Endocrine/ Metabolism Flashcards
what are the symptoms of hypocalcemia
fatigue, anxiety, depression initially;
parasthesia, tetany (involuntary contractions) of the lips, face and extremities, seizures and QT prolongation in severe cases
in obese women what provides more continual estrogen despite loss of ovarian estrogen production
peripheral fat contains aromatase which converts endogenous androgens to estrogens so obese patients have increased aromatase activity leading to increased estrogen even despite menopause
a patient with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism as well as low TSH and mild hyperprolactinemia is likely suffering from what condition
nonfunctional pituitary adenoma (produces just the alpha subunit and suppresses other trophic hormones as well due to mass effect)
infants born to mothers with Grave’s disease are at increased risk for high circulating levels of what? what is the treatment for symptomatic patients?
anti-TSH receptor antibodies (activating)
Tx: methimazole and beta blockers for symptomatic patients until self-resolution
does thyroid hormone cross the placenta
not in significant amounts
algorithm for assessing precocious puberty (i.e. before age 8)
if bone growth is elevated check basal LH, if basal LH is elevated it is gonadotropin-dependent (most commonly idiopathic), if basal LH is low and does not respond to GnRH it is gonadotropin independent (likely CAH or a gonadal tumor), if LH is low but increases with GnRH stim then it is likely gonadotropin dependent
what should you be careful not to give when treating symptoms of pheochromocytoma
do not give beta blocker first; make sure to start antihypertensive therapy with alpha blocker before beta as unopposed alpha adrenergic activity can cause rapid increases in BP
what is the initial therapy for prolactinoma
dopamine agonist (cabergoline); if sx do not improve then consider surgery surgery is unlikely to be needed for microadenoma (tumor
what happens to the amount of albumin bound to calcium vs. ionized in acidosis vs. alkalosis
acidosis: more H+ bound to albumin leaving less space for calcium resulting in high ionized calcium concentration
alkalosis: fewer H+ bound to albumin resulting in increased binding of calcium to albumin and low ionized calcium concentration
A patient has surgery and develops tachycardia, hypertension, lid lag, tremor, agitation, delirium, warm moist skin, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. What diagnosis do you suspect and what is the treatment?
thyroid storm (occurs in predisposed patients with untreated hyperthyroidism after surgeries or iodine toxicity) Tx: TFT's, propranolol, PTU followed by iodine solution after an hour (decrease hormone synthesis then decrease release), glucocorticoids (decrease peripheral T4-->T3 conversion)
how do you differentiate between Cushing’s disease (ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma) and ectopic ACTH secretion
dexamethasone suppression test: failure to suppress serum cortisol to
what should happen to a woman’s levothyroxine dose during pregnancy
it should increase: maternal hypothyroidism causes decreased IQ in infant
a diabetic patient has abdominal bloating, decreased appetite, early satiety and nausea; what is the problem and treatment?
diabetic gastroparesis
Tx=metoclopramide (has prokinetic and antiemetic properties) or erythromycin; optimize diabetes control; small, frequent meals (to decrease postprandial hypoglycemia due to malabsorption)
what plasma renin and aldosterone test values are suggestive of primary hyperaldosteronism
plasma aldosterone to renin activity ratio > 20
plasma aldosterone > 15ng/dL
in hyperaldosteronism, what prevents severe rapid hypernatremia and volume overload
aldosterone escape promotes spontaneous diuresis
what is the treatment for patients symptomatic with Paget’s disease (you don’t need to treat asymptomatic patients)
bisphosphanates (calcitonin is weaker, but used if pt cannot tolerate bisphosphanates)
what are the four symptoms of MEN2B
- medullary thyroid carcinoma
- pheochromocytoma
- mucosal neuromas
- marfanoid habitus
what are the three symptoms of MEN2A
- medullary thyroid carcinoma
- pheochromocytoma
- parathyroid hyperplasia
what are the symptoms of MEN1
- pituitary tumor
- primary hyperparathyroidism
- enteropancreatic tumors
what does hypomagnesemia do to calcium
hypomagnesemia causes hypocalcemia via PTH resistance
what is the difference between sick euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroidism
sick euthyroid: in acutely or severely ill patients total thyroid and free T3 are decreased (due to poor peripheral conversion to T3, then eventually T4 and TSH decrease)
subclinical hypothyroidism: TSH is elevated, but T3 and T4 are normal and patient is asymptomatic
Hurthle cells are seen in which cancers
follicular and papillary thyroid cancers
why must follicular thyroid neoplasm show invasion of capsule into bloodstream before diagnosis can be made of carcinoma vs. adenoma
follicular carcinoma is well-encapsulated and does not show much nuclear change so invasion is the only way to distinguish carcinoma from adenoma
what is the most common thyroid malignancy? describe its characteristics
papillary thyroid carcinoma: unencapsulated, slow growing, invasion of regional structures and lymph nodes, good prognosis, on histology ground glass cytoplasm and psamoma bodies, pale nuclei with central grooving and inclusion bodies
describe neuropathic pain in diabetes (distribution, characteristic pain of small vs. large fiber)
“stocking glove” distribution; small fiber involvement=pain, allodynia, parasthesias; large fiber involvement=loss of vibration, touch, pressure, and proprioceptive sensation
what are the treatments of diabetic neuropathic pain in order of preference
- TCA’s
- gabapentin
- NSAIDs
what happens to calcium and PTH in osteoporosis
calcium, PTH, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase are normal in osteoporosis despite lower bone density
what are carcinoid tumors and when does carcinoid syndrome develop
slow growing neuroendocrine tumors found in the small intestines, prox colon or lungs; carcinoid syndrome develops when mets to the liver prevent breakdown of secreted hormones (5HT, histamine, VIP)
how can you differentiate between primary polydipsia (DM and psychogenic), central DI and nephrogenic DI
primary polydipsia=low serum Na due to excessive water intake
central DI=high serum Na (>150) due to impaired thirst mechanism that is ADH-mediated
nephrogenic DI=normal to mildly elevated Na (142-150) due to intact thirst
what are the symptoms of a glucagonoma
necrolytic migratory erythema, hyperglycemia, GI distress, weight loss, ataxia, proximal muscle weakness, venous thrombosis
how do you interpret a water deprivation test
for polyuria and low urine Osm do a water deprivation test: if urine osm increases to >600 after 2-3 hours deprivation => primary polydipsia
if not do a desmopressin test: if urine osm increases by 50-100% it is central DI
if urine osm doesn’t increase after desmopressin it is likely nephrogenic DI
what is the medical therapy for Conn syndrome (used for pts who can’t undergo surgery or have bilateral adrenal hyperplasia)
spironolactone (also has antiandrogenic effects) or eplerenone (more selective aldosterone antagonist)
adrenal insufficiency and adrenal calcifications on CT suggest what etiology
adrenal tuberculosis (most common cause of adrenal insufficiency in developed world)