Endocrine Pathology Flashcards
2 hormones secreted by posterior pituitary (and sites of action)
oxytocin (breast) and ADH (kidney)
vascular supply of anterior v. posterior pituitary
Anterior only has a single system: portal vascular system that’s a conduit from the hypothalamus.
The posterior has dual circulation (arteries/veins and the portal venous system). Means anterior is more susceptible to ischemia!
What type of cells comprise the posterior pituitary?
modified glial cells (pituicytes) and axonal processes (so it’s almost like brain tissue)
embryo derivative of anterior v. posterior
anterior = Rathke's pouch posterior = floor of the 3rd ventricle
Name the two inhibitory hormones from the hypothalamus. What do they act on?
Dopamine - aka PIF: inhibits prolactin release
Somatostatin - aka GIH: inhibits growth hormone release
Name the 2 acidophilic and 3 basophilic cells of the anterior pituitary
Acidophils = Somatotrophs (GH) and Lactotrophs (Prolactin) Basophils = Corticotrophs (ACTH), Thyrotrophs (TSH), and Gonadotrophs (FSH and LH)
2 ways to know microscopically if there is a pituitary adenoma
- homogenous appearance of one cell type
2. decreased reticulin fibers (histo slide looks like little islands in a sea of spots)
Function of Dopamine
prevents pituitary from releasing prolactin, which is not needed in everyday life. So usually we are in a constant dopamine inhibitory state
Stalk effect
less common cause of hyperprolactinemia than an adenoma = mass in suprasellar compt that disturbs the usual hypothalamic inhibitory effect of dopamine on prolactin
(4) presenting sx of prolactinoma
amenorrhea, infertility, loss of libido, and galactorrhea (abnormally high flow of milk in lactating woman or secretion of milk from nonlactating person)
Pharm tx of prolactinoma
Bromocriptine (dopamine analog)
increased GH in a GH Adenoma stimulates increased secretion of? What does this cause?
IGF-1. This is the cause of gigantism in kids and acromegaly in adults
Oral glucose challenge
High glucose should suppress GH production. If failure to suppress GH, is a very sensitive test for acromegaly.
Cushing syndrome v. Cushing Disease
Syndrome = the general state of excess ACTH leading to hypersecretion of cortisal from adrenals
Disease = specifically a pituitary adenoma as the culprit for the hypercortisolism
Name 4 not so obvious Cushing’s sx
osteoporosis, cardiac hypertrophy (HTN), amenorrhea, and skin ulcers with poor wound healing
What is required to dx a pituitary carcinoma?
must demonstrate metastases. pituitary carcinomas are very rare
Fxn of Oxytocin
stimulates contraction of uterine smooth muscle and cells of lactiferous ducts in mammary glands
Blood Na levels in Diabetes Insipidus pt
HYPERnatremia. Urine is dilute w/ low spec gravity
Blood Na levels in SIADH
HYPOnatremia - b/c absorbing to much water due to excess ADH
What condition often leads to SIADH?
ectopic ADH secretion from small cell carcinoma of the lung (paraneoplastic syndrome)
What lymph node sits behind the thyroid
Delphian lymph node
How do T3 and T4 travel in the serum?
Bound to thyroxine binding globulin, Albumin, and Transthyretin proteins
Name of the genes that thyroid hormone has an effect on. What effect is it?
TREs = the thyroid hormone response elements in target genes upregulating transcription. Think of thyroid hormones as UPregulators
Binding of T4 v. T3 to nuclear receptors
T3 binds with 10 x affinity of T4 to the nuclear receptors
(4) effects of thyroid hormones
- Breaks down lipids and carbs
- Makes proteins
- Critical role in brain development (why absence of thyroid hormone during fetal/neonatal development = profound intellectual stunting)
- Overall: Increased Basal Metabolic Rate!
(2) functions of Calcitonin
- promotes bones to take up Ca out of the blood
2. inhibits osteoclasts from resorbing bone
Thyroid storm
abrupt onset of severe hyperthyroidism. emergent b/c can cause heart arrhythmia
Most useful screening test for hypo or hyperthyroidism. Follow up confirmation test?
Serum TSH. Will be low in primary hyperthyroid and high in secondary hyperthyroid.
Usually confirmed w/ an elevated serum FT4
Grave’s Disease Triad
hyperthyroidism, exopthalmos (from infiltrative ophthalmopathy), and infiltrative dermopathy (pretibial myxedema)
mechanism of Grave’s disease
an autoimmune disease with auto-Abs most commonly to the TSH receptor. Abs could also be against thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase
(3) gene defects associated w/ Grave’s disease
PTPN22
CTLA-4
HLA-DR3
(4) reasons for the exopthalmopathy in Graves
- T cells infiltrate (and take up space) in retro-orbits
- Inflammation causes edema and swelling of ocular muscles
- Accumulation of extracellular matrix
- Increased adipocytes
expected lab findings in Grave’s for TSH, T3/T4, and Iodine uptake
low TSH, high T3/T4, and high iodine uptake that is DIFFUSE
Primary v. Secondary v. Tertiary Hypothyroidism (and 2 examples of primary)
Primary: actual thyroid is problem. Hashimoto’s or surgery/radiation
Secondary: pituitary is problem = TSH deficiency
Tertiary: hypothalamus is problem = TRH deficiency
TSH in primary v. secondary/tertiary hypothyroidism
primary hypothyroidism = high TSH
secondary/tertiary = low TSH