Endocrine Metabolic Disease

Question 1

What are the key functions of the endocrine system?

Answer 1

The endocrine system regulates

• metabolism
• water/salt balance
• blood pressure
• stress response
• reproduction

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms of endocrine dysfunction?

Answer 2

• muscle weakness
• atrophy
• myalgia
• cramping
• fatigue
• mental changes (nervousness, depression)
• changes in hair and skin pigmentation

Question 3

What is SIADH and what are its clinical features?

Answer 3

Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH):

• Causes water retention, hyponatremia, decreased urine output, headaches, and muscle cramps.

Pituitary Gland Disorders – Excess

Question 4

What is acromegaly and what are its symptoms?

Answer 4

Acromegaly is the abnormal enlargement of extremities due to excess growth hormone, causing joint stiffness, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Pituitary Gland Disorders – Excess

Question 5

What are the major signs and symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome?

Answer 5

Cushing’s Syndrome presents with muscle weakness, osteoporosis, poor wound healing, excess fat in the abdomen and face (moonface).

Pituitary Gland Disorders – Excess

Question 6

What are the signs of Addison’s Disease (primary adrenal insufficiency)?

Answer 6

Signs of Addison’s Disease include fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss, low blood pressure, and darkening of the skin.

• Addisons: Occurs when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
• Adrenal Glands Disorders - Deficiency

Question 7

What is the difference between Graves’ Disease and hypothyroidism?

Answer 7

- Graves’ Disease involves hyperthyroidism with symptoms like weight loss, tachycardia, and enlarged thyroid.

- Hypothyroidism presents with fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance.

Question 8

What are the common signs of hypothyroidism?

Answer 8

Common signs include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, hair loss, and myxedema (non-pitting edema).

Question 9

What are the complications of Diabetes Mellitus?

Answer 9

• Complications include hand and shoulder disorders (periarthritis)
• adhesive capsulitis
• exercise-induced hypoglycemia: Blood Glucose < 70 mg/dL OR when blood glucose drops rapidly; may still be above “normal”

Question 10

What are the signs of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia?

Answer 10

Hyperglycemia presents with confusion and changes in mental function

Hypoglycemia presents with pallor, sweating, irritability, weakness, and shakiness

Question 11

What is gout and what are its common risk factors?

Answer 11

Gout is caused by elevated uric acid, leading to monoarticular arthritis (commonly affecting the big toe)

• Risk factors = obesity, stress, and a high-purine diet.

Question 12

What are the major symptoms of osteoporosis?

Answer 12

• back pain
• loss of height
• kyphosis

Question 13

Metabolic Bone Diseases

• Osteoporosis= ?
• Osteomalacia = ?
• Paget’s Disease = ?

Answer 13

a) Osteoporosis: Bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decreases, or when the structure and strength of bone changes

b) Osteomalacia: Softening of bone from vitamin D deficiency.

c) Paget’s Disease: Bone reforms haphazardly / New bone larger, less compact, more susceptible to fracture.