Endocrine disorders

Question 1

What are endocrine disorders, how are they classified?

Answer 1

1. underproduction of hormones
2. overproduction of hormones
3. the development of lesions (benign/malignant tumours)

Question 2

Disorders of pituitary gland

Answer 2

Pituitary tumours

Question 3

Pituitary tumours

Answer 3

1. Non- secretory tumours- inadequate hormone secretion
2. Secretory tumours- excess hormone secretion

Question 4

Types of pituitary tumours

Answer 4

1. Pituitary adenoma- benign
2. Prolactinoma- most common benign tumour, causing excessive secretion of prolactin

Question 5

Types of Anterior pituitary gland disorders

Answer 5

1. Overactive gland
2. Underactive gland
   (related to Growth Hormone secretion)

Question 6

Overactive anterior pituitary

Answer 6

1. Gigantism-overgrowth in long bone (in children)
2. Acromegaly: (in adults)
   -overgrowth of tissues, causing coarser facial features
   -swelling hands + feet
   -protruding jaw
   -enlargement of internal organs

Question 7

Underactive anterior pituitary

Answer 7

Dwarfism- lack of growth hormone secretion, causing slow growth after 2-3 years of birth

Question 8

Disorders of Posterior pituitary gland

Answer 8

Diabetes Insipidus

Question 9

Diabetes insipidus

Answer 9

1. causes lack of ADH secretion
2. caused by head injuries, infections, factors which lead to gland failure
3. Symptoms:
   -greater amount of dilute urine
   -severe thirst
   -blurred vision
   -dehydration

Question 10

Thyroid disorders

Answer 10

Hypothyroidism- underactive gland:
1.Goitre
2.Cretinism
3.Myxoedema
4.Hashimoto’s

Question 11

Endemic Goitre

Answer 11

1. Abnormal swelling og thyroid gland= lump in neck
   2.most common cause is iodine deficiency via diet
2. causes high blood TSH levels

Question 12

Cretinism

Answer 12

1. Causes inadequate secretion of thyroid hormones T3, T4 due to iodine deficiency via diet (in kids)
2. Symptoms:
   -mental retardation
   -short stature
   -coarse/dry facial features
   -protruding tongue
   -umbilical hernia

Question 13

Myxoedema

Answer 13

1. Caused by reduced thyroid hormone production (in adults)
2. Symptoms:
   -puffed face, oedematous appearence
   -fatigue
   -obesity
   -dry, thicker skin
   -thin, brittle hair
   -mental impairment (low mood)

Question 14

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Answer 14

1. caused by hypothyroidism
2. caused due to lack of thyroid hormone production, when antibodies bind and block thyroid stimulating hormone receptors (TSHR), expressed on thyroid follicular cells
3. Symptoms:
   -goitre
   -cold intolerence
   -fatigue, muscle weakness
   weight gain (reduced metabolic rate)

Question 15

Thyroid disorders 2

Answer 15

Hyperthyroidism (graves disease)
1. an autoimmune disease, thyroid produces excess thyroid hormones
2. antibodies mimic TSH, stimulating hormone production and secretion
3.Symptoms:
-increased metabolic rate
-weight loss, but increased appetite
-bulging eyes
-heat intolerance, excessive sweating