Endocrinology

Question 1

Define the hormone action ‘endocrine’.

Answer 1

Acts on distant sites (blood-borne).

Question 2

Define the hormone action ‘paracrine’.

Answer 2

Acting on nearby adjacent cells

Question 3

Define the hormone action ‘autocrine’.

Answer 3

Feedback on the same cells that secreted hormone - acts on itself.

Question 4

What are the characteristics of water-soluble hormones?

Answer 4

Transport unbound, have a short half life, fast clearance.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of fat-soluble hormones?

Answer 5

Transport bound to proteins, have a long half-life and slow clearance.

Question 6

Examples of water-soluble hormones?

Answer 6

Peptides and monoamines.

Question 7

Examples of fat-soluble hormones?

Answer 7

Thyroid hormones and steroids.

Question 8

What are the metabolic changes during pregnancy?

Answer 8

Increased erythropoietin, cortisol, noradrenaline, high CO, plasma vol. expansion and insulin resistance.

Question 9

What are the gestational syndromes?

Answer 9

Pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, lipid disorders, postnatal depression/autoimmune disease and postpartum thyroiditis.

Question 10

Describe the thyroid gland development of a foetus.

Answer 10

Occurs at 10 weeks and the axis matures at 15-20 weeks. The maternal T4 (0-12 weeks) regulates neurogenesis, migration and differentiation.

Question 11

How does hypothyroidism affect pregnancy?

Answer 11

Gestational hypertension, placental abruption, post partum haemorrhage, low birth weight, preterm delivery and neonatal goitre.

Question 12

How does hyperthyroidism affect pregnancy?

Answer 12

Low birth weight, preecclampsia, preterm delivery, risk of still birth or miscarriage.

Question 13

What is the aetiology of gestational thyrotoxicosis?

Answer 13

Raised T4, low TSH, absence of thyroid autoimmunity and multiple gestation.