Critical care endocrine Flashcards
What do blood tests show in addisons?
Low sodium
High potassium
High ACTH
Low cortisol
How would you confirm diagnosis of addison’s?
Short synacthen test
Synacthen (ACTH analogue) normally causes increase in cortisol
Does not occur in addison’s
How would you manage hypotensive pt with suspected addison’s?
Resuscitate according to CCRISP protocol
15L O2
IV access, bloods (FBC, U+E, CRP, ACTH, Cortisol–> if possible before starting tx
IVI
IV hydrocortisone
Monitor blood glucose
What are the causes of addison’s disease?
Addison’s disease
-Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
-autoimmune adrenalitis
Addisonian crisis
-Iatrogenic (e.g. withdrawal high dose steroids)
-Surgery
-Trauma
-Infection
Describe layers of adrenal gland and function
Zona glomerulosa (mineralocorticoids–> aldosterone)
Zona reticularis (glucocorticoids –> cortisol)
Zona fasciculata (oestrogens and androgens –> oestriol, progesterone, testosterone)
Medulla (catecholamines–> adrenaline)
Where is ACTH released from?
Anterior pituitary
What is addison’s disease?
-Also known as primary adrenal insufficiency
-Characterised by inadequate production of aldosterone and cortisol by two outer layers adrenal cortex
Addison’s disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency,[4] is a rare long-term endocrine disorder characterized by inadequate production of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone by the two outer layers of the cells of the adrenal glands (adrenal cortex), causing adrenal insufficiency
-Addison’s refers specifically to primary adrenal insufficiency rather than iatrogenic
What hormones are produced by pituitary?
Anterior: growth hormone, ACTH, TSH, FSH, LH, prolactin
Intermediate lobe: MSH (melanocyte stimulating hormone)
Posteiror: ADH, oxytocin
Describe actions of glucocorticoids:
Cardiovascular:
–> increases myocardial contractility
–> increases vasoconstriction
Immune system
–> antiinflammatory
–> immunosuppressive
Metabolism:
–Increases gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis during fasting
-Increases glycogen storage during feeding
Bones
–Increases bone resorption and risk of fracture
Pituitary axis for cortisol and thyroid hormone
Hypothalamus –> Pituitary –> adrenal cortex
CRH –> ACTH –> cortisol
TRH–> TSH –> T3, T4
What would be your differential for pathological fracture with hypercalcaemia?
-Hypercalcaemia secondary to hyperparathyroidism
-metastases
-Multiple myeloma
Which cells release PTH?
Chief cells within parathyroid gland
What are the actions of PTH?
Kidney:
–> Increased calcium absorption in distal tubule
–> Decreased phosphate absorption in proximal and distal tubule
–> Increased 1 alpha hydroxylase, causing production 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D: increased calcium resorption in small intestine
Bone:
–> increased action of osteoclasts: increased release of calcium and phosphate from bone
What is primary hyperparathyroidism?
-Excess parathyroid production by parathyroid gland
-May be due to adenoma or carcinoma
-PTH produced regardless of calcium level
What is secondary hyperparathyroidism?
-Excess PTH production in response to low calcium state e.g. renal failure
-PTH production in response to low ca
What is tertiary hyperparathyroidism
-Caused by hyperplasia parathyroid gland following secondary hyperparathyroid
-PTH produced in response to normal ca