Endocrinology Flashcards
What abnormalities would you expect on TFTs in a patient with Hypothyroidism?
High TSH
Low T4
What abnormalities would you expect on TFTs in a patient with Sub-clinical Hypothyroidism?
High TSH
Normal T4
What abnormalities would you expect on TFTs in a patient with Hyperthyroidism?
Low TSH
High T4/T3
What abnormalities would you expect on TFTs in a patient with Thyrotropinoma?
High TSH
High T4
What abnormalities would you expect on TFTs in a patient with Sick Euthyroid/pituitary issues?
Low TSH
Low T3/T4
What are the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis?
HIGH SYMPATHETIC OUTPUT
Weight loss
Diarrhoea
Weakness
Irritability
Tremor
Heat intolerance
Tachycardia
Brisk reflexes
Proximal weakness
What investigations should be performed in suspected thyrotoxicosis?
TFTs - low TSH, high T4/T3
Thyroid autoAb
Isotope scan - if unclear cause
How should thyrotoxicosis be managed?
B-blockers for sx
Block
-Carbimazole (1st line)
-Propylthiouracil
Replace
-Levothyroxine
Thyroidectomy/131-Thyroid
What are the side effects of Carbimazole?
Rash
Pruritis
Hypothyroidism
TERATOGENESIS - fetal goitre
AGRANULOCYTOSIS
What are the features of Thyroid Storm?
SUDDEN ONSET SEVERE HYPERTHYROIDISM
Hyperpyrexia, Dehydration
Tachycardia, Hypotension
Abdo pain, N&V, diarrhoea
Altered mental state
In which patient groups is Thyroid Storm typically seen?
Underlying Grave’s/TMN goitre
Precipitated by illness, trauma, emergency surgery, contrast
What is the management of Thyroid Storm?
IVI
Carbimazole
Hydrocort/Dex
Digoxin/BB for arrhythmias
Treat underlying cause
What are the features of Grave’s disease?
DIFFUSE goitre
Associated w/ autoimmune disease
GAG deposition
-exophthalmos
Pretibial myxoedema
Thyroid acropachy
By what mechanism does Grave’s disease cause hyperthyroidism?
Circulating IgG TSHR stimulating autoantibodies
What is the major pregnancy related complication of Grave’s disease and how should it be treated?
Fetal thyrotoxicosis
Treat w/ PTU (crosses placenta less)
How should exophthalmos associated w/ Grave’s disease be managed?
Stop smoking
Prism (lenses)
High-dose steroids
Decompression
Orbital XRT
What are the features of toxic multinodular goitre?
NODULAR goitre
Mass effect (e.g. compression of airway in retrosternal goitre)
Typically euthyroid –> suddenly thyrotoxic as nodules develop
By what mechanism does toxic multinodular goitre cause hyperthyroidism?
TSH independent nodules developing
How is toxic multinodular goitre managed?
Thyroidectomy
What is a toxic adenoma?
Solitary T3/T4 producing nodule
-appears ‘hot’ on isotope scan
What is subacute (de Quervain’s thyroiditis)?
Self-limiting PAINFUL goitre post viral illness
-‘cold’ on isotope scan
What is subacute (de Quervain’s thyroiditis) treated?
NSAIDs
How should Amiodarone be monitored and why?
Can cause hypo/hyperthyroidism
TFTs every 6/12
What are the clinical features of hypothyroidism?
LOW SYMPATHETIC OUTPUT + COARSE FACE
-fatigue/lethargy
-cold intolerance
-constipation
-weight gain
-bradycardia
-delayed reflex response
-myxoedema (+/- effusions)
-poor memory/difficulty concentrating
What investigations should be performed in suspected hypothyroidism?
TFTs - high TSH, low T4
Thyroid autoAb
FBC - macrocytic anaemia
High cholesterol
What are the common causes of hypothyroidism?
PRIMARY
-Deficiency - worldwide most common
-Autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) - UK most common
-Riedel’s fibrosing thyroiditis
-Iatrogenic (post rx, Amiodarone, Lithium)
SECONDARY
-hypopituitarism (rare)
What sort of goitre does Hashimoto’s present with?
Diffuse
By what mechanism does Hashimoto’s cause hypothyroidism?
TPO autoAb
What is the potential complication of Hashimoto’s?
Conversion to marginal zone B-cell lymphoma
By what mechanism does Riedel’s fibrosing thyroiditis cause hypothyroidism?
IgG4 disease
-replaces normal tissue w/ fibrosis
What are the features of Riedel’s fibrosing thyroidits?
HARD GOITRE FIXED TO NECK
Chronic
Can mimic anaplastic ca
Signs of other IgG4 disease
-retroperitoneal fibrosis
-liver disease
How is Riedel’s fibrosing thyroiditis managed?
Steroids
Thyroidectomy
What is a myxoedematous coma?
Extreme presentation of severe hypothyroidism
What are the clinical features of myxoedematous coma?
Hypothermia
Hyporeflexia
Hypoglycaemia
Bradycardia
Pancreatitis
Psychosis/seizures –> coma
What are the common precipitants of myxoedematous coma?
Recent radioiodine/thyroidectomy/pituitary surgery
Infections
Physiological stressors
What is the management of myxoedematous coma?
Ventilation (as required)
Replace (T3, glucose, warm)
Treat underlying cause
What are the distinguishing features of a pharyngeal pouch?
Older males
Dysphagia
Halitosis
Regurgitation –> aspiration
What are the distinguishing features of a thyroglossal cyst?
Midline b/w thyroid isthmus and hyoid bone
Moves w/ tongue protrusion
What are the distinguishing features of a branchial cyst?
TEENS
Oval, mobile cyst b/w SCM and pharynx
Increases in size post URTI
What are the distinguishing features of a cystic hygroma?
<2 y/o
LEFT sided
Large
Transilluminates
What are the red flag sx suggestive of thyroid ca?
Stridor
Persistent cough
Hoarseness
Haemoptysis
Lymphadenopathy
Rapid growth
Painless
Fixed/hard lump
How should thyroid ca be investigated?
Step 1 - TFTs & clinical exam
Step 2 (if euthyroid +/- lymphadenopathy) - FNA (not USS)
What are the different types of thyroid ca?
Papillary (60%)
Follicular (~25%)
Medullary (5%)
Lymphoma (5%)
Anaplastic (rare)
In which patients does papillary thyroid ca typically present?
Younger patients
-better prognosis if young/female
How does papillary thyroid ca spread?
LOCALLY
-LN
-Lung
How is papillary thyroid ca treated?
Total thyroidectomy +/- node excision +/- 131-Iodine
What are the features of follicular thyroid ca?
Presents in middle age
Spreads early via blood (bone, lungs)
Well differentiated
How is follicular thyroid ca treated?
Total thyroidectomy + T4 suppression + radioiodine ablation
In which patients does medullary thyroid ca typically present?
Sporadic (80%)
MEN2 syndromes
Which investigations should be performed when ix medullary thyroid ca?
Phaeochromocytoma screen
RET genetic screening
Calcitonin
-may be raised as tumour marker
-biopsy to exclude localised amyloidosis
How is medullary thyroid ca treated?
Total thyroidectomy + node clearance +/- external beam XRT
In which patients does thyroid lymphoma present?
W:M 3:1
How does thyroid lymphoma present?
Stridor
Dysphagia
How should thyroid lymphoma be ix?
Full lymphoma staging pre-treatment
Assess histology for MALT origin
-medullary associated lymphoma thyroid
-good prognosis
How is thyroid lymphoma treated?
ChemoXRT
In which patients does anaplastic thyroid ca present?
W:M=3:1
Elderly
What are the features of anaplastic thyroid ca?
Rapidly growing, hard, invasive
SOB
Dysphagia
Hoarse voice
How is anaplastic thyroid ca treated?
Poor response to ANY treatment
Resection OR excision + XRT to palliate
-protect airway
What are the causes of primary hyperparathyroidism?
Adenoma (80%)
Hyperplasia (>19%)
Cancer (<1%)
How does 1o hyperparathyroidism present?
Asymptomatic
Hypercalcaemic sx - bones, stones, groans, psychic moans
HTN
What clinical syndromes are associated w/ 1o hyperparathyroidism?
MEN-1
MEN-2a
Hyperparathyroid-jaw tumour syndrome
Describe MEN-1
Autosomal dominant
MEN1 tumour suppressor gene abnormality
Tumours
-parathyroid adenoma/hyperplasia
-pituitary adenoma
-pancreas tumour
-carcinoid/adrenal tumours
Describe MEN-2a
Autosomal dominant
RET proto-oncogene mutation
Tumours
-parathyroid hyperplasia (80%)
-thyroid medullary ca (100%)
-phaeochromocytoma (50%)
Describe hyperparathyroid-jaw tumour syndrome?
Autosomal dominant
Triad of:
-jaw fibromas
-pituitary adenoma
-GU tumours
Describe MEN-2b
Autosomal dominant
RET proto-oncogene mutation
Tumours
-thyroid medullary ca
-phaeochromocytoma
-mucosal neuromas
Marfanoid appearance
What are the causes of 2o hyperparathyroidism?
Vitamin D deficiency
CKD
What is the treatment of 2o hyperparathyroidism?
Treat underlying cause
PO4 binders
Vit D replacement
What is the management of 2o hyperparathyroidism?
Treat underlying cause
PO4 binders
Vit D replacement
Cinacalcet (rarely)
-if high PTH & parathyroidectomy difficult
What are the biochemical findings in 1o hyperparathyroidism?
High Ca
Low PO4
High/high normal PTH
High ALP
What are the biochemical findings in 2o hyperparathyroidism?
Low/normal Ca
High PO4
High PTH
High ALP
What is the management of 1o hyperparathyroidism?
Mild - fluids, avoid thiazides
Mod - excision
What are the complications of parathyroid excision?
HypoPTH - can save 1x gland
RLN damage - hoarse voice
Hungry bone syndrome
What is hungry bone syndrome?
Rapid hypocalcaemia due to bone remodelling after PTH suddenly suppressed
-check ca for 2/52 post PTH excision
What is the cause of 3o hyperparathyroidism?
Adaptation of autonomous parathyroid glands after prolonged 2o hyperparathyroidism
e.g. chronic renal failure AFTER transplant
What are the biochemical findings in 3o hyperparathyroidism?
High Ca
Very high PTH
What are the 1o causes of hypoparathyroidism?
Reduced PTH scretion from gland failure
-autoimmune
-surgical resection
-hereditary
What are the biochemical findings of hypoparathyroidism?
Low Ca
High PO4
Low PTH
NORMAL ALP
What are the presenting features of hypoparathyroidism?
Hypocalcaemia (SPASMODIC)
-spasms
-perioral paraesthesia
-anxiety
-seizures
-muscle tone high (colic, wheezing, dysphagia)
-orientation impaired (confusion)
-dermatitis
-impetigo herpetiformis (pustules in pregnancy)
-Chvostek’s/chorea/cataracts/cardiomyopathy/long QTc
What is Trousseau’s sign?
Carpopedal spasm on inflating BP cuff
-sign of latent tetany
What is Chvostek’s sign?
Facial muscle spasm elicited by tapping CN VII near the tragus
What syndromes are associated w/ 1o hypoparathyroidism?
DiGeorge
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy
-addison’s/hypoPTH
-candidiasis
-ectodermal dysplasia
What are the features of DiGeorge syndrome?
CATCH 22
-cardiac
-abnormal facies
-thymic hypoplasia
-cleft palate
-hypoCa
-chromosome 22
What is the treatment for 1o hypoparathyroidism?
Alfacalcidol
Ca gluconate if v. low
What is Albright’s osteodystrophy?
GNAS1 mutation causing pseudohypoparathyroidism
How does Albright’s osteodystrophy present?
SHORT 4th/5th fingers
Round face
Dental hypoplasia
Short height
Low IQ
What are the biochemical findings of Albright’s osteodystrophy?
Low Ca
High PO4
High PTH
Normal/high ALP
What is familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia?
Autosomal recessive defect in Ca SR
Leads to excess Ca reabsorption –> high serum Ca
What are the biochemical findings of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia?
Ca/Cr ratio <1/100
Ca slightly elevated
What is the treatment for familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia?
No treatment needed