Endocrine System Flashcards
Where is the hypothalamus located?
In the brain above the brain stem
What is the hypothalamus split into?
Anterior pituitary
Posterior pituitary
Which 2 hormones does the posterior pituitary produce?
Oxytocin
ADH
What hormones does the anterior pituitary produce?
Growth hormone TSH ACTH FSH LH Prolactin
What is hyperpituitarism caused by?
Adenomas
What is hypopituitarism caused by?
Injury, surgery, radiation, inflammation
What is the type of pituitary adenoma called?
Prolactinoma - non functional
What does abnormal levels of ACTH cause?
Cushing’s disease
What does abnormal levels of prolactin cause?
Amenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, infertility
What does abnormal levels of TSH cause?
Hyperthyroidism
Why does hypopituitarism occur?
Occurs when 75% of the anterior pituitary function is lost.
What does the thyroid gland release?
T3 and T4
What stimulated the thyroid gland to release T3 and T4?
TSH from the anterior pituitary gland
What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?
Grave’s disease - autoimmune.
Over treatment by thyroxine. Infective thyroiditis. Toxic goitre or toxic adenoma.
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Bulging eyes, facial flushing, enlarged thyroid, tachycardia, high systolic BP, weight loss, muscle wasting, tremors, diarrhoea.
How do you manage hyperthyroidism?
Regular thyroid function tests. Treat the cause. Give carbimazole. Radioiodine or thyroidectomy.
What are the causes of hypothyroidism?
Iodine deficiency, autoimmune (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), surgery, pituitary defects, congenital.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Intolerance to cold, hair loss, lethargy, dry skim, muscle weakness, constipation, anorexia, weight gain, low HR
What is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland. More common in women than men. 45-60 years old.
How do you treat hypothyroidism?
Give thyroxine.
What is the most common type of thyroid cancer?
Papillary carcinoma.
What are the parathyroid glands responsible for?
Calcium regulation.
What are the causes of hypoparathyroidism?
Thyroidectomy, congenital, hereditary.
What are the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism?
Due to low calcium: irritability, tetany, seizures.
What are the 3 different causes of hyperparathyroidism?
Primary - adenoma.
Secondary - chronic renal failure.
Tertiary - after renal transplant.
What are the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism?
Due to high calcium: constipation, depression, seizures, muscle wasting, polyuria, bone fractures, kidney stones.
Which hormones does the adrenal cortex produce?
Aldosterone, sex hormones, cortisol.
What is the main cause of hyperaldosteronism?
Conn’s disease
What are the symptoms of Conn’s?
Oedema, HTN, high sodium, low potassium.
What is the role of cortisol?
Essential to life, regulates blood sugar, inhibits inflammation, stress response. Excess release = cushing’s syndrome.
What are the symptoms of cushiness syndrome?
Osteoporosis, muscle weakness, moon face, buffalo hump, thinning of skin, poor wound healing, obesity, HTN.
What are the 3 causes of Addison’s disease?
Autoimmune, infection, neoplasms.
What are the symptoms of Addison’s disease?
GI symptoms, weight loss, hyper pigmentation, low sodium, high potassium.
What does the adrenal medulla produce?
Adrenaline, noradrenaline.
