Clinical Chemistry Flashcards
What are the causes of HYPERthyroidism?
- Autoimmune- Grave’s disease
- Thyroid nodules
- Chemical toxicity eg. Amiodarone
What are the clinical signs of HYPERthyroidism?
Increased metabolic rate: Diarrhoea, weight loss anxiety
Increased sympathetic drive: Sweating, tachycardia, tremor
Goitre
Thyroid acropachy
Exophthalmos
Lid retraction
Pretibial myxoedema
What is thyroid acropatchy?
Extreme mannifestation of hyperthyroidism
Clubbing
Painful finger and toe swelling
Periosteal bone reaction
What is pretibial myxoedema?
Oedematous swelling above the lateral malleoli
Due to hyaluronic acid deposition
Discoloured skin
What is exophthalmos
Anterior bulging of the eye out of the orbit
What are the treatments for HYPERTHYROIDISM?
- Thionamides eg. Carbimazole which inhibit thyroid peroxidase
- Radioactive iodine
- Thyroidectomy
What are the causes of HYPOTHYROIDISM?
- Autoimmune- Hashimoto’s
- Iodine deficiency
- Pituitary disease
What are the clinical signs of HYPOthyroidism?
Weight gain Dry skin and hair Hoarse voice Bradycardia Constipation Tiredness Round puffy face Depression
What are the treatments for HYPOthyroidism?
- Levothyroxine - aim for normal TSH, check after 4 weeks
Which hormones are produced by the anterior pituitary?
Growth Hormone Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Prolactin FSH and LH ACTH
Which hormones are released by the posterior pituitary?
Oxytocin
ADH
What are the clinical features of a prolactinoma?
Galactorrhoea (spontaneous milk production)
Amenorrhoea
Loss of axillary/pubic hair
What causes a prolactinoma?
Pituitary adenoma
What is the treatment for a prolactinoma?
Dopamine agonists eg. Bromocriptine, Cabergoline
as dopamine inhibits prolactin synthesis
Rare side effects = manic symptoms
What are the clinical features of acromegaly?
Large hands/ feet
Wide nose
Sweating and headache
Cardiomyopathy, hypertension, diabetes
What are the treatments for acromegaly?
- Trans-sphenoidal surgery 1st line
- Somatostatin analogues eg. Lanreotide, Ocreotide which are growth hormone inhibiting hormone
- Pegvisomant if resistant
What is the role of ADH?
Acts on renal collecting ducts, reabsorption of water via aquaporins
Makes urine more concentrated
What happens in diabetes insipidus?
Too LITTLE ADH produced due to posterior pituitary damage
Large volume urine
Blood more concentrated
Causes hypernatraemia, thirst, polyuria
What is the treatment for diabetes insipidus?
Desmopressin (ADH analogue)
What happens in SIADH?
Too much ADH produced, causes low urine output and increased blood volume so hyponatraemia
What are the causes of SIADH?
Head injury
Malignancy- lung small cell, pancreas, prostate
Infection - Pneumonia, meningitis
Medication- Diuretics, AEDs, SSRIs
What are the treatments for SIADH?
- Volume restriction
- Vasopressin antagonists (Vaptans)
- Demeclocycline
What is Addison’s disease?
Primary adrenal insufficiency
Leads to decreased adrenalin, cortisol and aldosterone
What are the causes of HYPERnatraemia?
Volume loss- diarrhoea, vomit, burns Diabetes insipidus Primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's) Iatrogenic- incorrect fluid replacement Osmotic diuresis
How is hypernatraemia managed?
- Oral fluid
- Glucose 5% IV 1:6
- Saline 0.9% if volume depleted
What are the causes of hyponatraemia?
IF DEHYRDRATED:
- Loss via kidneys: Addison’s excess diuretics, renal failure, osmotic diuresis
- Loss elsewhere: diarrhoea, vomit, burns, fistulae, bowel obstruction, CF, trauma
IF NOT DEHYDRATED:
- Cardiac failure, renal failure, liver cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome
- SIADH, volume overload, severe hypothyroidism
What is the treatment for hyponatraemia?
Correct sodium/ water loss:
- Fluid restrict if asymptomatic
- Saline 0.9% slowly
- Vaptans- vasopressor receptor antagonists- promote water loss without sodium loss
What is the risk if saline is given too quickly to correct Hyponatraemia?
Central Pontine Myelinolysis
Irreversible and often fatal pontine demyelination seen in rapid correction of low sodium.
What is normal plasma osmolality?
275-295mOsm/Kg
Which foods are high in potassium?
Banana Prune juice Papaya Raisins Mango Orange Pear
After a potassium load, which hormones are released?
Insulin Aldosterone Catecholamines (adrenalin, noradrenalin, dopamine)
How do insulin and catecholamines impact on potassium levels?
IF potassium INCREASES, insulin and catecholamines cause INCREASED uptake of potassium to cells (skeletal muscle, liver and adipose)
How does aldosterone impact on potassium levels?
It INCREASES the amount of potassium excreted renally
What are the potassium levels in metabolic ACIDOSIS?
HYPERkalaemic
What are the potassium levels in metabolic ALKALOSIS?
HYPOKalaemic
What ECG changes are seen in HYPERKalaemia?
- Tall tented T waves
- Wide QRS complex
- Flattened P wave