function test?
0.15units/kg