Endocrine Flashcards
The anterior pituitary gland releases:
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH)
Growth Hormone (GH)
Prolactin
The posterior pituitary gland releases:
Oxytocin
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
The thyroid axis
hypothalamus releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone –> Ant pit releases thyroid stimulating hormone –> thyroid releases triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)
The Adrenal Axis
Hypothalamus releases corticotropin release hormone –> ant pit releases adrenocorticotrophic hormone –> adrenal gland releases cortisol
Cortisol actions
Inhibits the immune system
Inhibits bone formation
Raises blood glucose
Increases metabolism
Increases alertness
The growth hormone axis
Hypothalamus releases growth hormone releasing hormone –> ant pit releases growth hormone –> liver releases insulin-like growth factor 1
Renin-Angiotensin System
- Renin convert angiotensinogen (released by the liver) into angiotensin I.
- Angiotensin I converts to angiotensin II in the lungs with the help of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
- Angiotensin II acts on blood vessels to cause vasoconstriction. This results in an increase in blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates the release of aldosterone from the adrenal glands.
- This causes sodium reabsorption, potassium and hydrogen secretion, water follows sodium by osmosis to increase bp
Diabetes Random plasma glucose and 2 hour plasma glucose
Confirms diagnosis in the presence of symptoms of
1. polyuria
2. polydipsia
3. and unexplained weight loss
result ≥11 mmol/L (≥200 mg/dL).
A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal.
Diabetes HbA1c
≥48 mmol/mol (≥6.5%)
Diabetes Fasting plasma glucose
Result ≥6.9 mmol/L (≥126 mg/dL)
C-peptide level in T1D
< 0.2 nmol/L is suggestive
its levels reflect insulin production. Low or undetectable C-peptide level indicates absence of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
diabetes autoimmune markers
Anti glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD]-65 ( anti -Gad is to an an enzyme found within beta cells of the pancreas,and is most commonly identified.)
insulin, islet cells,
islet antigens (IA2 and IA2-beta),
and the zinc transporter ZnT8
tyrosine phosphatase 2
Diagnosis DKA
ketonaemia 3 mmol /l and over or significant ketonuria (more than 2 + on standard urine sticks)
blood glucose over 11 mmol /l or known diabetes mellitus
venous bicarbonate (HCO3 ) ) below 15 mmol /l (<18 for children) and /or venous pH less than 7.3
Treatment DKA
Fluid
Insulin fixed ( corrects hyperglycaemia and acidosis)
Glucose (GKI- glucose insulin and potassium)
Potassium ( monitor)
Infection-treat trigger
Chart fluid balance
Ketone monitoring
Hypoglycaemia treatment if conscious
Eat quick acting sugar 15- 20g CHO eg glucojucie,glucogel, 2-3 jelly babies, 200ml of full fat milk,dextrose /lucozade tablets, a small can/100ml of Coca-Cola, sweets or fruit juice/ 110ml lucozade.
AVOID chocolate
Follow with longer acting carb like digestive biscuits/toast to keep levels up
Hypoglycaemia treatment if unconscious
Glucose (Dextrose) iv- 100ml 20% (20g in 100ml) glucose , or 200ml 10% glucose ( same thing) . Follow with lower rate infusion . Works with everyone, less side effects than glucagon.
1mg/kg glucagon IM if no IV access
Type 2 diabetes treatment
1.Metformin
2. SU or pioglitazone or DDP4 (or SGLT2 if CVD present)
3. Triple therapy
4.GLP1 agonist / insulin
Diagnosis HHS
marked hyperglycaemia, raised serum osmolarity, and mild/absent ketonaemia.
Laboratory glucose: > 30.0 mmol/L
Serum osmolarity: > 320 mOsm/kg
Ketones:
Urine: 1+, trace, negative OR
Blood: < 3 mmol/L
hyperthyroidism causes
graves disease
toxic multi nodular goitre
amiodarone
subacute thyroiditis ( de quervains starts hyperthyroid then goes hypo)
postpartum thyroiditis ( starts hyper then goes hypo)
hypothyroidism causes
hashimotos thyroiditis
iodine deficiency
lithium
Grave’s disease
body produces antibodies to the receptor for thyroid-stimulating hormone that mimic TSH and chronically stimulate the TSH receptors on the thyroid causing excess production of thyroid hormone from thyroid gland
myxoedema coma
emergency. thyroid hormone levels become very low, causing symptoms such as confusion, hypothermia and drowsiness.
Management of myxoedema coma
ITU/HDU care as required
IV T3/T4
50-100mg IV hydrocortisone
Mechanical ventilation and oxygen - if hypoventilation
IV fluid - to correct hypovolaemia
Correct hypothermia
Correct hypoglycaemia
Treat any heart failure
Management of thyrotoxic storm
Symptom control:
IV propanolol
IV digoxin if propanolol fails or is contraindicated (e.g. asthma, low BP)
Reduce thyroid activity:
Propylthiouracil through NG - preferred because it inhibits peripheral thyroxine conversion
Lugol’s iodine 4/6 hours later
Methimazole/carbimazole is considered second-line
IV hydrocortisone to reduce thyroid inflammation
Actions of parathyroid hormone
- Bones release Ca
- Kidneys reabsorb Ca
- Kidneys release calcitriol (via D) which tells GIT to increase Ca absorption
Primary hyperparathyroidism
One parathyroid gland (or more) produces excess PTH independently of calcium level
This may be asymptomatic or can lead to hypercalcaemia
Makes kidneys hold onto calcium and get rid of phosphate.
PTH and Ca high, phosphate low
Secondary hyperparathyroidism
there is increased secretion of PTH in response to low calcium because of kidney, liver, or bowel disease
PTH high Calcium low/normal, phosphate low if vitamin d deficiency high if CKD
Tertiary parathyroidism
There is autonomous secretion of PTH, usually because of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
PTH and Calcium high
Phosphate low or high
Pseudohypoparathyroidism
rare genetic condition resulting in failure of target organs to respond to normal levels of parathyroid hormone
Shortened 4th/5th metacarpal
Low Ca
High phosphate
High PTH
Normal/high ALP
Treatment hypercalcaemia
- Aggressive IV Fluids
- Bisphosphonates - Inhibits osteoclast activity reducing calcium release
- Calcitonin
- Glucocorticoids - In lymphoma, other granulomatous diseases or 25OHD poisoning
- Calcimimetics -Licensed for hypercalcaemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid carcinoma or renal failure
- Parathyroidectomy -considered in acute presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism if severe hypercalcaemia and poor response to other measures
Definition of Addison’s Disease
The adrenal glands have been damaged/destroyed, resulting in a reduction in the secretion of cortisol and aldosterone. This is also called Primary Adrenal Insufficiency