endocrine Flashcards
Causes of T1DM
HLA-DR/DQ polymorphism, environmental
which hypersensitivity is T1DM?
type IV
What are the effects of a lack of insulin?
-lipolysis/muscle breakdown
-Increased hepatic glucose output
-reduced peripheral glucose uptake
-reduces glucagon secretion inhibition
What are the key presentations of T1DM
days/week of polyuria, polydipisia, weight loss, weakness
What are the investigations for T1DM
HbA1C (gold standard), serum glucose, U&Es and blood cultures (DKA)
what is considered a normal random plasma glucose?
<11.1
what is considered a normal fasting plasma glucose?
<6.1 (>7 in diabetes)
what is considered a normal 2hr plasma glucose?
<7.8 (>11.1 in diabetes)
What is a normal HbA1C?
<42 (5.7%)
What are the diagnostic criteria for an asymptomatic patient suspected to have T1DM?
raised glucose on two separate occasions
what is a diabetic HbA1c?
> 47 (>6.5%)
What is 1st line treatment for T1DM
basal-bolus insulin (glargine), amylin analogue (pramlintide or metfromin)
What is the 2nd line treatment for T1DM
fixed insulin dose
What are the complications of T1DM
-DKA
-microvascular
-macrovascular
-CVD
-depression
What is DKA?
hyperglycaemia, ketonaemia, metabolic acidosis
Causes of DKA
T1DM, infection
Risk factors DKA
innappropriate insulin therapy, infection etc.
pathophysiology of DKA
insulin deficiency -> lipolysis/muscle breakdown
lipolysis= FFAs + glycerol
FFAs->ketones
reduced circulating volume
presentations of DKA
-gradual drowsiness
-vomiting
-dehydration (T1DM)
investigations for DKA
VBG, acidosis <7.35 or bicarbonate <15mmol/L
blood ketones > 1.6-2.9
blood glucose >11
What can insulin treatment for DKA lead to?
hypokalaemia due to movement into cells - can cause arrhythmias
What is the management of DKA
FIG-PICK
Fluids - 0.9% saline
Insulin - actrapid
Glucose - dextrose
Potassium - monitor
Infection - treat underlying cause
Chart - fluids
Ketones - monitor ketones
What are the complications of DKA?
cerebral oedema
What are key presentations of T2DM?
Glycosuria, obesity
What are the signs of T2DM?
polydipsia
polyuria
polyphagia
glycosuria
What is the 2nd line treatment for T2DM?
metformin - if newly diagnosed patients have an HbA1C over 48mmol/L
What is the 1st line management of T2DM?
lifestyle modification, weight loss, dietary modifications etc
What is the 3rd line management for T2DM?
metformin + 1 of: sulfonylurea, thiazalodinediones, DPP-4 inhibitor or SGLT-2
What is the 4th line treatment for T2DM?
insulin
how do you monitor T2DM
yearly diabetes reveiw
HbA1c 3-6 months
ACR annually
What are the microvascular complications of DM?
neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy
What are the macrovascular complications of DM?
stroke, hypertension, CAD, peripheral artery disease
What are the side effects of insulin treatment?
hypoglycaemia, weight gain, lipodystrophy
What are the side effects of metformin?
gastrointestinal upset, lactic acidosis
(nephrotoxic, cannot be used in pts with eGR <30)
What is the action of sulfonyureas?
stimulates beta cells to secrete insulin
Give an example of a sulfonylurea
gliclazide, glimepiride
What are the side effects of sulfonylureas?
hypoglycaemia
weight gain
hyponatraemia
What do thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone) do?
they promote adipogenesis and fatty acid uptake
What are the side effects of thiazolidinediones?
weight gain and fluid retention
What do DPP-4 inhibitors (-gliptins) do?
increase incretin which inhibits glucagon secretion
What are the side effects of DPP-4 inhibitors?
tolerated well but can cause pancreatitis
Give an example of a DPP4 inhibitor?
sitagliptin
What do SGLT-2 inhibs do?
inhibits reabsorption of glucose in the kidney
What are the side effects of SGLT-2 inhibs?
UTIs and weight loss
Give an example of an SGLT2 inhibitor
dapagliflozin
Give an example of a GLP-1 inhibitors
exenatide
Explain the pathophysiology of HHS
insulin insufficiency - enough insulin to stop ketogenesis but not enough to stop hepatic glucose production
How does hyperglycaemia effect osmolality?
it results in osmotic diuresis with a loss of sodium and potassium
What are the causes of Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic state
diabetes + infection
What are the key presentations of HHS?
acute cognitive impairment - psychosis, coma, seizures
What are the physiological characteristics of HHS?
severe hyperglycaemia >30
hypotension
hyperosmolality >320
1st line investigation for HHS
blood glucose >30
blood ketones -ve
VBG - mild acidosis
serum osmolality >320
U&Es, abnormal K
management of HHS
rehydrate - 0.9% saline over 48 hrs
replace K+ when urine flows
use insulin if blood sugar not falling
LMWH for VTE prophylaxis
What are the complications of HHS
stroke, MI, PE
treatment related hypokalcaemia/glycaemia
What are the symptoms of hypoglycaemia?
hypotension, tachycardia, sweating, anxiety, hunger, dizziness
How does decreased blood glucose effect adrenaline, GH and cortisol?
all of these hormones are produced in order to increase blood glucose rapidly
Below what glucose level do autonomic symptoms show?
<3.3mmol/L
Below what glucose level do neuroglycopenic symptoms show?
<2.8mmol/L
What are the symptoms of neurocytopenic hypoglycaemia?
weakness, vision changes, confusion, dizziness
management for hypoglycaemia
food- carbs
OR
IV 10% glucose 200ml/h (conscious)
IV 10% glucose 200ml/15mins (inconscious)
complications of hypoglycaemia
siezure
coma
brain damage
what is cushings syndrome
hypercorticolism
What are the causes of ACTH independent cushings?
iatrogenic - steroids e.g. prednisolone (glucocorticoid)
adrenal adenoma
What are the causes of ACTH dependent cushings?
anterior pituitary adenoma
ectopic ACTH
ACTH dependent are more rare
What are the risk factors for cushings?
female
20-50 yrs
pituitary/adrenal adenoma, carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumours
What are the effects of hypercorticolism?
increases gluconeogenesis/glycogenesis, reduced insulin secretion, increased proteolysis/lipolysis/bone resporption, Na+ reabsorption, K+ excretion, anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive
What are the key presentation of cushings?
round “moon” face
central obesity
abdominal striae
buffalo hump
proximal limb muscle wasting
supraclavicular fat distribution
What is the first line investigation for cushings?
plasma cortisol - elevated
gold standard investigations for cushings
dexamethasone supression test
(48hr_
low dose 1mg: low cortisol->normal, high/normal cortisol->cushings
high dose 8mg: low cortisol->cushings, High/normal cortisol->ACTH low->adrenal cushings
->ACTH high->ectopic ACTH
What is the management of cushings?
depends on cause
iatrogenic -> stop medication
surgical removal of adenoma/tumour
removal of adrenal glands + replacement hormones
What are the complications of cushings?
CVD, hypertension, DM
What is Addisons disease?
failure of adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol and aldosterone (primary adrenal insufficiency)
What are the causes of primary adrenal insufficiency (Addisons)?
autoimmune adrenalitis - most common in developed countries
TB - most common worldwide
What are causes of secondary adrenal insufficiency?
inadequate ACTH production due to damage/loss of pituitary
What are the causes of tertiary adrenal insufficiency?
inadequate CRH from the hypothalamus, often due to long term (>3 weeks) oral steroids
What are the key presentations of addisons?
weight loss
hyperpigmentation (bronzing of hands)
fatigue
anorexia
salt cravings
What is the gold standard investigation for addisons?
short synacthen test (ACTH stimulation test)
How does the short synacthen test work?
synacthen (synthetic ACTH) given in the morning, cortisol measured at baseline, 30 and 60 mins, in healthy pt, cortisol should double
What is the management of Addisons?
hydrocortisone (glucocorticoid) to replace cortisol
fludrocortisone (mineralcorticoid) to replace aldosterone
What is the management of an addisonian crisis?
parenteral steroids - hydrocortisone 100mg
fluid resus
correct hypoglycaemia
monitor electrolytes
what is Conns syndrome?
hyperaldosteronism
What is primary hyperaldosteronism and what is it caused by?
the adrenal glands are responsible for producing too much aldosterone (renin will be low) - adrenal adenoma e.g. bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
What is secondary hyperaldosteronism?
high levels of aldosterone due to and increase in renin secretion
What are the key presentations of conns?
hypertension
What are the symptoms of conns?
muscle cramps
What are the investigations for conns?
aldosterone renin ratio - high in primary (gold standard)
plasma K+ will be low
What confirmatory investigation can be done for Conns?
MRI/CT to locate adrenal lesions
elective adrenal venous sampling
What medications can help manage Conns?
aldosterone antagonists
eplerenone
spironolactone
What surgical/interventional remedies are there for Conns?
adrenalectomy
percutaneous renal artery angioplasty
What are the Causes of hypokalaemia?
INCREASED EXCRETION:
drugs(thiazide/loops)
renal disease
GI loss
REDUCED INTAKE:
dietary deficiency
SHIFT TO INTRACELLULAR:
insulin/salbutamol
What does K+ do in the body
heart function, muscle contraction, water balance, nervous impulses
What are the signs of hypokalaemia?
arrhythmias, muscle paralysis, hypotonia. hyporeflexia, tetany
Gold standard investigations for hypokalaemia
ECG-> inverted T waves, ST depression, prominent U wave
U&Es <3.5 (<2.5 is severe)
What is the management of mild hypokalaemia?
oral potassium replacement
What is the management of severe hypokalaemia?
IV potassium chloride 40mmol in 1L 0.9% NaCl
Causes of hyperkalaemia
IMPAIRED EXCRETION:
AKI/CKD
drugs
renal tubular acidosis
INCREASED INTAKE:
IV therapy
increased dietary intake
SHIFT FROM INTRACELLULAR:
metabolic acidosis
key presentations of hyperkalaemia
arrhythmias, reduced power/reflexes, palpitations, chest pain
What are the gold standard Investigations for hyperkalaemia?
ECG-> peaked T waves, P wave flattening, PR prolongation, wide QRS complex
U&Es
How should you manage hyperkalaemia with ECG changes?
IV calcium gluconate/chloride - stabilised cardiac membrane
insulin + dextrose
How should you manage hyperkalaemia with NO ECG changes?
shift potassium into cells with IV insulin/dextrose or with nebulised salbutamol
What medications/procedures can remove potassium from the body?
calcium resonium, loop diuretics, dialysis
what are phaechromocytomas?
tumours arising from catecholamine-producing chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla
causes of phaechromocytomas
MEN 2
neurofibromatosis
bilateral/malignant/extra-adrenal in 10%
pathophysiology of phaechromocytomas
tumour secreted catecholamines: adrenaline, noradrenaline and sometimes dopamine (metanephrines/normetanephrines)
key presentations of phaechromocytomas
episodic, hypertension, headaches, palpitations, sweating, pallor
gold standard investigation for phaechromocytomas
24hr urine collection for catecholamines, metaneprhines, normetanephrines plus same metabolites in blood
Management of phaechromocytomas
non emergency: alpha(phenoxybenzamine)/beta blockers, surgical excision (curative in 85%)
HTN crisis: antihypertensive agents (phentolamine)