endocrine Flashcards
cushings
a syndrome that is caused by having an excess of cortisol hormone in your body. Cortisol helps the body respond to stress, regulate blood glucose and reduce inflammation
caused by: spontaneous Cushing’s- small benign tumour on pituitary gland, or on the adrenal gland
taking oral corticosteroid medication (could be injection too)
patho: caused by adrenal glands excrete too much cortisol.
the pituitary gland produces ACTH which travels to the adrenal glands causing them to produce too much cortisol
exogenous Cushing’s= high doses over time of corticosteroid medications (e.g. prednisone)
may be necessary to treat inflammatory diseases e.g. RA, lupus or asthma
pop: far more women than men
ages 30-40
risk factors: people who are overweight, people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, people with high blood pressure
s&s: excessive and sudden onset of weight around trunk with arms and legs unchanged and thin, weak muscles (especially legs), moon face (appears redder and rounder), weaker bones due to steroid induced osteoporosis, higher blood pressure, easier to bruise, Red/ purple stretch marks, Irregular periods, Excessive hair growth, Reduced libido, General feeling of unwell, Mood swings
management: reduce corticosteroid use.
addisons
=Uncommon illness, where the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol, or aldosterone
caused by: TB is the most common cause of Addison’s disease worldwide, but its rare in the UK.
In Addison’s disease, reduced cortisol levels lead, through feed-back, to increased CRH and ACTH production, the latter being directly responsible for the hyperpigmentation.
When 90% of the adrenal cortex is destroyed, your adrenal glands will not be able to produce enough of cortisol and aldosterone.
Once the levels of these start decreasing, you’ll experience symptoms of Addison’s disease.
Other possible causes of Addison’s disease: Infections, A haemorrhage, Cancer, Amyloidosis, Surgical removal of both glands, Adrenoleukodystrophy, Certain treatments needed for cushings syndrome
patho: There is a destruction of the entire adrenal cortex. So glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and sex steroid production are all reduced.
If there is a problem with the immune system, it can start to attack your own healthy tissues. So Addison’s disease can develop if your immune system starts attacking the adrenal cortex.
pop: Can affect anyone and can be life threatening
risk factors: Cancer, Taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), Have chronic infections like TB, Had surgery to remove any part of your adrenal gland, Autoimmune disease like type 1 diabetes or Graves’ disease
s&s: Symptoms usually happen slowly, often over months, Extreme fatigue, Weight loss and loss of appetite, Areas of darkened skin, Weakness, Fever, Anorexia, Nausea/vomiting, Diarrhoea, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Depression, Confusion, Myalgia, Joint or back pain, Loss of weight, General wasting, Pigmentation, especially new scars and palmar creases
