Endocrine Flashcards
how is T3 and T4 produced?
the hypothalamus secretes thyrotropin-releasing hormone
TRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete thyroid stimulating hormone
TSH stimulates the thyroid to release T3 and T4
THE THYROID:
Na+-Iodine symport transport into the epithelial cell against its concentration gradient. the epithelial cells synthesis thyroglobulin (from tyrosine) and exocytose into the follicle lumen. iodine is oxidised. iodination of the side chains of tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin form MIT and DIT.
MIT + DIT = T3, DIT + DIT = T4
what is the most common cause of hypothyroidism?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis - autoimmune disease (gives a goitre)
anti-TPO antibodies in ~90% of patients
other causes include lithium and amiodarone
features of hypothyroidism
weight gain, cold intolerance, anhidrosis, yellowish skin (due to impaired conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A), non-pitting oedema, constipation, menorrhagia, reduced deep tendon reflexes and carpal tunnel syndrome
medication to treat hypothyroidism
levothyroxine
MOA of levothyroxine
Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4), an endogenous hormone secreted by the thyroid gland, which is converted to its active metabolite, L-triiodothyronine (T3).
common cause of hyperthyroidism
Grave’s disease - autoimmune disease
TSH receptor antibodies in 90+% of patients
amiodarone can also cause hyperthyroidism
features of hyperthyroidism
weight loss, “manic”, restlessness, heat intolerance, palpitations, hyperhidrosis, peritibial myxoedema, Acropachy (clubbing), diarrhoea, oligomenorrhoea, anxiety, tremor
exophthalmos is the least associated feature
treatment of hyperthyroidism
carbimazole
MOA of carbimazole
is a thyroperoxidase inhibitor – prevents iodation of tyrosine so reduces T3 and T4 synthesis
what is sick euthyroid
everything (TSH, thyroxine and T3) is low
is reversible following recovery from an illness
Grave’s eye disease
severity graded using "NOSPECS" no signs or symptoms only signs e.g. upper eyelid retraction signs and symptoms (including soft tissue involvement) proptosis extra-ocular muscle involvement corneal involvement sight loss due to optic nerve involvement
thyroid storm features and management
is a life threatening condition due to undertreated hyperthyroidism
HTN, tachycardia, increased temperature, coma, agitation, diarrhoea +/- new AF
treatment:
- block synthesis (propylthiouracil or methimazole)
- block release (iodine)
- block T3 and T4 conversion (propylthiouracil, propranolol, corticosteroid +/- amiodarone)
- beta-blocker
- block enterohepatic circulation (cholestyramine)
de Quervain’s thyroiditis (aka subacture thyroiditis)
occurs following a viral infection
- hyperthyroidism (3-6 weeks, raised ESR, PAINFUL goitre)
- euthyroid (1-3 weeks)
- hypothyroidism (weeks-months)
- returns to normal
Ix: iodine-131 scan shows globally reduced uptake
does not require treatment as is self limiting, can use aspirin or NSAIDs as analgesia
primary hyperparathyroidism
raised PTH, raised Ca2+ and low PO4-
~80% due to solitary adenoma
if mild is asymptomatic but can get recurrent abdo pain, emotional and cognitive changes
secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism
secondary - raised PTH, reduced or normal Ca2+, high PO4-, low vitamin D (eventually get bone disease and soft tissue calcification), the PTH gland hyperplasia due to low vitamin D often due to CKD
tertiary - raised PTH, raised or normal Ca2+, low or normal PO4-, low or normal vitamin D, raised ALP (metastatic calcification, bone pain or fractures, pancreatitis, kidney stones), ongoing hyperPTH despite correction of renal disorder
hypoparathyroidism
often secondary to thyroid surgery - low PTH, low Ca2+, high PO4-
symptoms are due to hypocalcaemia –> tetany, perioral paraesthesia, Trousseasu’s sign, Chvostek’s sign, ecg prolonged QTc
treatment: alfacalcidol
MOA of alfacalcidol
Alfacalcidol is Vitamin D-hormone analog
hyperprolactinaemia causes (the P’s)
Pregnancy
Prolactinoma
Physiological (stress, exercise, sleep, post-sex)
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Primary hypothyroidism (TSH stimulates prolactin release)
drugs: Phenothiazines, metocloPramide, domPeridone, haloPeridol
features of hyperprolactinemia
males: impotence, reduced libido, galactorrhoea
females: amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea
treatment of hyperprolactinemia
bromocriptine
MOA of bromocriptine
bromocriptine is a dopamine agonist
dopamine acts as the primary prolactin releasing inhibitory factor
gynaecomastia causes
caused by a raised oestrogen:androgen ratio
physiological (normal in puberty)
syndromes with androgen deficiency (kallman’s, Klinefelter’s)
testicular failure (e.g. due to mumps)
liver disease
testicular disease (e.g. seminoma secreting hCG)
ectopic tumour secretion
hyperthyroidism
haemodialysis
drugs: SPIRONOLACTONE, digoxin, cimetidine, anabolic steroids
Klinefelter’s syndrome
47 XXY
taller than average, lack of secondary sexual characteristics, small and firm testes, infertile, gynaecomastia and increased risk of breast cancer, mitral valve prolapse in ~55%
management –> testosterone treatment, PTOT and speech therapy
Kartagener’s syndrome (primary ciliary dyskinesia)
dynein arm defects = immobile cilia
dextrocardia/complete sinus inversus, bronchiectasis, recurrent sinusitis and subfertility
Kallmann’s syndrome
X-linked recessive
cause of delayed puberty secondary to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism - failure of GnRH-secreting neurones to migrate to hypothalamus
delayed puberty, anosmia, failure of one or both of the testes to decend