Endocrinology Flashcards
What are endocrine hormones?
blood borne, acting at distant sites
What are exocrine hormones?
glands that pour secretions through a duct to the site of action
What are paracrine hormones?
hormones acting on adjacent cells
What are autocrine hormones?
Feedback on the same cells that secretes the hormone
Water soluble hormones
how is it transported, interacts with cell, half life, clearance, ex?
unbound, binds to surface receptor, short HL, fast clearance, peptides / monoamines
Fat soluble hormones
how is it transported, interacts with cell, half life, clearance, ex?
Protein bound, diffuses into the cell, long HL, slow, thyroid hormones, steroids
Name the 4 hormone classes?
peptides, amines, iodothyronine, steroids
Nature of peptides as hormones & ex?
linear / ring / vary in length
ex insulin
- stored in secretory granules
- released in pulses or bursts
- cleared by tissue or circulating enzymes
Nature of amines as hormones & ex?
ex adrenaline & noradrenaline
- water soluble
- binds to alpha & beta adrenoreceptors
- stored in secretory granules
- released in pulses or bursts
- rapid clearace
Nature of iodothyronine as hormones & ex?
thyrosine, iodine
- basis of thyroid hormone synthesis
- not water soluble, 99% protein bound
- usually measure T3 & T4 not this
How might iodothyronine be synthesised into thyroid hormones?
- thyroglobulin released into colloid - acts as base for thyroid hormone synthesis
- iodine + tyrosine → iodothyrosine
- conjugation of iodothyrosines give rise to T3 & T4 & stored in colloid bound to thyroglobulin
Subtypes of steroids & cholesterol derivatives?
vitamin D, adrenocortical & gonadal steroids, steroid
Nature of vitamin D?
it is a hormone!!
- fat soluble
- enters cell directly to nucleus to stimulate mRNA production
- Transported by vitamin D binding protein
Nature of adrenocortical & gonadal steroids?
- protein bound - fat soluble
- usually bind to cytoplasmic receptor, pass to nucleus and induce a response
- altered to active metabolites
- inactivated in liver by reduction and oxidation or conjugation to glucoronide & sulphate groups
Nature of pure steroids?
- diffuse through plasma membrane (lipid soluble!), binds to receptor
- binding occurs in cytoplasm, move to nucleus
- mimic transcription to form mRNA → exert steroid function
- (protein synthesis?)
Where are hormone receptors found and what type of hormones bind to them respectively?
- Cell Membrane (peptide)
- Cytoplasm (steroids)
- Nucleus (thyroid, estrogen, vitamin D)
think about fat solubility!
Types of hormone secretion patterns?
continuous or pulsatile
superadded rhythms - day/night cycles
Define type 1 diabetes mellitus?
autoimmune condition where beta cells are damaged with genetic component
profound insulin deficiency
Define type 2 diabetes mellitus?
chronic hyperglycaemia due to relative insulin deficiency, resistance or both
Diagnostic criteria for DM!
- HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol / mol (6.5%)
- Fasting VBG ≥ 7 mmol/L
- Random VBG ≥ 11.1 mmol/L
- OG Tolerance T>11 mmol/L
If someone is prediabetic, they would have
Impaired glucose tolerance
Where is insulin produced?
pancreas
Beta cells in the pancreatic islet of Langerhans
INHIBITED by beta blockers
How does insulin work?
acts on the liver to reduce its glucose output, inhibiting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis
promotion of glucose uptake in peripheral tissues
Decreases serum potassium through stimulation of Na/K ATPase pump
Risk factors for type 1
- Northern European / Scandinavian
- Family History (less but is)
-
Other autoimmune disease as comorbidity
- Addison’s, coeliac, autoimmune thyroid
Risk factos for type 2
- sedentary lifestyle, diet high in calories, obseogenic environment
- overweight
- fam hx - gestational diabetes, hypertension / vascular disease
Pathophysio of type 1?
autoimmune
pancreas stops producing insulin. glucose is not taken up
level of glucose in blood keeps rising → hyperglycaemia
Pathophysio type 2?
- repeated exposure to glucose & insulin makes cells in the body resistant to insulin
- beta cells in pancreas fatigued & damaged therefore producing less
- or due to lipid depo in pancreatic islets, normal secretion cannot be
Differentiate type 1 / type 2 DM?
ketones
1 - increasing level // 2 - almost never excess
insulin
1 - deficiency // 2 - always detectable
both lead to profound skeletal muscle breakdown & unrestrained lipolysis
Presentations - T1DM?
4T’s: toilet, thin, tired, thirsty
- Short history, rapid onset
- Weight loss, fatigue → check if intentional
- lipid & muscle loss due to unrestrained gluconeogenesis
- Repeated infections? Blurred vision?
- Moderate or large urinary ketones
- immediate tx with insulin!
Additional testing for type 1?
for other autoimmune diseases
and for antibodies related to T1DM
Antibodies associated with T1DM?
- Anti GAD
- Pancreatic islet cell antibodies
- Islet antigen-2 antibodies
- ZnT8
common in children, the more the better
Presentations - T2DM?
- Usually in people over 30’s
- More obese children
- and obese now?
- Onset is very gradual
- Stronger positive family history
- (less in type 1!!)
- identical twins, almost 100% concordance
Further typical presentations, T2DM
(like if you misdiagnosed and seeing patient again…)
ketone breath
free fatty acid from impaired glucose uptake - lipolysis instead so produces ketone bodies
Differentiate T1 & T2 at presentation?
type 2 in younger, including childhood
but t1 can be obese, uncontrolled t2 can present with weight loss & ketonuria → check hx, weight loss intentional?
if in doubt treat with insulin
Goal of treatment - DM
if not on insulin = normal HbA1c 50 mmol/mol
if on insulin = fasting BG between 4-7mmol/L
Types of insulin & how they should be used?
basal Insulin - covers time between meals and especially during the night, given once or twice daily
prandial or bolus (meal time) insulin (rapid acting analogues) → adjusted according to glucose & carbohydrate content of meals
Typical insulin regime for type 1?
intensive basal-bolus (both types) used = best treatment
separate basal from bolus to mimic physiology
Typical insulin regime for type 2?
insulin usually given later on in disease course, or those with poor glycemic controls
usually start with just basal → lowers nocturnal, may add bolus later (and is often required)
Ways insulin can be given (dosage)?
- analogue insulin - less risk of hypoglycemia
-
premix insulin - (mixed quick acting & long acting) - better for people who don’t want to take 5 injections a day
- but risks of hyper / hypo as day goes by and higher target needed
GUIDELINE order for oral therapy T2DM
[2022]
- metformin / metformin MR (Gi into)
if CVD with SGLT2 inhibitors - DPP4 inhibitor / pioglitazone / sulfonylurea
- insulin and/or GLP-1
Mechanism of metformin?
- decrease hepatic glucose output (gluconeogenesis) & increase peripheral glucose uptake (+ insulin sensitivity!)
- AMP kinase activation - helps with weight loss
Metformin CI?
CA renal and hepatic impairment, reduce dose or avoid
acute alcohol intox & chronic alcohol abuse
withheld 48 hours after injecting IV contrast media (+ renal imapirment)
Metformin SE?
biggest is lactic acidosis & GI upset
anorexia / diarr / nausea / abdo pain
Mechanism of SGLT-2 inhibitors
(‘flozin’s)
- block the reabsorption of glucose in the kidney, increase glucose excretion & lower blood glucose levels
- also helps with weight loss
- Specific benefit in reducing CV mortality!
Examples of SGLT-2 inhibitors?
‘flozin’s
Empaglifozin, Dapaglifozin, Canaglifozin, Ertugliflozin
CI SGLT-2 inhibitors?
CI ketoacidosis
CA in renal impairment, diuretics, low systolic BP & elderly
SE SGLT-2 inhibitors?
genital thrush
increased risk of euglycaemic ketoacidosis in T2
Incretins - what are they?
GLP-1 & GIP - glucose dependent, released by intestines to food, inactivated by DPP-4!
promote insulin secretion & suppress glucagon release
Mechanism of DPP-4 inhibitors
(‘gliptin’s)
lowers blood glucose by competitively inhibiting the action of DPP-4 (enzyme) which destroys incretins
low risk of hypo, no effect on weight
Examples of DPP-4 inhibitors?
vidagliptin, sitagliptin
‘gliptin’s
CI DPP-4 inhibitors?
type 1, ketoacidosis
preg, breastfeed, elderly >80, pancreatitis
moederate to severe renal impairment
SE DPP-4 inhibitors?
low risk, but still present, of hypoglycaemia
acute pancreatitis
Which type of medications may mask symptoms of hypoglycaemia?
beta blockers
Mechanism of pioglitazone?
improve insulin sensitivity, binds to peroxisome proliferator activated receptor
activate genes concerned with glucose uptake, utilisation & metabolism
→ need insulin for a therapeutic effect, so relatively rarely used
CI pioglitazone?
heart failure, macular haem or oedema, high risk of fractures
avoid in hepatic impairment
Mechanism of sulfonylureas?
- stimulate pancreatic insulin release by binding to beta cell receptors
- improve glycemic control, but at the expense of weight fain
- can cause hypo
→ only in patients with residual pancreatic function
CI & SE sulphonylureas?
renal & hepatic impairment
GI upset, hypoglycaemia
Complications for diabetes?
Retinopathy, nephorpathy, neuropathy
cardiovascular disease
acidosis
hypoglycaemia
Feature of diabetic ketoacidosis?
Must have all 3!!
- Hyperglycaemia: plasma gluc > 50 mmol / l
- Raised plasma / urinary ketones: 3mmol/L or > 2+ dipstick
- Metabolic acidosis plasma bicarbonate bicarbonate < 15.0 mmol/L and/or venous pH < 7.3
Which type of DM is more prone to DKA?
type 1 (lots of ketones)
but type 2 incidences increasingly recognised - as low insulin levels are sufficient to suppress catabolism & prevent ketogenesis, but may occur when hormone rise to high lvl, e.g MI
How can ketones cause acidosis?
Lack of insulin = unable to utilise glucose
Lipolysis instead: products = ketones (acetone, beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) → acidic
accumulates in blood = acidosis
Present - ketoacidosis
Hyperventilation - getting rid of Co2 & carbonic acid in blood
dehydration - might pres with vomit / diarr, hypotention, tachycardia, coma
Treatment of ketoacidosis?
1st line - rehydration, 3l first 3 hours
20ml /kg 0.9% NaCl over 15 mins
replace slowly or risk of cerebral oedema
insulin - reverse ketone production & fat breakdown
replace electrolytes, esp K+ (drive in to cell)
Complications DKA?
Cerebral oedema = swelling of brain parenchyma
What are the counterregulatory hormones for insulin?
glucagon, adrenaline, cortisol, growth hormone
When might someone be at risk for hypoglycaemia?
- Low HbA1c, High pre-treatment HbA1c in type 2
- long duration of diabetes
- daily insulin dosage > 0.85 U / kg / day
- history of previous hypo, recent episodes of severe hypo
-
impaired awareness → checks if ability to secrete adrenaline is still intact
- → ask when do they get hypo symptoms! if below 3.0 mmol / l = adrenaline no longer exists, if above = adrenaline still there
- physically active
- impaired renal and or liver function
Hypoglycaemia - symptoms?
Autonomic: trembling, palpitations, sweating, anxiety, hunger
Neuroglycopenic: difficulty concentrating, confusion, weakness, drowsy / dizziness, vision changes & difficulty speaking
Non-specific: nausea & headache
** may be symptomless if adrenaline secretion is gone too (beta blocker!)
Diagnostic criteria for hypoglycaemia?
If no known DM then Whipple’s triad
- blood glucose concentration < 4.0 mmol/L
- symptoms of hypoglycaemia
- Reversal of symptoms when BG normal
Which other conditions can cause hypoglycaemia?
- Beta cell secretagogue ingestion (e.g. ingestion of a medication that stimulates insulin release from beta cells)
- Islet beta-cell tumour (e.g. insulinoma)
- Functional beta cell disorder (e.g. high insulin secretion not due to an insulinoma)
- Insulin autoimmune hypoglycaemia (antibodies develop against insulin or its receptor)
Treatment for hypoglycaemia?
- glucose load - oral if alert, IV if coma
- retest and give more if needed
- if coma does not respond - consider glucagon but diff if poor glycogen stores; then IV glucose infusion if needed
How might one prevent hypoglycaemia?
- correct choice of therapy - sulfonylureas and insulin
- adjust targets, specialist support?
- discuss with patient - alcohol, exercise, consider sleep & age
What is diabetic neuropathy?
a collection of conditions that result from glucose-related damage to neurones of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems
Signs and symptoms, diabetic neuropathy?
glove and stocking sensory loss
Pain - burning, nocturnal exacerbation
like electrical shocks, walking on glass
Extreme spectrum sensitivity - hyper & paraesthesia, insensitivity
Consequences of diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic foot ulceration, Charcot’s joint
Peripheral neuropathy & peripheral vascular disease - nerves and circulation affected and damaged
Treatment for general diabetic neuropathy?
good glycaemic control
opioids, antidepressants etc,
Transcutaneous nerve stimulation / acupuncture / spinal cord stimulators / Psychological interventions
Screening tests for diabetic foot ulceration?
- Test sensation
- 10 gm monofilament
- neurotips
- Vibration perception
- tuning fork
- biothesiometer
- Ankle reflexes
Treatment for diabetic foot ulceration?
lower limb amputation
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Persistent damage to retina leads to ischaemia and angiogenic factors which promotes new formation of weak and friable vessels → microaneurysms, haemorrhage, fibrosis retinal detachment
Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy?
- long duration diabetes
- poor glycemic control
- hypertensive
- on insulin treatment
- pregnancy
How might one prevent diabetic retinopathy?
National Eye screening programme
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy?
-
Laser therapy
- proven treatment for DR
- aim is to stabilise changes
- but treatment does not improve sight!!
What is diabetic nephropathy & pathophysiology?
Diabetic kidney disease
High BG → damage to blood vessel clusters in kidney & kidney itself → pressure increased on filtering system in the kidneys → glomerular changes/injury → filtration rate endangered → DN
Present diabetic nephropathy?
hallmark = proteinuria (albuminuria)
reduced calculated creatinine clearance, decreased glomerular filtration rate
How might one screen for diabetic nephropathy?
at least two urine samples, collected with 3-6 months
test for urine albumin, albumin:creatine ratio, eGFR
→ can use CKD classify system
Consequences / complications - diabetic nephropathy?
major risk for CVD, kidney failure
this is more common in T2 and less in T1
What is peripheral vascular disease?
decreased perfusion to an area due to macrovascular disease
symptoms more likely to occur at more dital sites
= 15-40x more likely for amputation
Signs and symptoms of peripheral vascular disease?
most common at more distal sites
intermittent claudication + rest pain = key
- Diminished or absent pedal pulses
- Coolness of feet and toes
- Poor skin & nails
- Absence of hair on feet & legs
How might one diagnose peripheral vascular disease?
Doppler Pressure studies & Ankle Brachial Index!
Duplex arterial imaging / MRA
Treatment for peripheral vascular disease?
- quit smoking
- Pressure relieving footwear, podiatry, revascularisation, antibiotics
- surgical intervention
Preventive measures for peripheral vascular disease (& diabetic foot)?
- Screening
- Education, providing orthotic shoes
- MDT Foot clinic - treat the ulcer !!!!
- Pressure relieving footwear, podiatry, revascularisation, antibiotics
Which hormones are released by the anterior pituitary?
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) → Thyroid
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) → Adrenal cortex
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) & Luteinising hormone (LH)
- Growth hormone (GH) → entire body & liver
- Prolactin → Mammary gland
Which hormones are released by the posterior pituitary?
Oxytocin, Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Outline the thyroid axis?
= Hypothalamus stimulating (via anterior pituitary) thyroid, releases T3 & T4
- Hypothalamus: Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
- Anterior Pituitary: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Thyroid: triiodothyronine (T3) & Thyroxine (T4)
= Negative feedback cycle to control hormones
- Hypo & AP: senses T3 & T4: Suppress TRH & TSH
- Lower amount of T3 & T4 released
Function of thyroid hormones?
- accelerates and enhances food metabolism
- increase ventilation, heart rate & cardiac output
- growth rate accelerated & brain dev postnatal
How is thyroid hormone consumed by the body?
Thyroid gland produces thyroxine (T4) which is converted to triiodothyroxine (T3) in target tissues!
What is primary hyperthyroidism?
thyroid pathology → excessive Thyroid hormone
pathology = thyroid
Causes for primary hyperthyroidism?
- graves’ disease (75-80%)
- toxic multinodular goitre
- toxic adenoma
- drug induced - AMIODARONE (high iodine)
What is secondary hyperthyroidism?
thyroid overstimulated by thyroid stimulating hormone → excessive TH
pathology = hypothalamus or pituitary
What is Grave’s disease?
TSH receptor antibodies (abnormal) produced by immune system mimics TSH, overstimulate TSH receptors on thyroid → excessive TH
pathology = autoimmune
→ associated with anti-TSH antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-tg)
→ may cross placenta! ophthalmopathy strongly associated
What is a goitre?
palpable & visible thyroid enlargement
- variety of causes
- commonly sporadic or autoimmune
- endemic in iodine deficient areas
3 mechanisms for increased levels of thyroid hormones (T3 or T4)?
- overproduction of thyroid hormones
- leakage of preformed hormone from (inflamed) thyroid
- ingestion of excess thyroid hormone (from overtreatment or overingestion of pharm)
General symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Goitre - may develop into facial swelling
- tachycardia
- lid-lag + stare → suspect autoimmune
- anxiety, irritability, sweating, heat intolerance
- Unintentional weight loss but with increased appetite, diarrhoea
- frequent loose stools
- Sexual dysfunction, sub-fertility, menstrual disturbance (infrequent & light)
- dry, brittle hair or thinning hair on your scalp and body - underactive thyroid
- AF lol
Grave’s specific symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
-
Diffused goitre - symmetrical
- entire, smooth
- Pretibial myxoedema - waxy oedematous on tibia - specific to Grave’s
- Thyroid eye disease - 50% - eyes & eyelids are swollen and red
- Exophthalmos - bulging of the eyeball out of the socket (stare-y eyes) (from swelling, inflam & hypertrophy of tissues behind eyes)
- Acropachy - finger clubbing
Differentiate between a diffused goitre vs a nodular goitre?
Diffused - entire thyroid gland swells and feels smooth to the touch
Nodular - lumpy to touch due to solid or fluid filled lumps
Biggest risk factor for autoimmune hyperthyroidism?
(single biggest) being female → very common postpartum
- during pregnancy: autoimmune activity goes down
- postpartum: rise in immunity
- autoimmune thyroiditis
- grave’s thyroiditis
Diseases associated with thyroid autoimmunity?
- T1DM
- Pernicious anaemia
- Vitiligo (skin discolouration
- Coeliac disease (1 in 3 with autoimmune hyperthyroidism have coeliac)
Testing for thyroid diseases?
- *Thyroid function tests: free TSH & fT4/T3**
- *primary** = suppressed TSH
- *secondary** = inapp high TSH
Thyroid antibodies & isotope uptake scan
urinary iodine secretion
Doppler ultrasound of thyroid for nodules etc
Pharmacological tx for hyperthyroidism?
Antithyroid drugs - for symptom control
= act as a preferred substrate for iodination by thyroid peroxidase (key enzyme in thyroid hormone production)
In order - Carbimazole, PTU, beta blockers
Carbimazole - mechanism
prevents thyroid peroxidase enzyme (TPO) from coupling and iodinating thyroglobulin (which degrades into T3 and T4) hence reducing production of TPO
Carbimazole indications & regime?
1st line, Successful even for Grave’s
Normal thyroid function in 4-8 weeks, may serve as maintenance
Give as either
- Titration-block: dose is carefully titrated to maintain normal levels
- Block and replace: dose is sufficient and block all production → patient takes levothroxine titrated to effect
Propylthiouracil PTU mechanism and indications?
if carbi not tolerated, prepreg / 1st trimester, specialist for thyroid crisis
inhibits conversion of T4 → T3
small risk of liver injury so not 1st line
How might beta blockers be useful in hyperthyroidism?
blocks adrenaline related syndromes of hyperthyroidism = controls symptoms whilst the definitive treatment takes time to work
= propanolol = good choice, as non selective
= very useful in thyroid storm
SE antithyroid drugs?
common = rash
less common = arthralgia, hepatitis, neuritis, thrombocytopenia, vasculitis etc
but resolvable if stop drug
agranulocytosis → most serious!!
Signs of agranulocytosis
& how to prevent?
- sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers
- MUST warn patient before starting ATD
- STOP if patients develop symptoms & check FBC
Other tx options for hyperthyroidism?
radioactive iodine treatment
thyroid surgery
Mechanism for radioactive iodine treatment & indications?
1st line definitive for Grave’s & toxic multi-nodular goitre
Uses iodine isotope (as iodine needed for TSH production) to induces DNA damage → death of thyroid cells, causing a decrease in thyroid function and / or reduction in thyroid size
Care & CI, radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism?
radioprotection after treatment - children & preggers
CI Grave’s with active orbitopathy, pregnant / conceiving / breastfeeding women
Thyroid surgery - indications?
total or hemi or for single thyroid nodule
for intolerant to drug, recurrence, coexisting potential malignant, compression symp’s
What is Sporadic Non-toxic Goitre
- commonest endocrine disorder
- 8.6% prevalence thyroid enlargement
- Euthyroid → thyroid function is normal
- Goitre - diffuse, multinodular, solitary nodule, dominant nodule
- differentiate benign from malignant
What is toxic multi-nodular goitre?
= Plummer’s disease
nodules develop on the thyroid gland that acts independently of the normal feedback system
continuous production of excessive TSH
Features of toxic multi-nodular goitre?
- goitre with firm nodules
- Most patient’s aged over 50
- second most common cause of thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism)
What is De Quervain’s thyroiditis?
= Subacute thyroiditis
self limiting condition from viral infection
Features of Subacute thyroiditis?
Viral infection with fever, neck pain, dysphagia (swallowing problems)
Features of hyperthyroidism
Phases: viral infect - hyperthyroid - hypothyroid - euthyroid (normal!)
Treatment for De Quervain’s thyroiditis?
self limiting
but can treat with NSAIDs for pain & inflam.
beta blockers for symptomatic relief of hyperthyroidism
What is a thyroid storm?
emergency, thyrotoxic crisis
rare presentation of hyperthyroidism
Features of a thyroid storm?
hyperthermia, tachycardia, arrhythmias, nausea, vomiting, seizures and cognitive decline.
Treatment for thyroid storm?
Admission, support with fluid
Pharm
Beta blockers, thionamides (PTU), steroids, Lugol’s iodine
Hypothyroidism - define & types?
inadequately low output of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland
Primary (thyroid pathology) or Secondary (pituitary pathology)
tingling of carpal tunnels