Endocrine Flashcards
Define endocrine
These glands ‘pour’ secretions directly into blood stream, without ducts
e.g. thyroid, adrenal, beta cells of pancreas
Define exocrine
These glands ‘pour’ secretions through a duct to site of action
e.g. submandibular, parotid, pancreas (amylase & lipase)
Describe the action of endocrine hormones
Blood-borne, acting on distant sites
Describe the action of paracrine hormones
Acting on nearby adjacent cells
Describe the action of autocrine hormones
Feedback on same cell that secreted hormone - acts on itself
Define Diabetes Mellitus T1
Autoimmune disease, causes the destruction of beta cells leading to insulin deficiency
∴ hyperglycaemia
Epidemiology DMT1
Usually younger < 30 years
↑ Northern Europe, esp Finland!
Incidence is increasing
22yr old woman with DMT1 is pregnant - what is the chance of her child also having DMT1?
1 in 25
(It is accepted that the child of any women below 25 years has a 1 in 25 chance of getting T2DM)
Monitoring of T2DM
HbA1c checked after 6 months
Checks for CVD, diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy etc done annually
What is LADA?
Latent Autoimmune diabetes in adults
‘Slow burning’ variant of DMT1 - slower progression to insulin deficiency, occurs in later life
∴ can be difficult to differentiate from DMT2
RF DMT1
Genetic susceptibility -
HLA-DR3-DQ2 or HLA-DR4-DQ8
Other autoimmune diseases
Vit D def
Enteroviruses e.g. Coxsackie B4
Why does polydipsia occur in DMT1?
Results of fluid and electrolyte loss
Why does polyuria occur in DMT1?
Result of osmotic diuresis
When blood glucose levels > renal tubular reabsorptive capacity
Why must DMT1 Px have insulin?
They are more prone to diabetic ketoacidosis
Key presentation of DMT1
2-6 week history of :
Unexplained weight loss, polyuria, polydipsia
State 1 other signs of DMT1
Breath may smell of ‘pear drops’ (KETONES)
Ix DMT1
Fasting plasma glucose (no food for 8hrs)
Random plasma glucose
Oral glucose tolerance test
Diagnostic values for DM
In symptomatic patient :
Symptoms + raised plasma glucose detected ONCE
If Asymptomatic, must show raised glucose on TWO SEPARATE occasions
–
Fasting glucose ≥ 7mmol/L (6mmol/L)
Random glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/L
HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol (41 mmol/mol)
If between normal and fasting, PRE-DIABETIC (T2)
What is the most common way children present with new T1DM?
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Tx DMT1
Patient education!!
BASAL BOLUS INSULIN
SC insulin - combo of long acting insulin (basal) od
& short acting insulin (bolus) injected 30 mins before meals
Define DMT2
Relative insulin def due to combination of insulin resistance and less severe insulin def
4 non-modifiable RF DMT2
> 40 years
Ethnicity - Black, Chinese, South Asian
FHx
Male
4 modifiable RF DMT2
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
High carbohydrate diet
HTN
Key presentation of DMT2
Usually asymptomatic and found incidentally on routine blood tests
Symptoms of a Px w/ severe T2DM
acanthosis nigricans
GS Ix DMT2
HbA1c test ! (tells us avg. BG for last 3 months)
State some complications of insulin treatment
Hypoglycaemia!
Lipohypertrophy (at injection site)
Insulin resistance
Weight gain - bc insulin makes people feel hungry
Tx DMT2
Lifestyle modifications first !!
- Metformin
- If HbA1c rises to 58 mmol/mol, dual therapy :
Metformin + sulphonylurea e.g. gliclazide
Metformin + DPP4 inhibitor e.g. sitagliptin
Metformin + pioglitazone
Metformin + SGLT-2i (glifazon) - If STILL remains at 58 mmol/mol, triple therapy :
Metformin + SU + DPP4 inhibitor
Metformin + SU + pioglitazone
Metformin + SU/pioglitazone + SGLT-i
–
IF symptomatic, SU or insulin until BG stable
Name some macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus
Stroke
Ischaemic heart disease
Peripheral vascular disease
Which sex is at more risk of macrovascular complications of DM?
Neither - DM removes vascular advantage that females have
What can be given to DM patients to reduce the risk of macrovascular complications?
Statin
ACE-I
What are some microvascular complications of DM?
Diabetic neuropathy
Diabetic retinopathies
Diabetic nephropathy
Describe the pathophysiology of Diabetic neuropathy
Occlusion of vasa nervorum and accumulation of fructose and sorbitol
Disrupts structure and function of nerves
How can diabetic foot ulceration occur/get so bad?
Diabetic neuropathy increases risk of Px not noticing ulceration.
Also, causes skin dryness of foot ∴ more susceptible to cracking and ulcers
Describe some symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
Numbness, ↓ ability to feel pain/temp changes
Tingling/burning sensation
Sharp pain/cramps
Hypersensitivity
Muscle weakness
Loss of balance/coordination
diabetic foot - ulcers!!
Diabetic foot ulcer management
FOOT SCREENING!
Patient education! - Check feet daily, tie laces for enough room, keep feet away from heat
State a common consequence of childhood diabetes relating to skin and how to demonstrate this
Skin contractures
Ask Px to join hands in prayer - MCP and IP joints cannot be opposed
Describe pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy
XS glucose in blood
∴ glucose uptake into lens and blockage of retinal blood supply
∴ eye attempts to grow new blood vessels but don’t develop properly and can leak
State and describe the two types of diabetic retinopathy
-
Non-proliferative
new blood vessels not growing - **Proliferative
Damaged blood vessels close off ∴ new abnormal vessels grow, will leak
Ix diabetic retinopathy
Fundoscopy
Cotton wool spots and flare haemorrhages
Early indication of diabetic nephropathy
Microalbuminuria
Other types of diabetes
MODY
LADY (latent autoimmune diabetes of young)
Gestational diabetes - usually in 3rd trimester
Tx diabetic nephropathy
Aggressive BP control (ACE-I, angiotensin-II antagonists etc)
Causes of hypoglycaemia
EXPLAIN
Exogenous drugs - insulin, alcohol binge w/ no food
Pituitary insufficiency
Liver failure
Addison’s disease
Islet’s cell tumour & Immune hypoglycaemia
Non-pancreatic neoplasm e.g. fibrosarcoma
Key presentation of hypoglycaemia
Odd behaviour (aggression), sweating, tachycardia
Ix Hypoglycaemia
1st - Whipple’s triad !
1. Signs/symptoms of hypoglycaemia
2. Low BG
3. Resolution of symptoms w/ correction of BG
GS 48-72 hr fast w/ serial BG
Tx hypoglycaemia
In Community -
Oral glucose (10-20g) - liquid, gel, tablet
Px might have ‘hypokit’ w/ IM or SC glucagon
In Hospital Setting
If Px alert, quick acting carb
If unconscious/unable to swallow, SC or IM glucagon
OR IV 20% glucose solution
How does the presentation of hypoglycaemia change and at what blood glucose level?
< 3.3 mol/L - sweating, shaking, hunger, anxiety, nausea
< 2.8 mol/L - weakness, vision change, confusion
What is diabetic ketoacidosis characterised by?
- Hyperglycaemia > 11 mmol/L
- ↑ Plasma ketones > 3 mmol/L
- Metabolic acidosis - pH < 7.3
Causes/RF Diabetic ketoacidosis
Untreated DMT1 or stopping insulin therapy
Undiagnosed DM
Infection/illness
MI
What is a big and preventable cause of diabetic ketoacidosis?
When patients stop/reduce insulin suddenly (bc Px is vomiting or not eating).
INSULIN SHOULD NEVER BE STOPPED IN T1DM
Pathophysiology diabetic ketoacidosis
Complete absence of insulin results in unrestrained hepatic gluconeogenesis
∴ ↑ circulating glucose
∴ osmotic diuresis
∴ dehydration
Peripheral lipolysis occurs ∴ ↑ circulating FFAs
Oxidised to Acetyl CoA ∴ ↑ ketones
∴ metabolic acidosis
Process is accelerated by “stress hormones e.g. catecholamines, glucagon, cortisol
Secreted in response to dehydration and intercurrent illness
Why is insulin def necessary for diabetic ketoacidosis?
Because even a small elevation will inhibit hepatic ketogenesis
DKA prognosis
Medical emergency!
If untreated, can be fatal!