Endocrine and metabolic Flashcards
Conditions and presentations
What is the minimum HbA1c that would be diagnostic of type 2 diabetes mellitus?
6.5%
48 mmol/mol
Secondary hyperparathyroidism
PTH (Elevated)
Ca2+ (Low or normal)
Phosphate (Elevated)
Vitamin D levels (Low)
May have few symptoms
Eventually may develop bone disease, osteitis fibrosa cystica and soft tissue calcifications
Parathyroid gland hyperplasia occurs as a result of low calcium, almost always in a setting of chronic renal failure
Secondary hyperparathyroidism management
Usually managed with medical therapy.
Indications for surgery in secondary (renal) hyperparathyroidism:
- Bone pain
- Persistent pruritus
- Soft tissue calcifications
Tertiary hyperparathyroidism management
- Allow 12 months to elapse following transplant as many cases will resolve
- The presence of an autonomously functioning parathyroid gland may require surgery.
- If the culprit gland can be identified then it should be excised.
- Otherwise total parathyroidectomy and re-implantation of part of the gland may be required.
Primary amenorrhoea
Failure to establish menstruation by 15 in girls
Normal secondary sexual characteristics
such as breast development
Or
Age of 13 girls with no secondary sexual characteristics
Secondary amenorrhoea definition
Cessation of menstruation for 3-6 months in women with prev normal and regular menses
6-12 months in women with previous oligomenorrhoea
Primary causes of Amenorrhoea (6)
gonadal dysgenesis (e.g. Turner’s syndrome) - the most common causes
testicular feminisation
congenital malformations of the genital tract
functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (e.g. secondary to anorexia)
congenital adrenal hyperplasia
imperforate hymen
Secondary causes of amenorrhoea (8)
hypothalamic amenorrhoea (e.g. secondary stress, excessive exercise)
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
hyperprolactinaemia
premature ovarian failure
thyrotoxicosis (hypothyroidism)
Sheehan’s syndrome
Asherman’s syndrome (intrauterine adhesions)
Pregnancy
Investigations for amenorrhoea
exclude pregnancy with urinary or serum bHCG
full blood count, urea & electrolytes, coeliac screen, thyroid function tests
gonadotrophins
low levels indicate a hypothalamic cause where as raised levels suggest an ovarian problem (e.g. Premature ovarian failure)
raised if gonadal dysgenesis (e.g. Turner’s syndrome)
prolactin
androgen levels
raised levels may be seen in PCOS
oestradiol
Management of primary amenorrhoea
investigate and treat any underlying cause
with primary ovarian insufficiency due to gonadal dysgenesis (e.g. Turner’s syndrome) are likely to benefit from hormone replacement therapy (e.g. to prevent osteoporosis etC)
Secondary amenorrhoea investigations
exclude pregnancy, lactation, and menopause (in women 40 years of age or older)
treat the underlying cause
What is ectopic pregnancy?
Implantation of a fertilized ovum outside the uterus results in an ectopic pregnancy
27 year old woman who presents to the emergency department with a history female with a history of 6-8 weeks amenorrhoea who presents with lower abdominal pain and later develops vaginal bleeding
Ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy symptoms
lower abdominal pain
due to tubal spasm
typically the first symptom
pain is usually constant and may be unilateral.
vaginal bleeding
usually less than a normal period
may be dark brown in colour
history of recent amenorrhoea
typically 6-8 weeks from the start of last period
if longer (e.g. 10 wks) this suggest another causes e.g. inevitable abortion
peritoneal bleeding can cause shoulder tip pain and pain on defecation / urination
dizziness, fainting or syncope may be seen
symptoms of pregnancy such as breast tenderness may also be reported
Signs of ectopic pregnancy
abdominal tenderness
cervical excitation (also known as cervical motion tenderness)
adnexal mass: NICE advise NOT to examine for an adnexal mass due to an increased risk of rupturing the pregnancy. A pelvic examination to check for cervical excitation is however recommended
Pregnancy of unknown location investigation
case of pregnancy of unknown location, serum bHCG levels >1,500 points toward a diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy
Osteomalacia
softening of the bones secondary to low vitamin D levels that in turn lead to decreased bone mineral content. If this occurs in growing children it is referred to as rickets, with the term osteomalacia preferred for adults.
Causes of osteomalacia (9)
vitamin D deficiency
malabsorption
lack of sunlight
diet
chronic kidney disease
drug induced e.g. anticonvulsants
inherited: hypophosphatemic rickets (previously called vitamin D-resistant rickets)
liver disease: e.g. cirrhosis
coeliac disease
Features of Osteomalacia
bone pain
bone/muscle tenderness
fractures: especially femoral neck
proximal myopathy: may lead to a waddling gait
Investigations of osteomalacia
bloods
low vitamin D levels
low calcium, phosphate (in around 30%)
raised alkaline phosphatase (in 95-100% of patients)
x-ray
translucent bands (Looser’s zones or pseudofractures)
Treatment of osteomalacia
- vitamin D supplementation
A loading dose is often needed initially
calcium supplementation if dietary calcium is inadequate
Paget’s disease of the bone
primarily a disorder of osteoclasts, with excessive osteoclastic resorption followed by increased osteoblastic activity. Paget’s disease is common (UK prevalence 5%) but symptomatic in only 1 in 20 patients.
Which bones are commonly affected by Paget’s disease?
The skull, spine/pelvis, and long bones of the lower extremities are most commonly affected.
Predisposing factors for Paget’s’s disease
increasing age
male sex
northern latitude
family history