Endocrine Flashcards
what is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the uk?
Anti-TSH receptor stimulating autoantibodies (often referred to as Thyroid Stimulating
Immunoglobulins) are almost diagnostic of Graves’ disease, the most common cause of
thyrotoxicosis in the UK
what features are seen in grave’s disease but not other causes of thyrotoxicosis?
• Eye signs: exophthalmos, ophthalmoplegia
• Pretibial myxedema
• Thyroid acropachy
what autoantibodies are found in raves disease?
Autoantibodies
• Anti-TSH receptor stimulating antibodies (90%)
• Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (50%)
what is the TSH level and the total T4 level found in graves disease?
Labs:
• Low TSH (0.5 – 5.5)
• Elevated Total T4 (9-22)
what is the management of graves disease?
ATD titration
Block-and-Replace
Radioiodine treatment and surgery
Propranolol is often given initially to block adrenergic effec
describe the anti-thyroid drug titration management of graves disease?
ATD titration
• Carbimazole is started at 40mg and ↓ gradually to maintain euthyroidism
• Typically continued for 12-18 months
• Patients following an ATD titration regime have been shown to suffer fewer side-effects than those
on a block-and-replace regime
describe the block and replace management of graves disease?
Block-and-Replace
• Carbimazole is started at 40mg
• Thyroxine is added when the patient is euthyroid
• Treatment typically lasts for 6-9 months
what is the major complication of carbimazole therapy?
The major complication of carbimazole therapy is agranulocytosis (pancytopenia)
describe radioiodine therapy in the management of graves disease?
-what are contraindications?
-what is the most common side effect?
Radioiodine Treatment
• Contraindications include pregnancy (should be avoided for 4-6 months following treatment) and age < 16 years. Thyroid eye disease is a relative contraindication, as it may worsen the condition
• The proportion of patients who become hypothyroid depends on the dose given, but as a rule the majority of patient will require thyroxine supplementation after 5 years, so hypothyroidism is the most common side effect of radioiodine Rx.
what are the seven causes of hyperthyroidism?
• Graves’ disease
• Toxic nodule goitres
• Subacute (de Quervain’s) thyroiditis
• Post-partum thyroiditis
• Acute phase of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (later results in hypothyroidism)
• Toxic adenoma (Plummer’s disease)
• Amiodarone therapy
what is done to investigate hyperthyroid?
Investigation
• TSH down, T4 and T3 up
• Thyroid autoantibodies
• Other investigations are not routinely done but includes isotope scanning
what is toxic multinodular goitre?
-what is used in diagnosis?
-what is the treatment of choice?
Toxic Multinodular Goitre describes a thyroid gland that contains a number of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules that secrete excess thyroid hormones. Nuclear scintigraphy
reveals patchy uptake. The treatment of choice is radioiodine therapy
what is plummers disease?
Toxic adenoma (Plummer’s disease) Management:
• Radioiodine
• Subtotal thyroidectomy
• In pregnancy; medical management but if failed, subtotal thyroidectomy
what is a thyroid storm?
Thyroid Storm is a rare but life-threatening complication of thyrotoxicosis. It is typically seen in patients with established thyrotoxicosis and is rarely seen as the presenting feature. Iatrogenic thyroxine excess does not usually result in thyroid storm
what are the clinical features of a thyroid storm?
• Fever > 38.5oc
• Tachycardia
• Confusion and agitation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hypertension
• Heart failure
• Abnormal liver function test
what is the treatment for a thyroid storm?
• Symptomatic treatment e.g. Paracetamol
• Treatment of underlying precipitating event
• Anti-thyroid drugs: e.g. Methimazole or propylthiouracil
• Lugol’ s iodine
• Dexamethasone - e.g. 4mg IV QDS - blocks the conversion of T4 to T3
• Propranolol
what is subacute thyroiditis?
Subacute Thyroiditis (De Quervain’s Thyroiditis) is thought to occur following viral infection and typically presents with hyperthyroidism
Tender goitre, hyperthyroidism and raised ESR + globally reduced uptake on technetium thyroid scan is typical of…
Subacute Thyroiditis (De Quervain’s Thyroiditis)
what are the features of thyroiditis?
Features
• Hyperthyroidism
• Painful goiter
• Raised ESR
• Globally ↓ uptake on iodine-131 scan
what is the management of subacute thyroiditis?
Management
• Usually self-limiting - most patients do not require treatment
• Thyroid pain may respond to aspirin or other NSAIDs
• In more severe cases steroids are used, particularly if hypothyroidism develops
what is hashimotos thyroiditis and who is this most commonly seen in?
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. It is typically associated with hypothyroidism although there may be a transient thyrotoxicosis in the acute phase. It is 10 times more common in women
what are the features of hashimoto thyroiditis?
-what antibodies exist?
Features
• Features of hypothyroidism
• Goitre: firm, non-tender
• Positive microsomal antibodies, anti-thyroid peroxidase (Anti-TPO) and anti-Tg antibodies.
what is subclinical hypothyroidism?
• Normal T3 – T4
• ↓ TSH (usually < 0.1 mu/l)
what are the causes of subclinical hyperthyroidism?
Causes
• Multinodular goitre, particularly in elderly ♀s
• Excessive thyroxine may give a similar biochemical picture
why is it important to recognise subclinical hyperthyroidism?
The importance in recognising subclinical hyperthyroidism lies in the potential effect on the cardiovascular system (atrial fibrillation) and bone metabolism (osteoporosis). It may also impact on quality of life and ↑ the likelihood of dementia
what is the management of subclinical hyperthyroidism?
Management
• TSH levels often revert back to normal - therefore levels must be persistently low to warrant
intervention
• A reasonable treatment option is a therapeutic trial of low-dose antithyroid agents for
approximately 6 months in an effort to induce a remission
what is subclinical hypothyroidism?
Basics
• Normal T3 – T4
• ↑TSH
• No obvious symptoms
what is the significance of subclinical hypothyroidism?
Significance
• Risk of progressing to overt hypothyroidism is 2-5% per year (higher in men)
• Risk ↑ by presence of thyroid autoantibodies
when should subclinical hypothyroidism be treated?
Treat if
• TSH>10
• Thyroid autoantibodies positive
• Other autoimmune disorder
• Previous treatment of graves’ disease
what is the most common cause of hypothyroidism?
In European countries primary atrophic hypothyroidism is the most cause causes of
hypothyroidism, whereas in North America Hashimoto’s thyroiditis appears to account for the
majority of cases. The reason for this discrepancy is unclear
Hypothyroidism affects around 1-2% of women in the UK and is around 5-10 times more common in ♀s than ♂s.
what are 5 causes of primary hypothyroidism?
- primary atrophic hypothyroidism
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- After thyroidectomy or radioiodine treatment
- Drug therapy (e.g. lithium, amiodarone or anti-thyroid drugs such as carbimazole)
- Dietary iodine deficiency
primary atrophic hypothyroidism:
-what is this caused by?
-what is this assoc. with?
• Most common cause in Europe
• Autoimmune disease, associated with IDDM, Addison’s or pernicious anemia
• 5 times more common in women
what is secondary hypothyroidism caused by?
- From pituitary failure
- Other associated conditions
• Down’s syndrome
• Turner’s syndrome
• Coeliac disease
what is a preferable TSH value?
A TSH value between 0.5 to 2.5 mU/l is now considered preferable
hypothyroid management:
-when should the starting dose of levothyroxine be lower?
-when should TFTs be checked after changing thyroxine dose?
-what is the overall goal of therapy?
• Initial starting dose of levothyroxine should be lower in elderly patients and those with ischemic heart disease (e.g. 25–50 mcg/day).
• Following a change in thyroxine dose thyroid function tests should be checked after 6-8 weeks
• The therapeutic goal is ‘normalisation’ of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. As the majority unaffected people have a TSH value 0.5–2.5 mu/l it is now thought preferable to aim
for a TSH in this range. Dosage changes should of course also take account of symptoms
• There is no evidence to support combination therapy with levothyroxine and liothyronine
what are side effects of levothyroxine?
• Hyperthyroidism: due to over treatment
• ↓ bone mineral density
• Worsening of angina
• Atrial fibrillation
in secondary hypothyroidism what treatment is given prior to thyroxine?
Steroid therapy is required prior to thyroxine
what are the test results for sick euthyroid syndrome? who is this commonly seen in and what is the treatment?
low/normal TSH
low T4
common in inpatients, changes are
reversible upon recovery from the systemic illness. Usually in hospitalized patients.
what are the test results for poor compliance with thyroxine?
high TSH
normal or high T4
what are the TFTs found in steroid therapy?
low TSH, high T4
what is pendred’s syndrome?
Pendred’s Syndrome Autosomal recessive disorder of defective iodine uptake
what are the features of pendreds syndrome?
Features:
• Sensorineural deafness
• Goitre
• Euthyroid or mild hypothyroidism
describe the skin features seen in hyperthyroidism
• Pretibial myxedema: erythematous, edematous lesions above the lateral malleoli
• Thyroid acropachy: clubbing
• Scalp hair thinning
• ↑ sweating
Pruritus can occur in both hyper- and hypothyroidism
describe the skin features in hypothyroidism
• Dry (anhydrosis), cold, yellowish skin
• Non-pitting edema (e.g. Hands, face)
• Dry, coarse scalp hair, loss of lateral
aspect of eyebrows
• Eczema
• Xanthomata
Pruritus can occur in both hyper- and hypothyroidism
what drug is used as the antithyroid drug in preg.?
Propylthiouracil is traditionally taught as the antithyroid drug of choice in pregnancy. This
approach was supported by the 2007 Endocrine Society consensus guidelines. It also has the
advantage of being excreted to a lesser extent than carbimazole in breast milk.
describe what happen to thyroid hormones in pregnancy and why?
Pregnancy: Thyroid Problems in pregnancy there is ↑ in the levels of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). This causes ↑ in the levels of total thyroxine but does not affect the free thyroxine level
what can happen in untreated thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy
Thyrotoxicosis
• Untreated thyrotoxicosis ↑ the risk of fetal loss, maternal heart failure and premature labour
what are the common causes of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy?
• Graves’ disease is the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy. It is also recognised that activation of the TSH receptor by HCG may also occur - often termed transient
gestational hyperthyroidism. HCG levels will fall in second and third trimester
describe the management of thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy
-what should maternal free thyroxine levels kept at
-what should be checked at 30-36 weeks
-which therapies should not be used?
• Propylthiouracil has traditionally been the antithyroid drug of choice. This approach was supported by the 2007 endocrine society consensus guidelines
• Maternal free thyroxine levels should be kept in the upper third of the normal reference range to avoid fetal hypothyroidism
• Thyrotrophin receptor stimulating antibodies should be checked at 30-36 weeks gestation - helps to determine risk of neonatal thyroid problems
• Block-and-replace regimes should not be used in pregnancy
• Radioiodine therapy is contraindicated
hypothyroidism in pregnancy:
-is thyroxine safe?
-how often is TSH levels checked?
-breastfeeding?
Key points
• Thyroxine is safe during pregnancy
• Serum thyroid stimulating hormone measured in each trimester and 6-8 weeks post-partum
• Some women require an ↑ dose of thyroxine during pregnancy
• Breast feeding is safe whilst on thyroxine
what are the 5 different types of thyroid cancer?
-are features of hyper- / hypo- thyroidism commonly seen?`
Papillary: 70%
- Often young ♀s - excellent prognosis (associated with FAP)
Follicular: 20%
Spreads through blood vessels
Medullary: 5%
Cancer of parafollicular cells, secrete calcitonin, part of MEN-2
Anaplastic: 1%
Not responsive to treatment, can cause pressure symptoms
L ymphoma: Rare
Associated with Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune disorders
Features of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism are not commonly seen in patients with thyroid malignancies as they rarely secrete thyroid hormones
describe the management of papillary and follicular cancer
Management of papillary and follicular cancer
• Total thyroidectomy
• Followed by radioiodine (I-131) to kill residual cells
• Yearly thyroglobulin levels to detect early recurrent disease (only after total thyroid ablation)
primary hyperparathyroidism:
-what is the typical presentation?
-what is this most commonly caused by?
Primary Hyperparathyroidism: In postgraduate exams primary hyperparathyroidism is stereotypically seen in elderly ♀s with an unquenchable thirst and an inappropriately normal or raised parathyroid hormone level. It is most commonly due to a solitary adenoma
what are the features of hyperparathyroidism?
Features:
‘Bones, stones, abdominal groans and psychic moans’
• Polydipsia, polyuria
• Peptic ulceration/constipation/pancreatitis
• Bone pain/fracture
• Renal stones
• Depression
• Hypertension
what is hyperparathyroidism assoc with?
Associations
• Hypertension
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia: MEN I and II
what do investigations show in hyperparathyroidism?
Investigations
• Raised calcium, low phosphate
• PTH may be raised or normal
• Technetium-MIBI subtraction scan
what is the treatment for hyperparathyroidism?
Treatment
• IV Fluids
• Total parathyroidectomy
• Bisphosphonates
what is primary hypoparathyroidism?
-what do tests show?
-what is the treatment?
Primary hypoparathyroidism
• ↓ PTH secretion
• E.g. Secondary to thyroid surgery
• Low calcium, high phosphate
• Treat with alfacalcidol
what is psuedohypoparathyroidism?
-what is it due to?
-how is this inherited?
-what is the clinical syndrome?
-what is seen on blood test?
-how is diagnosis made?
• Target cells being insensitive to PTH
• In type I pseudohypoparathyroidism there is a complete receptor defect whereas in type II the
cell receptor is intact.
• Due to abnormality in a G protein
• Autosomal dominant fashion
• Associated with low IQ, short stature, shortened 4th and 5th metacarpals
• Low calcium, high phosphate, high PTH
• Diagnosis is made by measuring urinary cAMP and phosphate levels following an infusion of
PTH. In hypoparathyroidism this will cause ↑ in both cAMP and phosphate levels. In pseudohypoparathyroidism type I neither cAMP nor phosphate levels are ↑ whilst in pseudohypoparathyroidism type II only cAMP rises.
what is pseudopseudohypothyroidism/
Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism
• Similar phenotype to pseudohypoparathyroidism but normal biochemistry
what are causes of cranial diabetes insipidus?
Causes of Cranial DI
• Idiopathic
• Post head injury
• Pituitary surgery
• Craniopharyngiomas
• Histiocytosis X
what is DIDMOAD?
-what is this AKA
DIDMOAD is the association of cranial Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy and Deafness (also known as Wolfram’s syndrome)
what are the causes of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Causes of nephrogenic DI
• Genetic (primary)
• Electrolytes: hypercalcemia, Hypokalemia
• Drugs: demeclocycline, lithium
• Tubulo-interstitial disease: obstruction, sickle-cell, pyelonephritis
what’s the investigation for diabetes insipidus?
Investigation
• High plasma osmolarity, low urine osmolarity
• Water deprivation test
how to diagnose DM:
-symptomatic
-asymptomatic
what is impaired fasting glucose?
what is impaired glucose tolerance?
If the patient is symptomatic:
• Fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l
• Random glucose ≥11.1 mmol/l (or after 75g oral glucose tolerance test)
If the patient is asymptomatic the above criteria apply but must be demonstrated on two separate occasions.
Impaired fasting glucose (IFG): fasting glucose 6.1 - 7.0 mmol/l implies impaired fasting glucose
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT): fasting plasma glucose < 7.0 and OGTT 2-hour 7.8 - 11.1
how to diagnose DM:
-symptomatic
-asymptomatic
what is impaired fasting glucose?
what is impaired glucose tolerance?
If the patient is symptomatic:
• Fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l
• Random glucose ≥11.1 mmol/l (or after 75g oral glucose tolerance test)
If the patient is asymptomatic the above criteria apply but must be demonstrated on two separate occasions.
Impaired fasting glucose (IFG): fasting glucose 6.1 - 7.0 mmol/l implies impaired fasting glucose
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT): fasting plasma glucose < 7.0 and OGTT 2-hour 7.8 - 11.1
a HbA1c of greater than or equal to 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) is diagnostic of diabetes mellitus a HbAlc value of less than 6.5% does not exclude diabetes (i.e. it is not as sensitive as fasting samples for detecting diabetes) in patients without symptoms, the test must be repeated to confirm the diagnosis it should be remembered that misleading HbA1c results can be caused by increased red cell turnover
what are common adverse effects of sulfonylurea?
what are rarer side effects?
Common adverse effects
• Hypoglycaemic episodes (more common with long acting preparations such as chlorpropamide)
• ↑ appetite and weight gain
Rarer adverse effects
• Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion
• Bone marrow suppression
• Liver damage (cholestatic)
• Photosensitivity
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Sulfonylureas should be avoided in breast feeding and pregnancy
what is metformin and how does it work?
Metformin is a biguanide used mainly in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Mechanism of action
• ↑ Insulin sensitivity
• ↓ hepatic gluconeogenesis
• May also ↓ gastrointestinal absorption of carbohydrates
When should metformin be used?
-what other conditions is metformin used in?
Unlike sulphonylureas it does not cause hypoglycemia and weight gain and is therefore first-line if the patient is overweight. Metformin is also used in polycystic ovarian syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
what are th adverse effects of metformin - how should this drug be initiated to reduce the risk of these?
Adverse effects
• Gastrointestinal upsets are common (nausea, anorexia, diarrhea), intolerable in 20%
• ↓ vitamin B12 absorption - rarely a clinical problem
• Lactic acidosis* with severe liver disease or renal failure
• High dose (>2gm) interferes with enterohepatic circulation of bile salt → diarrhea.
Gastrointestinal side-effects are more likely to occur if metformin is not slowly titrated up. The BNF advises leaving at least 1 week before increasing the dose. If a patient is intolerant to standard metformin then modified release preparations should be tried
what are the contraindications to metformin?
• Chronic kidney disease: NICE recommend reviewing metformin if the creatinine is > 130
μmol/l and stopping metformin if > 150 μmol/l
• Do not use during suspected episodes of tissue hypoxia (e.g. Recent MI, sepsis)
• Alcohol abuse is a relative contraindication
• Stop 2 days before general anaesthetic, restart when renal function normal
• Stop prior to IV contrast e.g. Angiography, restart when renal function normal
what are thiazolidinediones and how do they work?
Thiazolidinediones are a new class of agents used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. They are agonists to the PPAR-gamma receptor and ↓ peripheral insulin resistance
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR-gamma receptor) is an intracellular nuclear receptor. Its natural ligands are free fatty acids and it is thought to control adipocyte differentiation and function
what are the adverse effects of thiazolidinediones and when are they contraindicated?
Adverse effects
• Weight gain
• Liver impairment: monitor LFTs
• Fluid retention - therefore contraindicated in heart failure. The risk of fluid retention is ↑
if the patient also takes insulin
• Recent studies have indicated an ↑ risk of fractures
• Rosiglitazone is not recommended for use in patients with ischemic heart disease or peripheral
arterial disease. The risk of complications may be ↑ if rosiglitazone is combined with insuli
when are thiazolidinediones considered?
NICE guidance on thiazolidinediones
• Only continue if there is a reduction of > 0.5 percentage points in HbA1c in 6 months
how does GLP-1 work?
a hormone released by the small intestine in response to an oral glucose load
In normal physiology an oral glucose load results in a greater release of insulin than if the same load is given intravenously - this known as the incretin effect. This effect is largely mediated by GLP-1 and is known to be ↓ in T2DM.
Increasing GLP-1 levels, either by the administration of an analogue or inhibiting its breakdown, is therefore the target of two recent classes of drug
Exenatide (GLP-1)
• ↑ insulin secretion and inhibit glucagon secretion
• Licensed for use in T2DM
• Must be given by subcutaneous injection within 60 minutes before the morning and evening
meals. It should not be given after a meal
• May be combined with metformin, a sulfonylurea or a thiazolidinedione
• Typically results in weight loss
• Major adverse effect is nausea and vomiting
• The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued specific warnings on the
use of exenatide:
o increased risk of severe pancreatitis o increased risk of renal impairment
Exenatide (GLP-1 mimetic)
-what is the overall effect on insulin secretion and glucagon
-how is this given
-what are the side effects
-what do these drugs increase the risk of?
• ↑ insulin secretion and inhibit glucagon secretion
• Licensed for use in T2DM
• Must be given by subcutaneous injection within 60 minutes before the morning and evening
meals. It should not be given after a meal
• May be combined with metformin, a sulfonylurea or a thiazolidinedione
• Typically results in weight loss
• Major adverse effect is nausea and vomiting
• The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued specific warnings on the
use of exenatide:
o increased risk of severe pancreatitis
o increased risk of renal impairment
NICE guidelines:
-when should exenatide be used?
-when should exenatide be continued after starting?
NICE guidelines on the use of Exenatide
if triple therapy is not effective, not tolerated or contraindicated then NICE advise that we consider combination therapy with metformin, a sulfonylurea and a glucagonlike peptide1 (GLP1) mimetic if:
BMI >= 35 kg/m² and specific psychological or other medical problems associated with obesity or
BMI < 35 kg/m² and for whom insulin therapy would have significant occupational implications or
what are the advantages of DPP-4 inhibitors to exenatide? (gliptin)
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) Inhibitors (e.g. Vildagliptin, sitagliptin)
• Oral preparation
• Trials show that the drugs are relatively well tolerated with no ↑ incidence of hypoglycemia
• Do not cause weight gain
DPP4 inhibitors - what does NICE advise RE when should therapy be continued and when would a DPP4 inhibitor be preferable to a thiazolidinedione
NICE Guidelines on DPP-4 Inhibitors
• Continue DPP-4 inhibitor only if there is ↓ of > 0.5 percentage points in HbA1c in 6 months
• NICE suggest that a DPP-4 inhibitor might be preferable to a thiazolidinedione if further weight
gain would cause significant problems, a thiazolidinedione is contraindicated or the person has had a poor response to a thiazolidinedione
describe the dietary advice that should be given to patients with T2DM
• Encourage high fibre, low glycaemic index sources of carbohydrates
• Include low-fat dairy products and oily fish
• Control the intake of foods containing saturated fats and trans fatty acids
• Limited substitution of sucrose-containing foods for other carbohydrates is allowable, but care
should be taken to avoid excess energy intake
• Discourage use of foods marketed specifically at people with diabetes
• Initial target weight loss in an overweight person is 5-10%
what are the HbA1c targets for T2DM:
controlled with lifestyle
controlled with metformin
controlled with any drug that could cause hypo
Lifestyle 48 mmol/mol (6.5%)
Lifestyle + metformin 48 mmol/mol (6.5%)
Includes any drug which may cause hypoglycaemia (e.g. lifestyle + sulfonylurea) 53 mmol/mol (7.0%)
HbA1c targets:
-is this the same for everyone?
-how often should HbA1c be checked?
-what are targets dependant on?
This is area which has changed in 2015
individual targets should be agreed with patients to encourage motivation HbA1c should be checked every 3-6 months until stable, then 6 monthly NICE encourage us to consider relaxing targets on 'a case-by-case basis, with particular consideration for people who are older or frail, for adults with type 2 diabetes' in 2015 the guidelines changed so HbA1c targets are now dependent on treatment
what are the targets BPs in T2DM?
Same as non-diabetics
clinic BP HBPM/ABPM
Age < 80 years 140/90 mmHg 135/85 mmHg
Age > 80 years 150/90 mmHg 145/85 mmHg)
• ACE inhibitors are first-line
describe the treatment in T2DM if patients can tolerate metformin?
metformin is still first-line and should be offered if the HbA1c rises to 48 mmol/mol (6.5%)* on lifestyle interventions
if the HbA1c has risen to 58 mmol/mol (7.5%) then a second drug should be added from the following list:
sulfonylurea
gliptin
pioglitazone
SGLT-2 inhibitor
if despite this the HbA1c rises to, or remains above 58 mmol/mol (7.5%) then triple therapy with one of the following combinations should be offered:
metformin + gliptin + sulfonylurea
metformin + pioglitazone + sulfonylurea
metformin + sulfonylurea + SGLT-2 inhibitor
metformin + pioglitazone + SGLT-2 inhibitor
OR insulin therapy should be considered
describe the treatment in T2DM if patients can’t tolerate metformin?
if the HbA1c rises to 48 mmol/mol (6.5%)* on lifestyle interventions, consider one of the following:
sulfonylurea
gliptin
pioglitazone
if the HbA1c has risen to 58 mmol/mol (7.5%) then a one of the following combinations should be used:
gliptin + pioglitazone
gliptin + sulfonylurea
pioglitazone + sulfonylurea
if despite this the HbA1c rises to, or remains above 58 mmol/mol (7.5%) then consider insulin therapy
when should diabetes patients be offered a statin?
following the 2014 NICE lipid modification guidelines only patients with a 10-year cardiovascular risk > 10% (using QRISK2) should be offered a statin. The first-line statin of choice is atorvastatin 20mg on
• If serum cholesterol target is not reached consider increasing simvastatin to 80mg HS.
• If target still not reached consider using a more effective statin (e.g. Atorvastatin) or adding
ezetimibe
• Target total cholesterol is < 4.0 mmol/l
when should T2DM patients be offered insulin?
Starting insulin
• Usually commenced if HbA1c > 7.5%
• NICE recommend starting with human NPH insulin (isophane, intermediate acting) taken at
bed-time or twice daily according to need
when is aspirin given to patients with T2DM?
• Aspirin to all patients > 50 years and to younger patients with other significant risk factors
what should be prescribed for T2DM patients if serum triglycerides are > 4.5
• If serum triglyceride levels are > 4.5 mmol/l prescribe fenofibrate
what is the first and second line therapy of diabetic neuropathy?
-what other options are available?
• First-line: oral duloxetine. Oral amitriptyline if duloxetine is contraindicated.
• Second-line treatment: if first-line treatment was with duloxetine, switch to amitriptyline or
pregabalin, or combine with pregabalin. If first-line treatment was with amitriptyline, switch to
or combine with pregabalin
• Other options: pain management clinic, tramadol (not other strong opioids), topical lidocaine
for localised pain if patients unable to take oral medication
• Consider capsaicin ointment (red pepper extract) local application
what are the symptoms of gastroparesis?
-what are the management options?
Gastroparesis
• Symptoms include erratic blood glucose control, bloating and vomiting
• Management options include metoclopramide, domperidone or erythromycin
Hypoglycaemia: drug abuse
↑ Insulin with ↓ C-Peptide level points to a diagnosis of?
C-Peptide level ↑ with?
↑ Insulin with ↓ C-Peptide level points to a diagnosis of insulin abuse
C-Peptide level ↑ with Sulfonylurea abuse