Endocinology Flashcards
What is T1DM?
Hyperglycaemia due to insulin deficiency.
By autoimmune destruction of beta cells of the pancreas.
Cause of T1DM?
Autoimmune
Genetic: HLA-DR3-DQ2 or HLA-DR4-DQ8
Enterovirus
Risk factors of T1DM (5)
Northern European
Family history (HLA)
Autoimmune diseases (Coeliacs, Addisons)
Enteroviruses
Vit D deficiency
Pathophysiology of T1DM
Autoantibodies destroy insulin-secreting Beta cells
Causes insulin deficiency
Leads to hyperglycaemia
Makes you thirsty
Lots of urine containing glucose
Can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis if no insulin given
Insulin is required to move glucose from blood into cells.
GLUT 4 (insulin regulated glucose transporter)
Signs & Symptoms of T1DM
Lean
Glucose + ketones in urine
Glove and stocking
Reduced visual acuity
Diabetic foot
Thirsty
Lots of urine
Weight loss
Lethargy
What effect does ketoacidosis have on the body?
Ketone bodies are strong acids:
lower the pH of the blood
impairs Hb ability to bind O2
acute kidney injury
reduced glucose supply to cells due to lack of insulin THUS ketones formed
Investigations of T1DM (4)
1- Blood glucose ≥11mmol/L
2- Fasting blood glucose:≥7.0 mmol/L
Two abnormal values are required in asymptomatic individuals
3- Oral glucose tolerance test:>11mmol/L
(two hours after a 75g oral glucose load)
7.8-11mmol/L suggests pre-diabetes.
4- HbA1C (uncommon as type 1 diabetes has fast onset)
Other: C-Peptide, Autoantibodies
When should you suspect MODY?
(maturity onset diabetes of the young)
Patients who are:
Non obese
Young
Family history of diabetes
How do you differentiate MODY from T1DM?
C peptide will be present, autoantibodies will be absent
Management for T1DM?
1- lifestyle (weight, smoking, alcohol, carb counting)
2- Basal - bolus
Complications of insulin therapy? (4)
- Hypoglycaemia: (also caused by SULFONYLUREA - antidiabetic drug)
- Injection site - lipohypertrophy
- Insulin resistance
- Weight gain: insulin makes people feel hungry
How do you manage T1DM?
HbA1c:measure every 3-6 months with a target of≤48 mmol/mol
Self monitoring
Annually diabetic review: retinopathy, renal function, diabetic foot, cardiovascular (BP), thyroid disease
What is T2DM?
production of insulin becomes insufficient due to insulin resistance.
What causes T2DM?
Combination of environmental and genetic factors, poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity.
Risk factors for T2DM?
Family history
Obesity
Hypertension
Increasing age
Gestational Diabetes
Low (HDL) & High triglycerides
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Drugs: corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics
Ethnicity - Middle Eastern, South-east Asian and Western pacific
What is the Pathophysiology of T2DM?
Hint: Starlings Curve
Insulin binds normally to its receptor on the surface of cells in DMT2 just like in healthy people
Circulating insulin levels are typically higher than in non-diabetics following diagnosis and tend to rise further, only to decline again after months or years due to eventual secretory failure - phenomenon is known as the Starling curve of the pancreas.
Initial compensatory mechanism is hyperplasia and hypertrophy of beta cells to secrete more insulin. This is then exhausted and leads to hypoplasia and hypotrophy.
Hyperglycaemia and lipid excess are toxic to beta cells
Signs & Symptoms of T2DM?
Acanthosis nigricans
Glove and stocking
Reduced visual acuity
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic foot disease
Increased thirst and urine
Recurrent infections
Lethargy
Investigations for T2DM?
Hint: same as T1DM investigations
Blood glucose: ≥11mmol/L is diagnostic
Fasting blood glucose:≥7.0 mmol/L
Oral glucose tolerance test:>11mmol/L
HbA1C: ≥48 mmol/mol
How to diagnose Patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
raised fasting glucose and normal OGTT
How to diagnose patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)?
raised OGTT, and may or may not have a raised fasting glucose
How to manage T2DM?
Lifestyle (diet and exercise)
Metformin if HbA1c rises above 48 mmol/mol(6.5%)
second anti-diabetic drug should be commenced if HbA1Crises above58 mmol/mol(7.5%)
Insulin based therapy
What are the side effects of metformin? (4)
anorexia
diarrhoea
nausea
abdominal pain
What is diabetic ketoacidosis? (3)
medical emergency that is characterised by hyperglycaemia, acidosis and ketonaemia.
Blood glucose > 11 mmol/L
Ketosis > 3 mmol/L
Acidosis pH < 7.3
Causes/ Risk factors for DKA?
Infection
Diabetes
Heart attack
Hypothyroidism & pancreatitis
Corticosteroids, diuretics, salbutamol
Sings and symptoms of DKA?
Smell of acetone (‘fruity’ breath)
Vomiting
Dehydration
Abdominal pain
Hyperventilation (Kussmaul; deep sighing)
Hypovolaemic shock
Drowsiness
Coma
What is the pathophysiology of DKA?
Lack of insulin = body unable to utilise glucose
More glycogenolysis + gluconeogenesis + lipolysis
Lipolysis —> FA’s —> ketogenesis)
Ketones = weak acids
Leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances (K+) + hyperglycaemia
How to diagnose DKA? (3)
Ketonaemia: 3mmol/L and over
Blood glucose over 11mmol/L
Bicarbonate below 15mmol/L or venous pH less than 7.3
How to manage DKA?
Mild = rehydrate + subcutaneous insulin injection
Moderate = IV fluids + insulin and glucose infusion + potassium replacement
Severe = ABCDE approach for emergency resuscitation
Cerebral oedema = Major Complication !!!
What is Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS)?
occurs in people with type 2 diabetes who experience very high blood glucose levels
- absence of significant ketoacidosis
Causes of HHS? (4)
Infection
Medications that cause fluid loss or lower glucose tolerance
Surgery
Impaired renal function
Pathophysiology of HHS?
lack of insulin is coupled with a rise in counter-regulatory hormones (e.g. cortisol, growth hormone, glucagon) that leads to a profound rise in glucose.
Enough insulin, which prevents the development of ketosis that epitomises DKA
excessive glucose (kidneys at max capacity) —> osmotic diuresis within the kidneys —> loss of electrolytes —> dehydration
Blood becomes thick and viscous
Diagnostic criteria for HHS? (3)
- severe hyperglycaemia (>=30mmol/L)
- hypotension
- hyperosmolality (usually >320 mosmol/kg).
No significant acidosis
Main difference between DKA and HHS?
DKA presents with acidosis and ketosis whereas HHS does not.
DKA in T1DM
HHS in T2DM
What are the signs and symptoms of HHS?
Nausea and vomiting
Lethargy
Weakness
Confusion
Dehydration
Coma
Seizure
Management of HHS? (4)
IV fluids
Insulin (if glucose doesn’t fall)
K+ replacement
Anticoagulants (VTE prophylaxis)
What are the Primary Causes of Hyperthyroidism?
(Caused by thyroid disfunction)
Graves disease
Toxic thyroid adenoma
Multinodular goitre
Silent thyroiditis
De Quervain’s thyroiditis (painful goitre)
Radiation
What are the Secondary Causes of Hyperthyroidism?
TSH producing Pituitary adenoma
Ectopic tumour
Gestational
Hypothalamic tumour
Lithium
Presentation of Hyperthyroidism?
Fine tremor
Finger clubbing
Sweating
Swollen arms and legs with plaques
Goitre (depending on cause)
Thyroid bruit
Protruding eyes & lid retraction
Atrial fibrillation
Diarrhoea
Muscle wasting
Tachycardia
How does Graves’ disease cause hyperthyroidism?
Anti TSH receptor antibodies which over stimulate thyroid gland
How does toxic adenoma / toxic multinodular goitre cause hyperthyroidism?
Iodine deficiency leads to compensatory TSH secretion
The excess TSH can cause the thyroid to enlarge and create a multinodular goiter.
Nodules can become TSH independent and secrete thyroid hormone
Toxic adenoma = 1 nodule
What causes Secondary Hyperthyroidism?
Benign Tumours
Pituitary - TSH secreting
Hypothalamic - TRH secreting
Ectopic - hCG secreting
How to diagnose hyperthyroidism?
Thyroid function test
Antibodies test (anti TSH receptor)
Ultrasound if palpable nodule
What are the TSH and T4 levels in someone with Primary Hyperthyroidism?
Low TSH
High T4
What are the TSH and T4 levels in someone with Secondary Hyperthyroidism?
High TSH and High T4
How to manage hyperthyroidism? (4)
Beta blocker (Propanol) for symptomatic relief
And carbimazole/ propylthiouracil to stop thyroid making hormones
Radio- iodine for goitres and adenomas
Thyroidectomy for recurrent goitres
How to manage a Thyroid storm? (4)
IV beta blocker (propanol)
IV Dijoxin (increases cardiac output but decreases HR)
Anti thyroid medication
Steroids
What is De Quervain’s thyroiditis?
Hyperthyroidism from acute inflammation of the thyroid gland, due to viral infection
Most common cause of hypothyroidism in the developed world?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
What is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
Autoimmune process associated withHLA-DR5andanti-TPO antibodies
Thyroid gland feels smooth but larger than normal
How does thyroiditis causes hypothyroidism?
Thyroiditis can also cause symptoms of hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. In some cases, after your thyroid is overactive for a period of time, it may become underactive.
What are the causes of hypothyroidism? (7)
Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune
Goitre (fibrous tissue)
Iodine deficiency
Postpartum
Viral (De Quervain’s)
Drugs (lithium)
How to diagnose Hypothyroidism?
Thyroid function test
- high TSH and low T4 = primary
- low TSH and low T4 = secondary
Test for antibodies
Management for Hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine (manufactured thyroid hormone)
Risks include osteoporosis and cardiac arrythmias.
How to investigate a thyroid cancer? (4)
1- Ultrasound (malignant or benign)
2- Fine needle biopsy (malignant or benign)
3- Thyroid function tests (manage hypo/Hyperthyroidism first)
4- Laryngoscopy (paralysed vocal cord is highly suggestive of malignancy)
Papillary cancer is derived from which cells?
And what do these cells do?
Follicular cells
They secrete thyroglobulin and take up radioiodine
Follicular cancer is derived from which cells?
And what do these cells do?
Follicular cells
secretes thyroglobulin and takes up radioiodine
How does follicular cancer spread?
Early metastasis
vascular invasion
Distal spread more common
How to manage follicular cancer?
Lobectomy (with lymph removal)
Radioiodine
TSH suppression and Levothyroxine
Medullary cancer is derived from which cells?
And what do these cells do?
para-follicular cells
(aka C-Cells responsible for calcitonin production)
Very aggressive cancer
How to manage Medullary cancer?
Lobectomy
Thyroid hormone replacement for normal TSH (no TSH suppression)
What is the most aggressive thyroid cancer?
Anaplastic
Poor differentiation and Very aggressive
infiltrative to local structures, soft tissue of neck, widespread metastases, early mortality
How to manage Anaplastic cancer
- Does not respond to radioactive iodine
- If possible a total thyroidectomy is done
- Combined chemotherapy and radiation - may be palliative
What is Cushing’s Syndrome
Hypercortisolism (excess glucocorticoids )
What causes Cushing’s syndrome? (4)
ACTH INDEPENDENT
Excess steroid use
adrenal adenoma or adrenal hyperplasia - secreting excess cortisol
ATCH DEPENDENT
pituitary adenoma secreting excess ACTH (Cushing’s disease )
Ectopic ACTH e.g. from small cell lung cancer
Signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome?
- Hypertension
- Moon face
- Buffalo hump
- Central adiposity
- Violaceous striae
- Muscle wasting and proximal myopathy
- Acne
- Bloating and weight gain
- Mood change & Tiredness
- Menstrual irregularity & Reduced libido