Endocrine

Question 1

Describe the drenal axis

Answer 1

Hypothalmus - CRH
Pituitary gland - ACTH
Adrenal gland - Cortisol

Question 2

What are the causes of cushings syndrome?

Answer 2

Exogenous steroids
cushings disease
adrenal adeonma
paraneoplastic tumour

Question 3

How do you diagnose cushing syndrome?

Answer 3

Dexamethasone suppresion test.

take dexamathasone at night. In the moring coritsol and ACTH should be suppressed

Question 4

Summarise the results of the dexamethasone suppresion test.

Answer 4

Pituitary adenoma - Cotisol and ACTH low
Adrenal adenoma - high cortisol low ACTH

Question 5

What is addisons disease?

Answer 5

Damaged adrenal glands resulting in adrenal insufficiency

Question 6

What are the symptoms and signs of adrenal insufficiency?

Answer 6

Fatigue
Nausea
cramps
abdominal pain
bronze hyperpigmentation

Question 7

What is a short synacthen test?

Answer 7

atrificial ACTH is given to see if the adrenal glands respond by producing cortisol

Question 8

How is addison’s disease treated?

Answer 8

Patients are given exgenous steroids and manage it themselves. Double steroids during acute inllnesses.

Patient given steroids card and ID

Question 9

What is the anti hyperthyroid drug?

Answer 9

Carbimazole

Question 10

What does aldosterone do?

Answer 10

increases sodium reabsoption
increases potassium secretion
increases hydrogen secretion

Question 11

What produces aldosterone?

Answer 11

adrenal glands

Question 12

What stimultes aldosterone release?

Answer 12

kindeys procduce renin.
renin converts angiotensinogen (liver) to antgiotensin 1 . Lung converts angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2

angiotensin 2 stimulates aldosterone release

Question 13

How do you investigate hyperaldosteronism?

Answer 13

test renin aldosterone ratio