Endocrine Flashcards
PC hyponatremia
N/V, anorexia, confusion, muscle cramps , seizures, coma
Causes of hypovolemic hyponatremia
Pre-renal : Burns, D/V, pancreatitis
Renal: Diuretics, Addisons, nephropathy, osmotic diuresis
Salt loss in excess of H20 loss
Causes of euvolemic hyponatremia
Dilutional hypoantremia due to intake of water in excess of kidneys ability to excrete.
SIADH, severe hypothyroidism, fluid overload, psychogenic polydipsia
Causes of hypervolemic hyponatremia
Water excess = HF, cirrhosis, renal failure
Functions of kidney
Secrete epo and renin. Regulate levels of Na+, K+, Cl-, phosphate, HCO3. Regulate acid base balance
Pseudohyponatremia
hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperprolactinemia
MOA bisphosphonates
Accumulate in bone matrix inhibit osteoclast action by blocking HMG-reductase. Reduced bone reabsorption and calcium uptake
Indications for bisphosphonates
osteoporosis, hypercalcemia, metastasis/Pagets
SE of bisphosphonates
Oesophageal irritation, headache, osteonecrosis of the jaw, hypocalcemia
Osteomalacia
Inadequate mineralisation of bone. Due to vit D deficiency (CKD, poor diet, malabsorption
PC osteomalacia
diffuse joint/bone pain, weakness, bowing of legs, compressed vertebrae, #NOF
Signs of osteomalacia
Inv - low Ca2+, high PTH, high Alk phos
X-ray - craniotabes, cupped epiphyses
Rapid correction of sodium
Pontine demyelinosis - demyelination and necrosis of central pons and corticospinal tracts leading to quadriplegia, ophthalmoplegia, pseudo bulbar palsy and coma
Inv for hyponatremia
rule out pseudo causes - BM, cholesterol
TFT’s to rule out hypothyroid
U+E’s - Addisons (high K+, low Na+)
Urine osmolality - SIADH
Mx hyponatremia
Stop all diuretics, SSRI’s
SIADH - fluid restriction, levels of sodium are normal just diluted
Acute + symptomatic = 3% hypertonic saline 150ml IV over 15 mins to rapidly replace ( don’t increase by over 10mmol/L in 24hrs)
Find the causes!!
Severe acute hyponatremia
Cerebral oedema leading to brainstem herniation due to h20 shift from blood vessels to interstitial space.
SIADH
Inappropriate ADH levels leads to fluid retention and hyponatremia. ADH acts to increase aquaporin insertion at the distal convoluted tubule. This leads to low osmolality. As the body retains h20 aldosterone is released to facilitate Na+ loss hence facilitation h20 loss down its concentration gradient.
SIADH Inv
low Na+ and plasma osmolality
high urinary Na+ and urinary osmolality
normal thyroid function, no evidence of Addisons
Mx SIADH
fluid restrict
ADH receptor antagonist - demeclocycline
find the cause!!
Causes of SIADH
Ectopic ADH - SCLC Hypothyroidism Infections - pneumonia, TB, lung abcess, meningitis SAH, trauma, stroke, Drugs - SSRI's, carbamazepine,
Hypernatremia PC
Na+ >145 Pc - thirst, polydipsia, polyuria, dehydration leading to weakness, seizures and coma
Causes of hypernatreamia
hypovolemic - vomiting, sweating, burns = dehydration
euvolemic - diabetes insipidus (mass water loss)
hypervolemic - hyperaldosteronism, Cushing’s
Much rarer almost exclusively due to h20 deficit
Causes of hypokalemia
reduced intake - malnutrition, chronic alcoholism
increased losses - vomiting, diarrhoea
Conn’s, cushings
diuretics, insulin OD, alkalosis, Bblocke
Ranges of potassium
hypo < 3.5 moll/l
hyper > 5.5 moll/l
Potassium physiology
98% intracellular maintained by Na+/K+ pump. approx 87% absorbed @ proximal convulted tubule and thick ascending limb. Leaves 13 % variable for distal consulted reabsorption via aldosterone. Aldosterone = Na+ reabsorption and K+ excretion
PC hypokalemia
asymptomatic, hypotonia, hyporeflexia, cramps + tetany
ECG changes in hypokalemia
flattened t waves, increased PR and Qt interval , low volume QRS, ST depression
Potassium modulators
B2 agonists ie salbutamol stimulate Na+/K+ pump
Insulin drives K+ intracellularly
Alkalosis - low H+ levels in blood leads to H+/K+ exchange to increase blood H+ levels
Mx hypokalemia
mild + moderate (2.5 - 3.9) - oral K+ supplements
severe (<2.5) IV 40mmol KCL in 1l 0.9 % Nacl (max 20mmol per hr)
Causes of hyperkalemia
rhabdomylosis, tumour lysis syndrome Addison's , hypoaldosteronism ACEi, potassium sparing diuretics, B blockers Renal failure Metabolic acidosis, DKA
PC hyperkalemia
tachycardia, palpitations - arrhythmias
flaccid paralysis and weakness
ECG signs of hyperkalemia
Tall tented t waves, wide QRS, small p waves - risk of VF
Mx of hyperkalemia (>6.5)
IV calcium gluconate 10% 10ml - stabalise cardiac membrane
Nebulised salbutamol
IV 20% glucose and 10 Units insulin infusion
Posterior pituitary
ADH and oxytocin
1 vs 2 endocrine disease
1 = dysfunction of target organ 2 = pituitary dysfunction
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
21 hydroxylase deficiency 46xxF leads to development of male characteristics muscle bulk, body hair and deep voice. Due to increased circulation androgens
Mineralocorticoid
Aldosterone produced by zona glomerulosa. Acts vasoconstrictor the efferent renal arteriole to increase filtration. Increases sodium retention and potassium excretion. Stimulates ADH release and thirst reflex
Glucocorticoids
Cortisol produced by the zona fasiculata. Causes gluconeogensis leading to hyperglycaemia. Protein catabolism leading to muscle wasting. Reduced calcium uptake - osteoporosis. Reduced immune response
Testing the pituitary
short synacthen - stimulate using acth
dexamethasone suppression - halt cortisol secretion via -ve feedback
Causes of hypopituitarism
Iatrogenic - surgery, irradiation Vascular - apoplexy, sheenans syndrome Infiltrative - sarcoidosis, haemochromatosis Neoplastic - metastasis, adenoma Infective - TB, abcess
Function of oestrogen
2ndary sexual characteristics, inhibits bone reabsorption, alters lipid profile
Function of progesterone
maintains uterine lining, reduced contractility of uterine SM, reduced skin elastic
Apoplexy
Infarction of pituitary due to haemorrhage or schema linked to presence of pituitary adenoma. Increased risk in DM, DIC and anticoagulation.
PC of apoplexy
PC - severe onset headache, vomiting, meningism
visual loss and opthalmaplegia
(cavernous sinus compression)
Mx of apoplexy
confirm diagnosis with MRI, IV steroids and fluids to replace. V hard to differentiate from SAH
Sheenhan’s syndrome
haemorrhage infarction of pituitary. Often due to post partum haemorraghe
Mass effect of pituitary adenoma
Classically gradual vision loss tunnel vision due to optic chiasm compression. Bitemporal hemianopia
Headache and nausea. Possible hyper/hypopituitary
Hyperpituitary problems
SIADH, acromegaly, Cushings syndrome, hyperthyroid, hyperprolactinemia
Causes of Cushings syndrome
ACTH dependent - Cushing's disease (benign adenoma) ectopic ACTH (SCLC, thymic/pancreatic carcinoid)
ACTH independent - bilateral hyperplasia, adrenal adenoma
Exogenous steroids - inhalers, steroids
PC Cushings
central obesity - moon face, buffalo hump, wt gain
proximal muscle wasting
straie, easy bruising, fragile skin, acne and hirsutism
impotence, depression and insomnia
Complications of Cushings
HTN, DM, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome
Investigation Cushings
24hr urinary cortisol
high Na+, low K+ (due to high aldosterone levels
high BP, high glucose
CT scan to look for adrenal/pituitary adenoma. CXR
dexamethasone supression - failure to suppress. ACTH levels for 1 vs 2
Mx Cushings
Transsphenodial surgery for pituitary adenoma
Reduce exogenous steroids
Bilateral adrenalectomy
Treatment of ectopic
Causes adrenal insufficiency
1st - Addisons
2nd - AI, TB and AIDS, Malignancy - breast, lung and kidney, Infarction, Waterhouse fredreich ( meningoccal sepeticima) . Amyloidosis and haemochromatosis. Post radiotherapy/ surgery
Adrenal crisis
Medical emergency PC hypovolemic shock, abdominal pain, hypoglycaemia, hypotension, confusion, dysarthria
Mx adrenal crisis
IV fluids 0.9% NaCl, 100mg IV hydrocortisone, correct hypoglycaemia. ECG to check for arrhythmias due to low K+
Inx adrenal insufficiency
low Na+, high K+
high ESR, urea
serum cortisol @ 9am >580nmol
short synacthen test failure to respond.
PC adrenal
hypoglycaemia, postural hypotension, N/V, abdo pain, wt loss, malaise, weakness, low Na+, K+
hyper pigmentation of buccal mucosa due to high ACTH
Differentiation of 1st and 2nd adrenal failure
1st - high acth, high renin, low cortisol
2nd - low acth, low renin
Causes of hyperaldosteronism
1 - Conn’s syndrome (adrenal adenoma), bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal adenoma
2 - chronically increased renin levels due to HF, cirrhosis, renal artery stenosis, nephrotic syndrome
PC hyperaldosteronism
asymptomatic - hypertension, low K+, high Na+, metabolic alkolosis
Inv hyperaldosteronism
CT of kidneys looking for adenoma/ hyperplasia
fludrocortisone suppression test
renin:aldosterone (high in 2ndary disease) low renin due to -ve feedback in 1 disease
Mx hyperaldosteronism
potassium sparing diuretics
adrenal adenalectomy for Conn’s