Endocrine Flashcards
What is hypersomatotropism better known as? What is the difference between the two?
Acromegaly, growth hormone excess. Acromegaly is the clinical syndrome characterised by exposure to GH production over a long period of time. Hypersomatotropism is a more accurate description for all, where clinical signs may vary depending on length of exposure.
Which species and signalment is over represented in cases of acromegaly / hypersomatotropism ?
Feline, male, senior cats (8-14yrs)
What do somatotrophic cells secrete? Where are they found in the body?
Growth hormone, pituitary
Why do cats with acromegaly often present with diabetes mellitus?
Growth hormone is secreted by the tumour. This hormone is a diabetogenic hormone as it antagonises the effects of insulin. Leading to insulin resistance and diabetes.
What is a proxy for growth hormone measurement in the investigation of hypersomatotropism?
IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor)
Production of growth hormone from the pituitary is stimulated and inhibited by different peptides. Which peptides are they? Where are they produced from?
Growth hormone releasing protein GHRP (hypothalamus) increases production. Somatostatin inhibits production (hypothalamus).
In dogs, growth hormone can be produced from two glands. Name both.
Pituitary and mammary
In central versus nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, how does ADH differ?
Central is the reduced production of viable adh, nephrogenic is reduced activity of adh
What is the most common cause of canine primary hypothyroidism ? What are other differentials for primary hypothyroidism ?
Lymphocytic thyroiditis (thyroid tissue is destroyed in an immune mediated process, and tissue replaced by fibrous connective tissue). Other causes include idiopathic atrophy (atrophy of the gland and adipose tissue replaces viable tissue), follicular cell hyperplasia and infiltrative neoplasia
Describe the phenomenon known as euthyroid sick syndrome?
Concurrent illness in the body causes a fall in thyroid hormone levels.
Which tests would be helpful to diagnose hypothyroidism. Alongside total t4?
free T4 and TSH
Describe the three ways in which parathyroid hormone increases serum calcium
Conversion of vitamin D to its active form, vitamin D3 which increases absorption of calcium from GI tract, renal conservation of calcium and calcium release from boney stores
How can an ultrasound examination of the adrenal glands (bilaterally) help to differentiate between pituitary and adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism?
Bilateral enlargement of adrenals hint at pituitary, as negative feedback cancelled out by the pituitary adenoma. Unilateral enlargement and opposing atrophy indicate adrenal dependent, with the tumour on the larger gland. Negative feedback suppresses ACTH production, but this does not affect circulating cortisol
Describe the pathophysiology of Glucagonoma.
Rare tumour of the alpha cells within the islets of langerhans in the pancreas. They cause an erosive crusting skin rash called superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND). The rash occurs most often on footpads causing pain, pruritis, interdigital erythema, crusting and fissuring of footpads.
Describe how bioactive vitamin D is produced. What else is it known by? What action does it illicit?
- Vitamin D3 obtained from diet
- Liver hydroxylates vitamin D3 to become vitamin D2
- Vitamin D2 travels to the kidneys via the blood stream
- Inside the proximal renal tubules, vitamin D2 is hydroxylated by 1-alpha-hydroxylase
- Known as calcitriol
- Will stimulate serum calcium levels