Disease of the Adrenal and Pituitary Glands Flashcards
What is addison’s disease?
Adrenal insufficiency–most commonly immune disease–but can be from tuberculosis
Adrenal crisis is caused by what?
infection or stress
Primary adrenal failure is lack of what?
corticosteriods produced by the adrenal gland
Secondary adrenal failure is lack of what?
ACTH produced by the pituitary
What are some symptoms of adrenal failure?
anorexia, weight loss, nausea, myalgias, orthostatic hypotension, hyperpigmentation (weird places like gums) (in primary)
What are the symptoms of addisonian crisis?
hypotension, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, altered mental status
What do labs show in addisonian crisis?
hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, hypercalcemia, low BUN, low morning cortisol, high ACTH
What is the cosytropin test?
give cosytropin and see if the cortisol rises (if it doesn’t think addisons)
What is the treatment for addisons?
hydrocortisone or prednisone
What is the treatment for addisonian crisis?
IV saline, glucose and glucocorticoids
What is cushing’s disease?
too much cortisol
What are some causes of cushing’s disease?
ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma, adrenal tumor, small cell lung cancer
What are the clinical features of cushings?
obesity, hypertension, increased thirst, proximal muscle weakness, pigmented striae, impaired wound healing
What labs will you see for cushings?
high urine cortisol, hypercalcemia, hypokalemia
What are two tests you can do if you have high cortisol?
MRI to look for pituitary tumor and dexamethasone suppression test
