Endocrine Flashcards
define thyrotoxicosis
abnormal and excessive quantity of thyroid hormone in the body
Primary hyperthyroidism
due to thyroid pathology
thyroid itself is behaving abnormally and producing excessive thyroid hormone
Secondary hyperthyroidisim
condition where thyroid is producing excessive thyroid hormone as a result of overstimulation by TSH
Pathology is the hypothalamus or pituitary
Graves disease
autoimmune condition where TSH receptor antibodies cause primary hyperthyroidism
TSH receptor antibodies are abnormal antibodies produced by the immune system that mimic TSH and stimulate TSH receptor on the thyroid
(MOST COMMON CAUSE OF HYPERTHYROIDISM)
Toxic multinodular goitre
aka = Plummers disease
condition where nodules develop on the thyroid gland that act independently of the normal feedback system and continuously produce excessive thryoid hormone
What is exophthalmos and what causes it
bulging eyeball out of socket caused by graves disease
due to inflammation, swelling and hypertrophy of the tissue behind the eyeball that forces the eyeball out
Can be tested from behind patient and getting them to extend their head back to see if you can see the eyeballs bulging
Also if you can see the sclera above their iris
What is pretibial myxoedema and what is it specific to
dermatological condition where there are deposits of mucin under the skin on the anterior aspect of the leg
Gives a discoloured, waxy, oedematous appearance to the skin over the area
specific to Graves disease and is a reaction to the TSH receptor antibodies
Causes of hyperthyroidism
Graves disease
toxic multinodular goitre
solitary toxic thyroid nodule
thyroiditis (e.g. hashimotos, postpartum and drug induced)
Universal features of hyperthyroidism
anxiety and irritability
sweating and heat intolerance
tachycardia
weight loss
fatigue
frequent loose stools
sexual dysfunction
Unique features of Graves disease
Diffuse goitre
Graves eye disease
Bilateral exophthalmos
pretibial myoxedema
Unique features of toxic multinodular goitre
goitre with firm nodules
most patients are over 50
second most common cause of thyrotoxicosis (after Graves)
What is solitary toxic thyroid nodule
single abnormal thryoid nodule is acting alone to release thyroid hormone
nodules are usually benign adenomas
treated with surgical removal of the nodule
De Quervain’s thyroiditis
Presentation of a viral infection with fever, neck pain and tenderness, dysphagia and features of hyperthyroidism
hyperthyroid phase followed by a hypothyroid phase as the TSH level falls due to negative feedback
Self-limiting condition and supportive treatment with NSAIDs for pain and inflammation and beta-blockers for symptomatic relief of hyperthyroidism is all that is necessary
Thyroid storm
rare presentation of hyperthyroidism
Also known as thyrotoxic crisis
more severe presentation with pyrexia, tachycardia and delirium
requires admission for monitoring and is treated the same way as any other presentation of thyrotoxicosis
may need suppotive care with fluid resus, anti-arrhythmic meds and beta blockers
Hyperthyroidism management
Carbimazole (first line) - successful in Graves disease (usually normal thryoid function after 4-8 weeks and full remission within 18months)
Propylthiouracil (second line) - small risk of severe hepatic reactions
Radioactive iodine - destroys some thyroid cells
beta blockers - block adrenalin related symptoms of hyperthyroidism
propanolol is a good option because it non selectively blocks adrenergic activity (particularly useful in thyroid storm)
Surgery - to removed whole thyroid or toxic nodules
will require levothyroxine replacement for life
Hyperthyroidism management
Carbimazole (first line) - successful in Graves disease (usually normal thryoid function after 4-8 weeks and full remission within 18months)
Propylthiouracil (second line) - small risk of severe hepatic reactions
Radioactive iodine - destroys some thyroid cells
beta blockers - block adrenalin related symptoms of hyperthyroidism
propanolol is a good option because it non selectively blocks adrenergic activity (particularly useful in thyroid storm)
Surgery - to removed whole thyroid or toxic nodules
will require levothyroxine replacement for life
Primary hypothyroidism
problem with thyroid gland itself -> autoimmune disorder affecting thyroid tissue
Secondary hypothyroidism
due to a disorder with the pituitary gland or a lesion compressing th epituitary gland
Congenital hypothyroidism
due to a problem with thyroid dysgenesis or thyroid dyshormonogenesis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
most common cause in developed world for hyPOthyroidism
autoimmune disease associated with T1DM, addisons or pernicious anaemia
May cause transient thryotoxicosis in acute phase
5-10 times more common in women
Drugs that cause hypothyroidism
lithium
amiodarone
TSH and free T4 levels in thyrotoxicosis (graves)
low tsh
high free t4
TSH and free T4 levels in primary hypothyroidism (hashimotos)
high tsh
low free t4
TSH and free t4 levels in secondary hypothyroidism
low tsh
low free t4
tsh and free t4 levels in sick euthyroid syndrome
low tsh
low free t4
common in hospital inpatients
changes are reversible upon recovery from systemic illness and no treatment is usually needed
TSH and free T4 levels in subclinical hypothyroidism
high tsh and normal free T4
TSH and free t4 levels in someone with poor compliance with thyroxine
high tsh and normal free t4
patients who are poorly compliant may tae their thyroxine the day before a routine blood test
the thyroxine levels are hence normal but the TSH lags and reflects longer term low thyroxine levels
Thyroid autoantibodies that can be tested
Anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti TPO) antibodies
TSH receptor antibodies
thyroglobulin antibodies
Source of growth hormone
anterior pituitary
What is growth hormone responsible for
stimulating cell reproduction and growth of organs, muscles, bones and height
stimulates release of insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) by the liver which is also important in promoting growth in children and adolescents
Congenital growth hormone deficiency
Results from disruption to growth hormone axis (at hypothalamus or pituitray gland)
can be due to genetic mutation of GH1 or GHRHR(growth hormone releasing hormone receptor)
or due to empty sella syndrome (where pituitary is under developed or damaged
Acquired growth hormone deficiency
secondary to trauma, infection or interventions such as surgery
Presentation of growth hormone deficiency in neonates and older infants
neonates = micropenis, hypoglycaemia and severe jaundice
older infants = poor growth (usually stopping/severely slowing from 2-3). short stature, slow devlopment of movement and strength and delayed puberty
growth hormone stimulation test
involves measuring medications that normally stimulate release of GH (like glucagon, insulin, arginine adn clonidine)
GH levels are monitored for 2-4 hours after administering medication to asses hormonal response
in GH deficiency their will be poor response to the stimulus
Other investigations for GH deficiency
other associated hormone deficiencies (thyroid and adrenal deficiency)
MRI brain for structural pituitary or hypothalamus abnormalitites
genetic testing - associated conditions like turner syndrome or prader willi syndrome
Xray of wrist or DEXA scan can determine bone age and help predict final height
Treatment of GH deficiency
daily s/c injections of GH (somatropin)
Treatment of other associated hormone deficiencies
close monitoring of height and development
Treatment of GH deficiency
daily s/c injections of GH (somatropin)
Treatment of other associated hormone deficiencies
close monitoring of height and development
Most common case of hypothyroidism in developing world
iodine deficiency
Source of cortisol
zona fasciculata of adrenal cortex
Functions of cortisol
increases BP - permits normal response to angiotensin II and catecholeamine by up regulating alpha 1 receptors on arterioles
inhibits bone formation - decreases osteoblasts, decreases type 1 collagen, decreases absorption of clacium from the gut, increases osteoclastic activity
increases insulin resistance
inhibits inflammatory and immune responses
maintains functions of skeletal and cardiac muscles
Regulation of cortisol
Increases secretion:
ACTH from the pituitary gland, itself stimulated by CRH (corticotrophin releasing hormone) released by the hypothalamus
stress
Glucagon source
alpha cells of pancreas
Function of glucagon
glycogenolysis
gluconeogenesis
lipolysis
(opposite metabolic effects to insulin)
What increases secretion of glucagon
hypoglycaemia
stresses (infections, burns, surgery)
Increased catecholeamines + sympathetic nervous system stimulation
increased plasma amino aicds
What decreases secretion of glucagon
hyperglycaemia
insulin
somatostatin
increased free fatty acids and keto acid
SGLT-2 inhibitors (-gliflozins)
mechanism of action
route
main side effects
notes
inhibits reabsorption of glucose in the kidney
oral
UTI
typically result in weight loss
Insulin
mechanism of action
route
main side effects
notes
direct replacement for endogenous insulin
s/c
hypoglycaemia, weight gain, lipodystrophy
used in all patients with T1DM and some patients with poorly controlled T2DM
Metformin
mechanism of action
route
main side effects
notes
increases insulin sensitivity and decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis
oral
GI upset, lactic acidosis
first line medication in management of T2DM
cannot be used in patients with an eGFR <30ml/min
Sulfonylureas
mechanism of action
route
main side effects
notes
stimulate pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin
Oral
Hypoglycaemia, weight gain, hyponatraemia
examples include gliclazide and glimepiride
Thiazolidinediones
mechanism of action
route
main side effects
notes
activate PPAR-gamma receptor in adipocytes to promote adipogenesis and fatty acid uptake
oral
weight gain, fluid retention
only available one is pioglitazone
DPP-4 inhibitors (-gliptins)
mechanism of action
route
side effects
notes
increases incretin levels which inhibit glucagon secretion
oral
generally well tolerated but increased risk of pancreatitis
primary hyperparathyroidism characteristically has hypocalcaemia or hypercalcaeia
hypercalcaemia
Pseudohyperkalaemia
rise in serum potassium that occurs due to excessive leakage of potassium from cells during or after blood is taken
laboratory artefact and does not represent the true serum potassium
In this case potassium is released as the large number of platelets aggregate and degranulate
Causes of pseudohyperkalaemia
haemolysis during venepuncture (excessive vacuum of blood drawing, prolonged tourniquet use or too fine a needle gauge)
delay in processing of blood specimen
abnormally high number of platelets, leukocytes or erythrocytes (such as myeloproliferative disorders)
familial causes
Compartment syndrome
particular complication that may occur following fractures
characterised by raised pressure within a closed anatomical space
raised pressure eventually compromises the tissue perfusion resulting in necrosis
two main fractures that cause this are supracondylar fractures and tibial shaft fractures
Features of compartment syndrome
pain, especially on movement
paraesthesiae
pallor
arterial pulsation may still be felt as the necrosis occurs as a result of microvascular compromise
paralysis of muscle group
How is a diagnosis of compartment syndrome made
measurement of intracompartmental pressure measurements
pressure in excess of 20mmHg are abnormal and >40mmHg is diagnostic
Treatment for compartment syndrome
prompt and extensive fasciotomies
in lower limb deep muscles may be inadequately decompressed by inexperienced operator
myoglobinuria may pccur following fasciotomy and result in renal failure (require aggressive IV fluids)
Death of muscle groups occur within 4–6 hours
first hormone secreted in hypoglycaemia
glucagon
Community management of hypoglycaemia
oral glucose 10-20g in liquid, gel or tablet form
alternatively quick acting carbohydrate like GlucoGel or DextroGel
HypoKit may be prescribed which contains a syringe and vial of glucagon IM or SC injection
Hospital management of hypoglycaemia
quick acting carbohydrate (GlucoGel or DextroGel) if alert
if unalert Sc/IM injection of glucagon
alternatively IV 20% glucose solution through a large vein
Carcinoid syndrome
occurs when metastases are present in liver and release serotonin into systemic circulation
may also occur with lung carcinoid as mediators are not cleared by liver