Endocrine Flashcards
What are the characteristics of endocrine hormones?
They travel through the blood and act at distant receptor sites
Where are hormone receptors located?
Either on cell surface or inside target cells
What are 3 mechanisms of hormone regulation?
Diurnal fluctuations, cycles, or feedback mechanisms
How are hormone disorders categorized?
Primary, secondary, and tertiary
What are the 2 types of diabetes insipidus?
Nephrogenic and central
Diabetes insipidus results from a deficiency in what?
ADH aka vasopressin
S/sx of diabetes insipidus are r/t FVO or FVD?
FVD
Why is urine clear with diabetes insipidus?
Kidneys start excreting urine at a higher rate and unable to concentrate it.
How is central diabetes insipidus treated?
Synthetic ADH
How is diabetes insipidus distinguished from DM?
Its characterized by clear tasteless urine vs sweet tasting urine
Why is ADH also called vasopressin?
It causes blood vessels to contract to increase BP
SIADH is characterized by what?
Excessive release of ADH
Are SIADH s/sx related to fluid overload or fluid deficit?
Fluid overload
Which electrolyte imbalance is most concerning with SIADH.
Hyponatremia which can lead to cerebral edema
What are the s/sx of hyponatremia?
What are the s/sx of hypernatremia?
What are the s/sx of hypokalemia?
What are the 2 forms of Cushing’s syndrome?
ACTH-dependent: results from hypersecretion of ACTH from the pituitary.
ACTH-independent: most often results from adrenal hyperplasia/neoplasia. Pituitary is not producing excessive ACTH, but adrenal glands are.
Why do we see changes in glucose levels with alterations in cortisol levels?
Cortisol is needed for the production of glucose
What is the difference between Cushing’s syndrome and Cushing’s disease?
Cushing’s syndrome is excess cortisol levels and Cushing’s disease is excess ACTH.
where are glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens released from?
The adrenal cortex which is the outer layer of the adrenal glands
What is the role of glucocorticoids?
Metabolism and inflammation
What is the role of mineralcorticoids such as aldosterone?
Maintain Na+/K+ balance
How do androgens play a role in the sexual development of a patient with Cushing’s syndrome?
Males will have increase estrogen levels (gynecomastia). Females will have increase testosterone levels.
Where is ACTH produced and released from?
anterior pituitary gland stimulated by the release of CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone) from the hypothalamus
What class of steroid is cortisol?
Glucocorticoid
What are the 2 major functions of the thyroid gland?
Metabolism and calcium homeostasis
What is the major role of T3 and T4?
Drive metabolism
What does the thyroid gland produce and release?
T3 , T4, and calcitonin
What does the parathyroid gland produce and release?
PTH
How does PTH affect calcium levels in the serum?
It increases them
How does calcitonin affect calcium levels?
It decreases them
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is produced where?
the hypothalamus
TSH is produced where?
anterior pituitary gland
What are the symptoms of a thyroid storm associated with hyperthyroidism?
high fever, extreme tachycardia, HTN, angina, agitation, and restlessness.
Clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism are related to increase production of what?
T3, T4, and calcitonin
What is myxedematous coma r/t hypothyroidism?
Life threatening; caused by uncontrolled hypothyroidism, abruptly stopping thyroid replacement meds, or removal of thyroid gland. Body is shutting down and slowing down to the point of death.
Hypothermia, respiratory failure, hypoglycemia and hyponatremia, extreme drowsiness, bradycardia → coma
Clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism are r/t to reduced amounts of what?
thyroid hormone leading to decrease T3, T4, and calcitonin.
What is the major role of insulin?
To move glucose into the cells
Which cells in the pancreas produce insulin?
Beta cells
What is hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS)?
When there is high blood sugar and hyperosmolar state but no ketones. This is seen with type 2.
Is DKA associated with type 1 or 2 DM?
Type 1
What is the difference between type 1 and 2 DM?
Type 1: there is little to none insulin production
Type 2: there is some insulin production but the body does not respond to it and/or reduced production.
Which type of DM is more genetically derived?
Type 1
A primary endocrine disorder means that there is an abnormality with what?
the target cell, tissue, organ.
A secondary endocrine disorder means that there is an abnormality with what?
The anterior pituitary gland
A tertiary endocrine disorder means that there is an abnormality with what?
The hypothalamus
The accronym STRESSED stands for what s/sx associated with Cushing’s syndrome?
S-skin is fragile
T-trunkal obesity
R- round face “moon face”, reproductive issues
E-ecchymosis, elevated BP
S-striae on the ext and abdomen
S-sugar extremely high
E-excessive body hair in women
D-dorsocervical fat pad “buffalo hump”, depression
What does the acronym STEROID associated with Addison’s disease stand for?
S-Sodium and sugar (low), salt craving
T-tired and weak
E-electrolyte imbalance (K+ , Na+)
R-Reproductive changes
O-lOw BP
I-increased pigmentation
D-diarrhea, nausea, and depression
What is the key player in SIADH and diabetes insipidus?
ADH
What is the function of T3 and T4?
It helps us burn calories; determines how fast new cells replace dying cells; how fast we digest foods, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system; increases our body temp, HR, and BP; important for brain develop and regulating TSH.
