Endocrinology Flashcards
What are the two main causes of hypercalcaemia?
Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Malignancy e.g. multiple myeloma, bone metastasis
How does hypercalcaemia present?
Bones, stones, moans, groans
Bone pain/fracture
Renal calculi / renal colic
Depression
How does hypercalcaemia show on an ECG?
Short QT interval
How is hypercalcaemia treated?
Rehydration with normal saline
What are the causes of hypocalcaemia?
Vitamin D deficiency
Chronic kidney disease
Primary hypoparathyroidism
Pseudohypoparathyroidism
How does hypocalcaemia present?
Tetany - muscle twitching/cramping
Parasthaesia
Trousseau’s sign
Chvostek’s sign
How does hypocalcaemia show on an ECG?
Prolonged QT interval
How is hypocalcaemia managed?
IV Calcium Gluconate
10ml of 10% over 10 minutes
What is Cushing’s Syndrome?
The signs and symptoms due to prolonged cortisol excess
What is Cushing’s Disease?
Increased cortisol due to a pituitary adenoma secreting ACTH
How does Cushing’s Syndrome present?
Moon face
Central obesity
Proximal limb wasting
Buffalo hump
Hyperglycaemia
Hypertension
Osteoporosis
Depression
What are ACTH dependent causes of Cushing’s?
Cushing’s Disease
Ectopic ACTH secreted from small cell lung cancer
What are ACTH independent causes of Cushing’s?
Steroids
Adrenal adenoma
Adrenal carcinoma
How is Cushing’s Syndrome investigated?
Overnight Dexamethasone suppression test
What is seen on 8mg Dexamethasone suppression test for Cushing’s Disease?
Suppressed ACTH, suppressed cortisol
What does it mean if the 8mg Dexamethasone suppression test suppresses ACTH but not cortisol?
ACTH independent Cushing’s - adrenal adenoma, adrenal carcinoma
What does it mean if both ACTH and cortisol are still high after 8mg Dexamethasone suppression test?
Ectopic ACTH production e.g. from small cell lung cancer
What is the main cause of primary hypoadrenalism?
Addison’s disease
What are causes of secondary adrenal insufficiency?
Due to the pituitary not producing enough ACTH - may be due to surgery/trauma/radiotherapy
What is tertiary hypoadrenalism?
Hypothalamus not producing enough corticotrophin releasing hormone - usually due to long term steroid use
How does adrenal insufficiency present?
Lethargy, weakness
Weight loss
Salt-craving
Hypoglycaemia
Hyponatraemia
Hyperkalaemia
How is adrenal insufficiency investigated?
Short synacthen test - Synacthen given and cortisol levels measured before and after (Synacthen is synthetic ACTH and stimulates adrenal hormone release)
Can also measure 9am cortisol
How is hypoaldrenalism managed?
Hydrocortisone + fludrocortisone
How does an Addisonian crisis present?
Hypotension Hypoglycaemia Reduced consciousness Hyponatraemia Hyperkalaemia
How is an Addisonian crisis managed?
100mg stat hydrocortisone
What are the two main causes of hyperaldosteronism?
Adrenal adenoma (conn’s syndrome) Bilateral idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia
How does hyperaldosteronism present?
Hypertension
Hypokalaemia- may present as muscle weakness
How is bilateral adrenal hyperplasia managed?
Aldosterone antagonist (Spironolactone)
How does type 1 diabetes present?
Polyuria
Polydipsia
Weight loss
What blood glucose is needed to diagnose type 1 diabetes?
Fasting >7
Random >11.1
What autoantibodies can be seen in T1DM?
Anti-GAD
Insulin autoantibodies
Islet cell antibodies
How is type 1 diabetes managed?
Insulin therapy
How does DKA present?
Polyuria Polydipsia Dehydration Abdominal pain Kussmaul breathing Acetone smelling breath
What lab results are seen in DKA?
Raised ketones
Raised blood pH (metabolic acidosis with raised anion gap)
Raised glucose
Low bicarbonate
How is DKA managed?
1) fluid resus with 0.9% sodium chloride
2) IV Insulin at 0.1 units/kg/hour
3) potassium replacement
What are modifiable risk factors for T2DM?
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
High carb diet
What are non-modifiable risk factors for T2DM?
Ethnicity
Family history
Old age
How is T2DM investigated?
Fasting glucose >7
Random glucose >11.1
HbA1c >48
How is T2DM managed?
1) Metformin
2) add: Sulfonylurea/gliptin/pioglitazone/SGLT-2 inhibitor
3) add another
4) insulin
Add another if HbA1c is above 58
What are side effects of Metformin?
Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Lactic acidosis
When is Metformin contraindicated?
Chronic kidney disease
Recent MI
Alcohol abuse
Note: stop Metformin in acidosis
Which diabetic drug can cause hypoglycaemia?
Sulfonylurea (keep HbA1c at 53)
What are side effects of sulfonylurea?
Weight gain
Hypoglycaemia
Which diabetic drug is CI in pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Sulfonylurea
What are side effects of a gliptin (DPP4 inhibitor)?
Symptoms of URTI
GI tract upset
Pancreatitis
NOT THAT EFFECTIVE
What are side effects of a pioglitazone e.g. Thiazolidinedione?
Weight gain
Increased risk of bladder cancer (CI in bladder cancer)
Fluid retention
Increased risk of fractures
How does hypoglycaemia present?
Sweating Shaking Anxiety Hunger Nausea
What is the most common cause of hypothyroidism?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
How does hypothyroidism present?
Weight gain Menorrhagia Cold intolerance Constipation Dry skin
What autoantibodies are seen in Hashimoto’s?
Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies
Anti-TPO antibodies
How is hypothyroidism managed?
Levothyroxine
What are side effects of levothyroxine?
Hyperthyroidism
Reduced bone mineral density
(osteoporosis)
Worsening of angina
AF
What medications interact with levothyroxine?
Iron tablets and calcium carbonate
Allow 4 hours gap
What TFTs are seen in hypothyroidism?
High TSH
Low T3/T4