Endocrine Disorders Flashcards
What is the pathway for thyroid regulation?
Hypothalamus - thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) => anterior pituitary - thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) => thyroid - T4 and T3 => plasma - T4 and free T4/T3 and free T4 => peripheral tissues - free T4/free T3/reverse T3
What is the condition with low TSH and low free T4?
secondary hypothyroidism
What is the condition with normal TSH and low free T4?
non-thyroid illness
What is the condition with high TSH and low free T4?
primary hypothyroidism
What is the condition with low TSH and normal free T4?
sub-clinical hyperthyroidism
What is the condition with normal TSH and normal free T4?
euthyroid state
What is the condition with high TSH and normal free T4?
sub-clinical hypothyroidism
What is the condition with low TSH and high free T4?
primary hyperthyroidism
What is the condition with normal TSH and high free T4?
non-thyroid illness or patient on Eltroxin (levothyroxine)
What is the condition with high TSH and high free T4?
secondary hyperthyroidism
What is the normal range for TSH?
0.5 - 5.0 mU/L (upper limit soon to be revised to 2.5 mU/L)
What is the normal range for free T4?
0.7 - 2.1 ng/dL
What do the parathyroid glands do?
Chief cells synthesize and secrete parathyroid hormone - polypeptide hormone
What are the roles of parathyroid hormone?
plays a major role in bone remodeling, calcium homeostasis, regulation of calcium levels, and bone mass; participates in renal excretion of phosphate and activation of vitamin D
How is parathyroid hormone regulated?
by serum ionized calcium via calcium-sensing receptors on the surface of parathyroid cells => high serum calcium levels suppress PTH secretion while low levels stimulate PTH release
How is primary hyperparathyroidism diagnosed?
patients exhibit elevated levels of serum calcium (10-11 mg/dL) and parathyroid hormone - may occur when patients are taking lithium or thiazide diuretics
What is primary hyperparathyroidism?
abnormal regulation of PTH secretion => hyper secretion of PTH relative to the serum calcium concentration
What are the effects of increasing levels of PTH?
stimulates bone resorption, leading to an increase in serum calcium levels and increased activation of vitamin D
What is the negative feedback loop relating to the parathyroid glands?
when serum calcium levels increase, PTH decreases (and vice versa) => when serum calcium levels decrease, PTH increases (and vice versa)
What are the clinical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism?
elevated PTH levels, hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria (and possible increased formation of kidney stones/urolithiasis), decrease serum phosphate levels (“stones, bones, abdominal groans, psychic moans”)
What is the normal range for parathyroid hormone?
10 - 60 pg/mL
What is the negative feedback loop in the thyroid gland?
As TSH increases, free T4 decreases => as TSH decreases, free T4 increases
What are some causes of hypercalcemia?
primary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D intoxication, use of thiazide diuretics or lithium, hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma, adrenal insufficiency, immobilization
What are signs and symptoms of excess parathyroid hormone?
s/s of hypercalcemia (weakness and myalgia, confusion, lethary, parethesias), bone pain, osteoporosis, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), hypophosphatemia, increased calcitriol, hyperuricemia, gout, anemia, HTN, abdominal pain, nausea, peptic ulcer, constipation, pancreatitis
What is the most common cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism?
chronic renal failure - normally, reduction in plasma vitamin D and moderate decreases in serum calcium lead to greater synthesis and secretion of PTH => in chronic renal disease, parathyroid expression of vitamin D and calcium receptors is reduced making the gland resistant to the usual negative feedback loop
What is a classic sign of hypoparathyroidism?
Chvostek sign - twitching or contraction of the facial muscles in response to tapping the facial nerve at a point anterior to the ear and above the zygomatic bone - due to hypocalcemic tetany
What is the mechanism of pseudohypoparathyroidism?
abnormal response to PTH due to a congenital defect in the G protein (NOT due to decreased PTH levels)
What are the classic features of pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a?
generalized hormone (TSH, LH, FSH) resistance to PTH - abnormal physical features (round face), short stature, skeletal abnormalities (short metacarpals)
What are the classic features of pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1b?
renal resistance to PTH - low plasma calcium levels, high phosphate levels, elevated PTH levels with a normal appearance
What is the normal ionized calcium range?
8.5 - 10.5 mg/dL
What is the normal plasma phosphate range?
3 - 4.5 mg/dL
What is the normal plasma PTH range?
10 - 65 pg/mL
What are the major causes of Cushing’s syndrome?
iatrogenic (pharmacologic doses of glucocorticoids), ectopic ACTH (small-cell lung cancer), pituitary ACTH-dependent (benign and malignant adrenal tumors)
What are the common signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome?
*supraclavicular fat pads (and dorsocervical fat pad - “buffalo hump”), *skin atrophy and loss of subcutaneous fat (skin peels after being covered with adhesive tape), *wide purplish striae, *proximal muscle weakness, centripetal obesity (face, neck, trunk, abdomen most common feature), facial plethora (“moon face”), depression, insomnia, glucose intolerance, HTN, easy bruisability, hirsutism, amenorrhea/impotence, acne - none are pathognomonic => important clinical clue is simultaneous development and increasing severity of several symptoms
What is factitious Cushing’s syndrome?
surreptitious intake of glucocorticoids - clue to diagnosis is low or erratic values for urinary cortisol
What are the diagnostic tests for hypercortisolism?
late-night salivary cortisol (> 7.5 mcg/dL), 24-hour urinary free cortisol excretion (basal urinary cortisol excretion more than three times the upper limit of normal), overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (> 1.8 mcg/dL)
What are some physiologic causes of hypercortisolism that should be excluded in a diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome (pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome)?
pregnancy, severe obesity (visceral obesity or PCOS), psychological stress (severe depression), malnutrition/anorexia nervosa/intense chronic exercise, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, chronic alcoholism
What is the rationale for the late-night salivary cortisol test?
the normal evening nadir in serum cortisol is preserved in obese and depressed patients but not in those with Cushing’s syndrome - not a good test for patients with erratic sleep schedules or shift work
What is the use of low-dose dexamethasone suppression tests?
used to distinguish patients with Cushing’s disease (caused by pituitary hypersecretion of ACTH) from patients with ectopic ACTH (caused by nonpituitary ACTH-secreting tumors) - not good test for patients with abnormally high levels of corticosteroid-binding globulin (e.g., estrogen-containing drugs - stop oral contraceptives 6 weeks prior)
What are common causes of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome (associated with bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia)?
pituitary hypersecretion of ACTH (Cushing’s disease), ectopic secretion of ACTH (non-pituitary tumors), ectopic secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone by non-hypothalamic tumors, iatrogenic due to administration of exogenous ACTH (not glucocorticoids)
What are the common causes of ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome?
iatrogenic due to exogenous administration of glucocorticoids (most commonly, prednisone), adrenocortical adenomas/carcinomas, primary pigmented nodular adrenocorical disease, bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia
What are the two most common causes of Cushing’s syndrome?
iatrogenic Cushing’s due to exogenous administration of glucocorticoids and pituitary tumoral hypersecretion of ACTH
What is the treatment for Cushing’s syndrome?
treat the underlying cause (e.g., stop glucocorticoids with exogenous therapy causing Cushing’s syndrome, transsphenoidal microadenomectomy for microadenoma)
How long does it take for physical signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome to resolve after effective cure?
two to 12 months - HTN, osteoporosis, and glucose intolerance improve but may not disappear
What are some common triggers of acute adrenal insufficiency?
serious infection, major stress, persistent vomiting, failure to take extra glucocorticoid during infection/major illness
What are the manifestations of adrenal crisis?
shock, anorexia, N/V, abdominal/flank/back/lower chest pain, abdominal rigidity/rebound tenderness, weakness, fatigue, lethargy, fever, salt craving, confusion, coma, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, hyperpigmentation, weight loss, electrolyte abnormalities, calcification of auricular cartilages (men only), vitiligo
What is the major hormonal factor precipitating adrenal crisis?
mineralocorticoid (not glucocorticoid)
What is the major clinical problem with adrenal crisis?
hypotension (SBP < 110 mmHg)
What differentiates primary from secondary/tertiary adrenal insufficiency?
in secondary/tertiary adrenal insufficiency, mineralocorticoid function is preserved
What are the most common features of adrenal insufficiency?
chronic malaise, lassitude, fatigue (worse with exertion and improved with bed rest), weakness (generalized), anorexia, weight loss, N/V, constipation, flank pain, orthostatic hypotension, arthralgias, salt craving
What are the causes of hyponatremia in patients with adrenal insufficiency?
sodium loss and volume depletion due to mineralocorticoid deficiency and increased vasopressin secretion (due to cortisol deficiency) - may lead to massive salt ingestion “chased” with lemon juice and thirst for iced liquids
What are the features of hyperpigmentation in adrenal insufficiency?
generalization but most conspicuous in areas exposed to light, chronic friction, or pressure; patchy pigmentation of lips, buccal mucosa, under tongue, on gingival border, on hard palate; scars acquired during primary insufficiency are permanently pigmented; hair/nails become darker with longitudinal bands of darkening - begins to fade within several days and disappears with months of adequate glucocorticoid therapy (scars never fade - melanin is trapped in fibrous connective tissue)
Which clinical manifestations are similar in all types of adrenal insufficiency?
weakness, fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, psychiatric symptoms (caused by glucocorticoid deficiency)
What features differ between primary and secondary/tertiary adrenal insufficiency?
in secondary/tertiary insufficiency: hyperpigmentation does not occur, dehydration is not present, hypotension less prominent, hyperkalemia not present, GI symptoms uncommon, hypoglycemia more common
What is the most common cause of adrenal insufficiency (generally)?
prolonged administration of pharmacologic doses of synthetic glucocorticoids causing corticotropin (ACTH) deficiency
What are the types of adrenal insufficiency?
primary, secondary (pituitary), tertiary (hypothalamic)
How is adrenal insufficiency demonstrated clinically?
(1) inappropriately low cortisol secretion, (2) determine whether cortisol secretion is dependent on or independent of corticotropin (ACTH) deficiency, (3) seek treatable cause
What is the most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency?
autoimmune adrenalitis
What are the four stages of adrenal insufficiency in patients with autoimmune adrenalitis?
(1) high plasma renin activity and normal/low serum aldosterone, (2) impaired serum cortisol response to ACTH stimulation, (3) increased morning plasma ACTH with normal serum cortisol, (4) low morning serum cortisol and overt clinical adrenal insufficiency (adrenal destruction essentially complete)
What early morning (6 am) level of serum cortisol concentration is suggestive of adrenal insufficiency?
less than 3 mcg/dL
What early morning (8 am) salivary cortisol concentration is suggestive of adrenal insufficiency?
less than 1.8 ng/mL
Why should cortisol levels be checked in the early morning?
this is the time when cortisol levels are usually higher - levels are at their lowest one hour after usual hour of sleep
What type of adrenal insufficiency is present when serum cortisol is inappropriately low and plasma ACTH is very high (may be > 4000 pg/mL)?
primary adrenal disease - both mineralocorticoid and cortisol deficiency
What type of adrenal insufficiency is present when both serum cortisol and ACTH concentrations are inappropriately low (ACTH 20 to 52 pg/mL)?
secondary (pituitary disease) or tertiary (hypothalamic disease)
What is the short ACTH stimulation test?
test performed to determine the type (primary or secondary/tertiary) of adrenal insufficiency
What is a normal response to the ACTH stimulation test?
rise in serum cortisol concentration after 30 to 60 minutes to a peak of > 18 to 20 mcg/dL after a 250 mcg IV bolus of ACTH - excludes primary and most cases of secondary adrenal insufficiency
What is the pathology of primary adrenal insufficiency?
inability to secrete cortisol (adrenal glands partially or completely destroyed and unable to respond to ACTH) but intact ability to secrete ACTH
What is the pathology of secondary/tertiary adrenal insufficiency?
patients have normal but atrophic adrenal glands that are capable of producing cortisol but fail to do so due to deficient ACTH secretion
Which test can differentiate between secondary and tertiary adrenal insufficiency?
administration of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) - patients with tertiary adrenal insufficiency lack CRH from hypothalamus and have exaggerated and prolonged ACTH response
What is Addison’s Disease?
most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency in the U.S. - autoimmune process that destroys the adrenal cortex
Which infectious processes can lead to adrenal insufficiency?
tuberculosis, fungal infections, cyotmegalovirus, syphilis, opportunistic infections with HIV
What is Graves’ disease?
autoimmune disease characterized by hyperthyroidism caused by thyroid-stimulating hormone-receptor antibodies (TRAb) that activate the receptor and stimulate thyroid synthesis and secretion - presence of TRAb distinguishes Graves’ disease from other causes of hyperthyroidism
What is the treatment for Graves’ disease?
beta blocker (atenolol 25-50 mg/day) to ameliorate common symptoms (palpitations, tachycardia, tremulousness, anxiety, and heat intolerance) and measures to decrease thyroid synthesis (thionamide, radioiodine ablation, or thyroidectomy)
What are the thionamides used to treat Graves’ disease?
methimazole (used almost exclusively) and propylthiouracil (preferred in the first trimester of pregnancy and in patients with drug reactions to methimazole)
What is the initial dose of methimazole for treatment of Graves’ disease?
small goiters and mild hyperthyroidism (free T4 1-1.5X upper limit of normal) = 10 mg daily; larger goiters and more severe hyperthyroidism (free T4 2X upper limit of normal) = 20-30 mg daily
When should thionamides be administered prior to radioiodine ablation in patients with Graves’ disease?
patients with moderate or severe orbitopathy - to achieve euthyroid (radioiodine ablation can cause or worsen Graves’ opthalmopathy)
How does radioiodone ablation work for treatment of hyperthyroidism?
radioiodine is administered in capsule or oral solution, which is rapidly absorbed from the GI tract and concentrated in thyroid tissues - results in ablation of thyroid within 6 to 18 weeks
When is surgery recommended for treatment of Graves’ disease?
severe hyperthyroidism and large goiter, pregnant women allergic to antithyroid drugs, patients with allergies to antithyroid drugs who refuse radioiodine
What other medications can be used in treatment of Graves’ disease?
glucocorticoids (inhibit peripheral T4 to T3 conversion), lithium (blocks thyroid hormone release), cholestyremine with methimazole (lowers serum T4 and T3 concentrations more rapidly than methimazole alone), carnitine (has naturally occurring peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action), rituximab (may induce sustained remission in patients with low TRAb levels)
What are the common clinical feature of hypothyroidism?
fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, myalgia, menstrual irregularities, goiter, bradycardia, HTN, delayed relaxation of deep tendon reflex, slowed mental processing, yellow skin (due to elevations in beta-carotene), carpal tunnel syndrome, coarse hair