Endocrinology Flashcards
In which directions do calcium and phosphate go in parathyroid mediated calcium problems?
Opposite directions
In which directions do calcium and phosphate go in Vitamin D related calcium problems?
Same direction
In which directions do calcium and phosphate go in teriary hyperpara?
Same direction
How does magnesium deficiency affect calcium levels
- Reduces PTH secretion and causes PTH resistance
- Appears like hypopara
1.
Describe the calcium, phosphate, PTH and urine calcium patterns in the following disorders:
- Primary hyperpara
- Tertiary hyperpara
- Pseudohypopara
- FHH
- Lithium
- Thiazide
- Vitamn D excess
- PTHrP
- Osteolysis
- Vitamin D deficiency
What are the indications for surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism
- Symptomatic
- Asymptomatic (Stay The Fudge Away U Stupid Calcium)
- Serum calcium >0.25 above ULN
- T-score < -2.5 at L-spine, total hip, femoral neck or distal 1/3 of radius
- Fractures
- Age <50
- Urine calcium >10 mmol/day
- Stones or nephrocalcinosis by X-Ray, U/S, CT
- Creatinine clearance <60
What is the medical management for patients with primary hyperpara who are not candidates for surgery
- Correct vitamin D deficiency: Target serum 25OH vitD >50
- Amino-Bisphosphonates are effective at preventing BMD decrease and at reducing remodelling
- Consider cinecalcet if symptomatic and surgery is not an option
- Can be combined with bisphosphonates in select patients
What must always be ruled out before sending a patient for parathyroidectomy in primary hyperpara. How is it ruled out?
- R/O FHH
- Do 24hrs urine calcium
- Urine calcium:creatinine ration <0.01 think FHH
What is secondary hyperparathyroidism?
Appropriate increase in PTH secondary to hypocalcemia or vitamin D deficiency (most common)
How can calcium be supplemented following gastric surgery
Calcium citrate
*Calcium carbonate not absoorbed
How is secondary hyperparathyroidism treated in the context of CKD?
- Vitamin D
- Phosphate restriction
- Non-calcium phosphate binders
What is tertiary hyperparathyroidism?
- Parathyroid glands become autonomous in the setting of longstanding hypocalcemia
- Usually in the setting of ESRD
What are the indications for surgery in tertiary hyperpara
- Refractory hyperPTH despite Vitamin D analogues, calcimimetics
- No absolute cutoffs
- Severe or symptomatic hypercalcemia
- Calciphylaxis
- Progressive bone disease
Give a differential for Hypoparathyroidism
- Acquired
- Hypomagnesemia
- Post-surgical (common complication, post op thyroidectomy)
- Post-radiation
- Infiltrative disease
- Sarcoid
- Amyloid
- Cancer mets
- Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1
- Congenital
- Pseudoohypoparathyroidism
- DiGeorge syndrome
What is Whitaker’s triad in the context of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1
- Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
- Addison’s disease
- Hypoparathyrodism
List the 3 types of cancers associated with MEN-1
List the 3 types of cancers associated with MEN-2A
List the 3 types of cancers associated with MEN-2B
Explain how a radioactive iodine uptake scan is interpreted
- High uptake:
- Increased endogenous production:
- Graves
- Toxiic multinodular goiter
- Increased endogenous production:
- Low uptake
- extra thyroid hormone without increased production
- Exogenous ingestion
- inflamatory leak
- Thyroiditis
- Acute, subacute
- post-partum
- amio induced
- Thyroiditis
- extra thyroid hormone without increased production
What is pathomnemonic for Graves (even if negative RAIU)
Ophtalmopathy
What can cause an RAIU to be falsely negative in graves disease?
- CT scan with iodinated contrast
- Amiodarone
- Iodine intake (kelp)
What causes a goiter
- Stimulation of the thyroid gland
- TSH (Hashimoto)
- Thyroid receptor antibodies (Graves)
- b-HCG (pregnancy)
What causes a tender thyroid gland
- Inflamation
- Thyroiditis
How are the symptoms of Hyperthyroidism treated in the acute setting. In whom should these meds be particularly considered?
- Beta blockers (non-cardio selective)
- Especially in the elderly, resting HR>90 or CVD
How long does it take before seing the full effect of MMZ ot PTU
4-6 weeks
What is the preferec anti-thyroid drug in most circumstances
MMZ
When should PTU be used instead of MMZ?
- Pregnancy
- Thyroid storm
- Minor MMZ reactions
How should a patient be prepped for RAI therapy
- Liberal use of b-blockers unless contrraindication
- Don’t give MMZ or PTU, reduce success rate
Compare the side effects of MMZ and PTU
What are the treatment options for graves disease
- Anti-thyroid
- RAI
- Surgery
How should anti-thyroid hepatotoxicity be managed
- Get LFTs if suspicion
- MMZ: cholestatic picture
- PTU: Fulminant hepatic necrosis and liver failure
- D/C offending med!
- D/C PTU id transaminases 3x ULN
How should anti-thyroid induced agranulocytosis be managed
- Usually within 1st 3 months on the medication
- Treat with G-CSF, steroids, ABx or supportive care
- Monitor for fever and sore throat, return to ED if they have it
- No routine monitoring but get BW if suspicious
How should anti-thyroid minor skin reactions be managed
- Antihistamines +/- prednisone (for allergi rcn)
- Rule out vasculitis
What is the only side effect of anti-thyroid medications for which it is OK to switch to another antithyroid med?
- Minor reactions
- Rash
- GI symptoms
- myalgias
- arthralgias
List contraindications to RAI therapy
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Moderate to severe orbitopathy
- thyroid cancer
What are the side effects of RAI therapy
- Orbitopathy
- Thyroiditis
For how many months should pregnancy be avoided after RAI therapy
6 months
When giving RAI with orbitopathy, what should be given concurrently
steroids
How shoudl MMZ be managed if considering RAI
Stop at least 2-3 days before
What needs to be achieved before operating on a patient with graves for thyroidectomy
euthyroidism
How should graves disease with moderate to severe graves orbitopathy be treated when there are CI to surgery and ATDs
RAI with steroid prophylaxis
How is thyroid storm defined
- Very sick patient with signs of thyrotoxicosis
- Fever
- neurological Sx
- GI sx, hepatic dysfunction
- Tachycardia
- AF
- Heart failure
- Precipitant
- Infection
- Surgery
- Trauma
- iodine load
- pregnancy
- Rx non-adherence/discontinuation
- Burch Warftoski scale
*T4 excess not necessarily more than with other forms of hyper T4
How is thyroid storm managed
- Involve ICU early
- Supportive care
- Beta blockers
- Carefull with hemodynamic status
- PTU THEN
- Iodine
- Give 1hr after PTU loading dose
- Glucocorticoids
- Often AI coexists
- Helps reduce T4→T3 conversion
What is subclinical hypothyroidism
- TSH above ULN with normal free t4
When should subclinical hypothyroidism be treated in non-pregnant patients?
- TSH > 10
- Consider when
- Symptomatic
- Goiter
- Positive anti-TPO Ab
When should subclinical hypothyroidism be treated in in pregnant patients
First check TPO Ab
What is the TSH target for pregnant patients on thyroid replacement
<2.5
How should levothyroxine be adjusted when a patient becomes pregnant
Take 1 extra pill on saturday and sunday once patient becomes pregnant
Target TSH<2.5
How should graves disease be treated in pregnancy
- PTU in first trimester then swich to MMZ
- Discontinue all antithyroid meds if possible
- Use the lowest possible dose. Target T4 hign/normal range
What could be causing post-partum exacerbations of hyperT4 in graves disease
Could be from graves or from postpartum thyroiditis
Why do TSH-R Ab need to be monitored in the second trimester of pregnancy in graves patients
- They cross the placenta!
- If titers very high, (3x ULN) monitor for fetal graves
What are the adverse effects of long term beta blockade in pregnancy for graves patients
- IUGR
- fetal bradycardia
- Neonatal hypoglycemia
Describe gestational transient thyrotoxicosis and it’s pathophysiology
- hCG stimulates the TSH receptor on the thyroid gland causing increased thyroid hormones and reduced TSH
- In normal pregnancy, TBG and total T4 increase by week 7 and peak at week 16
- Generally self limited and improves by 14-18 weeks
In what contexts will the hCG effects on t4 be even more pronounced than regular pregnancy?
- Hyperemesis gravidarum
- Molar pregnancy
- Multiple gestation pregnancy
- Choriocarcinoma
how is gestationnal transient thyrotoxicosis treated?
- Treat hyperemesis if present
- Use BB if necessary for Sx
What clinical elements can help differentiate GTT from other causes of hyperthyroidism
- Ophtalmopathy and/or thyroid bruit: Graves
- Goitre: graves
- TRA + (graves)
- Nodules (toxic multinodular goitre or thyroid adenoma)
- Hyperemesis (GTT)
- Hx Thyroid disease (not GTT)
- Possibility of molar pregnancy (GTT but get pelvic US)
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
- Fragility Fx
OR
- BMD 2.5 SD or more bellow peak BMD (T≤-2.5) on DEXA
Why do we risk-stratify patients with a diagnosis of osteoporosis
- To decide who gets treatment
- 3 categories: low, moderate, hiigh
How are patients risk-stratified in Osteoporosis?
- Look for signs of “automatic high risk”=makes patient high risk regardless of risk score
- Both of: prior fragility fracture and prolonged glucocorticoid use
- ≥7.5mg pred eq/day x 3 months
- Beware of AVN of hip
- hip or spine fracture
- >1 fragility fracture
- Both of: prior fragility fracture and prolonged glucocorticoid use
- FRAX or CAROC score
How should patients with low risk osteoporosis be treated
No pharmacotherapy
Reassess risk in 5 years
How should patients with moderate risk osteoporosis be treated
- Consider pharmacotherapy
- Factors that CAN help in decision making:
- Additionnal vertebral Fx
- Previous wrist Fx in individuals >65 or t-score
- Lumbar T score << femoral neck T score
- Rapid bone loss
- Men undergoing ADT
- Women undergoing aromatase inhibitor Tx
- Long term or repeated use of corticosteroids not meeting criteria for recent prolonged use
- Recurrent falls (≥2 in 12 mo)
- Other disorders strongly associated with osteoporosis, rapid bone loss or fractures
- Factors that CAN help in decision making:
- If treating, use bisphosphonates ideally
What factors can increase you CAROC risk without a change in BMD
- Fragility fracture after age 40
- Recent prolonged use of systemic glucocorticoids
How should patients with high risk osteoporosis be treated?
Which osteoporosis treatment options are effective for vertebral, hip and non-vertebral Fx
After how many years should treatment be reassessed in osteoporosis patients on pharmacotherapy? How should treatment be modified?
- Bosphosphonates: 3-5 years
- Denosumab: 5-10 years
- Teriparatide: 2 years
- Romosuzumab: 1 year
If risk low-moderate: Drug holliday
If risk remains high: Continue or switch to another therapy
What are the indications for teriparatide
-
Severe osteoporosis with multiple vertebral fractures
- Look for CI to bisphosphonates and denosumab when considering
- Fractures despite prolonged bisphosphonate use
- High fracture risk and low bone formation
- Osteoporosis and prolonged steroid use
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw
- Atypical femoral Fx
list contraindications to teriparatide
- Renal insufficiency
- Renal stones
- Primary hyperpara/hypercalcemia
- Extensive skeletal radiation
- Paget’s disease
- don’t use in
- Children or young adults
- Pregnant or nursing women
- Gout or hyperuricemia
- Patients for >2 years
- Risk of osteosarcoma
What are the advantages of Romosuzumab
- Reduced vertebral, non-vertebral and hip Fx
- Very low risk of atypical Fx or osteonecrosis of the jaw
List side effects of romosuzumab
- Most worriesome: Increased risk of MACE
- Most common: Injection site and hypersensitivity reactions
- Very low risk of osteonecrosis of jaw and atypical femoral fracture, but still possible
Define treatment failure in osteopororsis
- Fx on therapy OR progressive decline in BMD despite being on therapy for 1 year with >80% adherence of osteoporosis medication. Specifically
- Major insufficiency Fx (spine, femoral neck, wrist, proximal humerus) OR
- Multiple minor insufficiency fractures OR
- BMD decrease > least significant after 5 years or earlier in patients with minor fractures
How is osteoporotic treatment failure managed?
- Assess compliance
- Ensure adequate calcium and vit D intake (25-OH-D should be >75)
- R/O secondary causes of osteoporosis
- R/O differences in T-Score assessment techniques
- Consider switching to another first line pharmacological agent
List side effects of bisphosphonates
- Flu-like Sx (esp zolendronic acid)
- Reflux Sx with PO
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw
- atypical femoral fractures
- Esophageal cancer (controversial)
List side effects of denosumab
- ? Increased risk of cellulitis
- Hypocalcemia
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw/ atypical femoral Fx
- Increased risk of vertebral fractures and BMD decline when therapy is stopped abruptly
What are the clinical characteristics of atypical femoral fracture
- Proximal femoral shaft fracture
- Atraumatic
- Chronic bisphosphonate use
- Asian women most likely
- May be associated with prodromal thigh pain
What are the radiographic characteristics of atypical femoral fracture
- Lateral cortical thickening
- Transverse fracture lines
- Beaking
How can you prevent atypical femoral fractures?
Drug holiday in low-risk patients on oral bisphosphonate therapy for 5 years (or IV bisphosphonates for 3 years)
How are atypical femoral fractures treated?
- Ortho consult
- Image controlateral femur
- Stop bisphosphonate
- Ensure adequate Ca and vitamin D
- Start teriparatide
How is vitamin D and calcium supplemented in osteoporosis
- Vitamin D
- Age >50: 800-2000 UI/day
- Age <50: 400-1000 UI/day
- Target 25-OH D ≥75
- Calcium
- Aim for intake of 1200 mg/day
- Supplement if not getting enough
List the non-pharmacological therapies for osteoporosis
- Appropriate resistance training, core training, balance training
- Hip protectors for older adults in LTC
- Smoking cessation
- Alcohol moderation
- Fall prevention strategies
What are the GFR cutoffs with:
- Alendronate
- Ibandronate
- Risendronate
- Adaloparatide
- Teriparatide
- Denosumab
- Romosozumab
What are the A1C treatment targets?
- ≤6.5 in some T2DM if low risk hypos
- ≤7 in almost everyone
- 7.1-8 if functionally dependant
- 71.-8.5 if
- Recurrent severe hypoglycemia/hypo unawareness
- Decreased life expectancy (very elderly)
- Frail elderly with dementia
- Pregnancy planning
- ≤7, ≤6.5 ideally
List the factors that can affect A1C
How is T1DM treated
Basal-bolus, CSII
What are the benefits of switching to CSII
- Small improvement in A1C
- Increased treatment satisfaction, Dm related QOL
- Decreased rates of severe hypoglygemia
What are the benefits of adding CGM to BBI or CSII
- Decreased A1C with no increases in hypo
- Better QOL, reduced DM distress, fear of hypoglycemia and Tx satisfaction
What are the typical recommended targets in CGM
- Glucose management indicator ≤7%
- Glycemic variability ≤36%
- Time in range >70%
- Time bellow range: Total <4%
- Level 1 (3-3.8) <3%
- Level 2 (<3) <1%
- Time above range: Total <25%
- Level 1 (10-13.9) <20%
- Level 2 (>13.9) <5%
What are the recomended CGM ranges in older/hgh risk patients
- Time in range >50%
- Time bellow range: Total <1%
- Time above range
- Level 1 (10-13.9) N/A
- Level 2 (>13.9) <10%
What are the CGM targets in pregnancy for type 1 DM
- Time in range >70%
- Time bellow range
- Level 1 (3-3.8) <3%
- Level 2 (<3) <1%
- Time above range: Total <25%
- Level 1 (10-13.9) <25%
When should CBG testing be instituted in patients with T2DM not on insulin
- When A1C targets not beaing reached
- If A1C targets reached, only measure during illness or risk of hypoglycemia
Once T2DM is diagnosed, what are the initial treatment steps?
If A1C isn’t at target in 3-6 months, what additional steps should be taken in patients with ASCVD, CKD, HF, Age >60 or with 2 CV risk factors?