Endocrinology Flashcards
What are the hormones released from the anterior pituitary?
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH)
Growth Hormone (GH)
Prolactin
What are the hormones released from the posterior pituitary?
Oxytocin
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Explain the Thyroid Axis
Hypothalamus - TRH
Ant. Pit - TSH
Thyroid - T3/T4
T3/T4 - negative feedback on Hypothalamus and Ant. Pit
Deiodinases act to convert T4 to T3 by removal of iodine
Explain the Adrenal Axis
Hypothalamus - CRH
Ant. Pit - ACTH
Adrenal gland - Cortisol
Cortisol - negative feedback on hypothalamus and Ant. pit
What are the functions of cortisol?
Inhibits the immune system
Inhibits bone formation
Raises blood glucose (stimulates glucagon, inhibits insulin)
Increases metabolism
Increases alertness
Explain the Growth hormone Axis
Hypothalamus - GHRH
Ant Pit - GH
Liver - IGF-1
Negative feedback
What are the major functions of growth hormone?
Stimulates muscle growth
Increases bone density and strength
Stimulates cell regeneration and reproduction
Stimulates growth of internal organs
Explain the parathyroid axis
PTH released from Chief cells of the parathyroid gland in response to low serum calcium (hypocalcaemia)
PTH acts to increase serum calcium by:
Increase activity/number of osteoclasts - increase bone resorption
Stimulates kidneys to increase calcium reabsorption and Phosphate excretion in DCT
Stimulates kidneys to Convert VitD3 to calcitriol to increase calcium absorption from the gut.
Increased serum Calcium will suppress PTH via negative feedback
Explain the renin - angiotensin - aldosterone system
Renin is a hormone secreted by the juxtaglomerular cells that sit in the afferent arterioles in the kidney.
They secrete more renin in response to low blood pressure and secrete less renin in response to high blood pressure.
Renin acts to convert angiotensinogen (released by the liver) into angiotensin I.
Angiotensin I converts to angiotensin II in the lungs by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
Angiotensin II increases blood pressure (by vasoconstriction) and stimulates aldosterone release
How does aldosterone increase blood pressure
Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid steroid hormone. It acts on the nephrons in the kidneys to:
Increase sodium reabsorption from the distal tubule
Increase potassium secretion from the distal tubule
Increase hydrogen secretion from the collecting ducts
When sodium is reabsorbed in the kidneys water follows it by osmosis. This leads to an increase in intravascular volume and subsequently blood pressure.
What is the Pituitary-Gonadal Axis?
- 1️⃣ Hypothalamus produces GnRH which acts on pituitary
- 2️⃣ Pituitary produces LH and FSH
- 3️⃣ LH travels to the gonads and causes;
- Men
- LH stimulates interstitial cells of the testes to produce testosterone
- FSH stimulates spermatogenesis - Women
FSH and LH act to activate the ovaries to produce oestrogen and inhibin; regulate the menstrual and ovarian cycle - 4️⃣ Negative feedback for hypothalamus and pituitary
- Men
- Testosterone acts on the hypothalamus to inhibit the production of GnRH
- Women
- Oestrogen acts on the hypothalamus directly to inhibit the production of GnRH
- Inhibin acts to inhibit activin, a peripherally produced hormone that positively stimulates GnRH-producing cells
- Men
What is the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Prolactin Axis?
1️⃣ TRH, Breast feeding and oestrogen will all stimulate the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland.
2️⃣ Pituitary produces Prolactin
3️⃣ Hypothalamus also produces dopamine (prolactin inhibiting hormone); this acts on the pituitary gland to reduce prolactin secretion
4️⃣ Cortisol acts as negative feedback for pituitary and hypothalamus
How does a pituitary adenoma cause symptoms?
(VERY KEY POINT)
- Exerts pressure on local structures (e.g. optic nerves)
- Exert pressure on the normal pituitary
- Behaves as a functioning tumour
What is cushings syndrome?
Cushing’s Syndrome is used to refer to the signs and symptoms that develop after prolonged abnormal elevation of cortisol (hypercortisolaemia)
What is Cushing’s Disease?
Cushing’s Disease is used to refer to the specific condition where a pituitary adenoma (tumour) secretes excessive ACTH leading to hypercortisolaemia
What is the pathogenesis of cushings syndrome?
Constantly high cortisol levels
Therefore CRH and ACTH are inhibited (unless ACTH dependent)
Therefore there is loss of the circadian rhythm release of cortisol
What is pseudo cushings?
Mimics cushings syndrome
Due to alcohol excess or severe depression.
Resolves in 1-3 weeks
What are the clinical features of someone with Cushing’s Syndrome?
Symptoms:
Signs (high stress hormone related)
Extra effects:
Round in the middle with thin limbs:
Round “moon” face
Central Obesity
Abdominal striae
Buffalo Hump (fat pad on upper back)
Proximal limb muscle wasting
High levels of stress hormone:
Hypertension
Cardiac hypertrophy
Hyperglycaemia (Type 2 Diabetes)
Depression
Insomnia
Extra effects:
Osteoporosis
Easy bruising and poor skin healing
What are the main causes of Cushing’s Syndrome?
Exogenous steroids (in patients on long term high dose steroid medications)
Cushing’s Disease (a pituitary adenoma releasing excessive ACTH)
Adrenal Adenoma (a hormone secreting adrenal tumour)
Paraneoplastic Cushing’s
What is paraneoplastic Cushing’s?
Paraneoplastic Cushing’s is when excess ACTH is released from a cancer (not of the pituitary) and stimulates excessive cortisol release.
ACTH from somewhere other than the pituitary is called “ectopic ACTH”. Small Cell Lung Cancer is the most common cause of paraneoplastic Cushing’s.
How is Cushing’s Syndrome diagnosed?
Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST):
Give patient dexamethasone at 10pm and measure ACTH and cortisol at 9am next morning to see if dexamethasone suppressed the normal morning spike
Low dose (1mg) - determine if patient has Cushings
Dexamethasone (synthetic glucocorticoid) should suppress HPA axis.
If not suppressed in morning then Cushings syndrome
High Dose (8mg) - done after low dose to determine cause:
24 hour Urinary free cortisol: (often measured at 12am)
will diagnose Cushing’s, but not determine the cause
What results would be seen in the High dose dexamethasone test to determine the cause of Cushing’s?
Cushings disease - High Dose will suppress pituitary - ACTH and cortisol is suppressed
Adrenal adenoma - High dose will suppress pituitary (-tve feedback) but not cortisol as it is independently produced by adrenal adenoma
Ectopic ACTH (SCLC) - Neither cortisol or ACTH is suppressed as their production is independent of hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal glands
What other investigations may be wanted for a diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome?
FBC - raised white cells
Electrolytes - Low potassium if aldosterone is secreted
MRI brain - pit adenoma
Chest CT - Small cell lung cancer
Abdominal CT - adrenal tumour
What is the treatment of Cushing’s Syndrome?
Remove underlying cause
Withdraw exogenous steroids
Trans-sphenoidal removal of Pit. Adenoma
Surgical removal of adrenal adenoma/other cancer
What is the difference between ACTH-dependent and ACTH-independent Cushing’s?
- ACTH-dependent → caused by a pituitary adenoma (or ectopic, ACTH producing tumour)
- ACTH-independent → caused directly by the adrenal glands
What is adrenal insufficiency?
where the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones, particularly cortisol and aldosterone
What is Addison’s Disease?
refers to the specific condition where the adrenal glands have been damaged, resulting in a reduction in the secretion of cortisol and aldosterone. This is also called Primary Adrenal Insufficiency
What is the main cause of Adrenal insufficiency in the Developed and developing world?
Developed - Addison’s disease
Developing - TB (+Sarcoidosis)
What is the most common cause of Addison’s Disease?
Autoimmune destruction of the adrenal gland
What is secondary adrenal insufficiency?
Hypopituitarism
A result of inadequate ACTH stimulating the adrenal glands, resulting in low cortisol release.
This is the result of loss or damage to the pituitary gland.
This can be due to surgery to remove a pituitary tumour, infection, loss of blood flow or radiotherapy.
What is Tertiary Adrenal insufficiency?
Tertiary Adrenal Insufficiency is the result of inadequate CRH release by the hypothalamus.
This is usually the result of patients being on long term oral steroids (for more than 3 weeks) causing suppression of the hypothalamus
How can you distinguish Addison’s disease from 2’ adrenal insufficiency?
Addison’s disease - High ACTH, Low Adrenal hormones
2’ Cause - HPA suppression - Low ACTH, Low adrenal hormones (no hyperpigmentation)
What are the Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency?
Fatigue
Nausea
Cramps
Abdominal pain
Reduced libido
What are the major Signs of adrenal insufficiency?
Bronze hyperpigmentation to skin (ACTH stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin)
Hypotension (particularly postural hypotension)
Why does Bronze hyperpigmentation only usually occur in Addison’s disease?
This is primary adrenal insufficiency and therefore the Hypothalamus and Ant. pit are still working.
These are releasing CRH and ACTH to increase the levels or cortisol but the adrenals are not responding.
High levels of ACTH are not seen in 2’ or 3’ adrenal insufficiency
What investigations should be done for adrenal insufficiency?
Short Synacthen Test
Hyponatraemia - Low aldosterone
Hyperkalaemia - Low aldosterone
Early Morning cortisol (measured at 9am)
ACTH blood test:
1’ - ACTH is High
2’ / 3’ - ACTH is Low
What is the Short Synacthen test?
The test involves giving synacthen, which is synthetic ACTH.
The blood cortisol is measured at baseline, 30 and 60 minutes after administration.
Synacthen will stimulate healthy adrenal glands to produce cortisol and the cortisol level should at least double.
A failure of cortisol to rise (less than double the baseline) indicates primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease).
What autoantibodies may be found in adrenal insufficiency?
Adrenal autoantibodies (80% of autoimmune adrenal insufficiency)
21-hydroxylase antibodies
What is the treatment of adrenal insufficiency?
Replace steroids titrated to signs.
Hydrocortisone - replace cortisol
Fludrocortisone - replace aldosterone
What is addisonian Crisis?
How do they present?
Describes acute presentation of severe Addisons disease where the absence of hormones leads to a life threatening presentation.
Present with: (4 Hs)
Reduced consciousness
Hypotension
Hypoglycaemia,
Hyponatraemia
Hyperkalaemia
How would you treat adrenal crisis?
- Immediate parenteral hydrocortisone (100mg IV, IM) then100mg every 6hrs
- Fluid resuscitation (1L N/saline 1 hour)
- Correct hypoglycaemia
- If the patient has primary adrenal insufficiency, give fludocortisone (100-200µg)
What should patients with adrenal insufficiency carry with them?
10x 10mg Tablets Hydrocortisone
Why should hydrocortisone be administered without prejudice?
Cannot harm the patient and can be life saving
When should prednisolone be administered in glucocorticoid replacement therapy?
- 3-5mg/d orally once or twice a day
- Patients with reduced compliance to hydrocortisone
What results for TSH, T3 and T4 would you see in hyper and hypothyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism:
TSH - Low (except in a pituitary adenoma)
T3/T4 - High
Primary Hypothyroidism:
TSH - High
T3/T4 - Low
Secondary Hypothyroidism:
TSH - Low
T3/T4 - Low
What are the different antibodies related to Thyroid dysfunction and what conditions are they present in?
Anti-thyroid Peroxidase antibodies (Anti-TPO) - Graves disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Antithyroglobulin antibodies - Graves disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and thyroid cancer
TSH Receptor antibodies (IgG) - Graves disease
What imaging techniques are useful in diagnosing thyroid conditions?
Thyroid Ultrasound for Nodules
Radioisotope Scan with radioactive iodine:
Diffuse high uptake - Graves disease
Focal high uptake - TMG/adenoma
Cold areas (low uptake) - Thyroid cancer
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Over production of Thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland
What is Thyrotoxicosis?
Abnormal/excessive quantity of thyroid hormone in the body.
What is Graves disease?
An autoimmune condition where TSH receptor autoantibodies stimulate the TSH-R leading to increased production of T3/T4.
Most common cause of hyperthyroidism (80-90% primary cause)
What is Toxic Multinodular Goitre (TMG)?
Nodules develop in the thyroid gland that act independently of the normal negative feedback system and therefore result in over production of T3/T4
What are the main causes of Hyperthyroidism?
Grave’s disease
Toxic multinodular goitre
Benign Adenoma (Solitary toxic thyroid nodule)
Thyroiditis (e.g. De Quervain’s, Hashimoto’s, postpartum and drug-induced thyroiditis)
What Conditions present with a smooth goitre?
Graves’ disease
Hashimoto’s disease
Drugs (e.g. lithium, amiodarone)
Iodine deficiency/excess
De Quervain’s thyroiditis (painful)
Infiltration (e.g. sarcoid, haemochromatosis
What conditions present with a nodular goitre?
Toxic solitary adenoma
Non-functional thyroid adenoma
Multinodular goitre
Thyroid cyst
Cancer
What are the Universal features of Hyperthyroidism?
(EVERYTHING FAST)
Sweating and heat intolerance
Tachycardia
Weight loss
Fatigue
Frequent loose stools
Sexual dysfunction
Anxiety and irritability
What are the unique features of Graves Disease?
Diffuse goitre (without nodules)
Graves eye disease
Bilateral exophthalmos
Pretibial myxoedema
Acropachy
All relate to the presence of TSH Receptor antibodies
What is Exopthalmos?
bulging of eyeball out of the socket caused by Graves Disease.
This is due to inflammation, swelling and hypertrophy of the tissue behind the eyeball that forces the eyeball forward.
What is Pretibial Myxoedema?
Deposits of mucin under the skin on the anterior aspect of the leg (the pre-tibial area).
This gives a discoloured, waxy, oedematous appearance to the skin over this area.
It is specific to Grave’s disease and is a reaction to the TSH receptor antibodies.
What are the unique features of TMG?
Goitre with firm nodules
Most patients are aged over 50
Second most common cause of thyrotoxicosis (after Grave’s)
What is Thyroid Storm?
A rare presentation of hyperthyroidism. It is also known as “thyrotoxic crisis”.
It is a more severe presentation of hyperthyroidism with pyrexia, tachycardia and delirium.
How is Thyroid storm treated?
Using Propylthiouracil
What is Gestational Thyrotoxicosis?
Transient form of thyrotoxicosis caused by excessive stimulation of thyroid gland by hCG.
This leads to raise free T4 but low TSH.
Usually limited to the first 12-16 weeks of pregnancy
What is Foetal Thyrotoxicosis?
Transplacental transfer of thyroid stimulating autoantibodies from mother to fetus.
These autoantibodies bind to the fetal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors and increase the secretion of the thyroid hormones.
What is the first line anti-thyroid drug?
Carbimazole:
Prevent thyroid peroxidase enzyme coupling and iodinating tyrosine residues on thyroglobulin → reduce T3 and T4
What is the second line anti-thyroid drug?
Propylthiouracil (PTU):
inhibits the conversion of T4 to T3
why would you not prescribe a pregnant women carbimazole?
Carbimazole is teratogenic
therefore give PTU
What is a key side effect of carbimazole?
Agranulocytosis
Presents as a sore throat
What are the various treatment options for Hyperthyroidism?
Carbimazole
Propylthiouracil
Radioactive iodine
Beta-Blockers
Surgery
Why is Carbimazole preferred over PTU?
PTU has high risks of severe hepatic reactions
What is the function of Radioactive iodine to treat hyperthyroidism?
Drinking a single dose of radioactive iodine.
This is taken up by the thyroid gland and the emitted radiation destroys a proportion of the thyroid cells.
This reduction in functioning cells results in a decrease of thyroid hormone production and thus remission from the hyperthyroidism
Patients are then on Levothyroxine replacement
Who cannot have radioactive iodine?
Pregnant women
What is the function of Beta-blockers in hyperthyroidism?
Used to block the adrenaline related symptoms
Typically Propranolol (non-selective) would be used
When would Surgery be used in treating Hyperthyroidism?
To removed toxic nodules/adenomas
The patient would likely be on Levothyroxine permanently
What are the differences between Graves Disease and Gestational Thyrotoxicosis?
Graves Disease symptoms predate pregnancy (and are more prominent during pregnancy)
N&V is greater in Gestational Thyrotoxicosis
Graves disease will present with Goitres
Graves disease ill have TSH-R antibodies
What is De Quervain’s Thyroiditis?
Subacute Granulomatous thyroiditis
Self limited inflammation of the thyroid often following viral infection.
What is the pathophysiology of De Quervain’s Thyroiditis?
4 Phases:
Phase 1 (3-6 weeks) Hyperthyroidism and painful goitre
Phase 2 (1-3 weeks) Euthyroid - normal function
Phase 3 (weeks-months) Hypothyroidism
Phase 4 Thyroid structure and function return to normal
What is the typical presentation of De Quervain’s Thyroiditis?
Neck pain (may radiate to jaw/ears)
Difficulty eating
Tender firm enlarged thyroid + goitre
Fever
Palpitations - often secondary to thyrotoxicosis
What are the diagnostic investigations for De Quervain’s Thyroiditis?
Total T4
T3
T3 resin uptake
CRP elevated
Often follows viral infection
What is the treatment for De Quervain’s Thyroiditis?
Hyperthyroid Phase - NSAIDs and corticosteroids
Hypothyroid Phase - No Tx usually
Who is more likely to get hyperthyroidism?
Women
What is Hypothyroidism?
Inadequate output of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland.
What is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the developed world?
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland associated with anti-TPO antibodies and Anti thyroglobulin antibodies.
It initially causes a goitre when then leads to atrophy of the gland
What are the Transient causes of hypothyroidism?
Post partum Thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis
What is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the developing world?
Iodine deficiency
What are the main causes of hypothyroidism?
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (autoimmune)
Iodine deficiency
Secondary to Hyperthyroid treatment
Medications - lithium, Amiodarone
What are the main causes of Secondary Hypothyroidism?
Tumours
Infection
Vascular (Sheehan Syndrome)
Radiation
What is secondary hypothyroidism?
Where the pituitary gland is failing to produce enough TSH.
This is often associated with a lack of other pituitary hormones such as ACTH. This is called hypopituitarism
What is the presentation of Hypothyroidism?
(EVERYTHING SLOW)
Cold Intolerance
Weight gain
Fatigue
Dry skin
Coarse hair and hair loss
Fluid retention (oedema, pleural effusions, ascites)
Heavy or irregular periods
Constipation
What are the investigations to diagnose Hypothyroidism?
TSH and Thyroid hormone blood tests
TSH & T3/T4:
Primary Hypothyroidism:
TSH - High
T3/T4 - Low
Secondary Hypothyroidism:
TSH - Low
T3/T4 - Low
What is the management of Hypothyroidism?
Replacement of thyroid hormone - Levothyroxine
Dose is titrated until TSH becomes normal
How does Lithium medication cause Hypothyroidism?
Inhibits the production of thyroid hormones in the thyroid gland
Can cause a goitre and hypothyroidism
How does amiodarone lead to hypothyroidism?
Interferes with thyroid hormone production and metabolism.
Can lead to hypothyroidism.
Can also cause destruction of the thyroid leading to acute release of thyroid hormone and transient thyrotoxicosis
What is a key side effect of carbimazole?
Agranulocytosis
Presents as a sore throat
What is the main complication of Hypothyroidism?
Myxoedema coma - usually infection precipitated
Rapid loss of T4
Hypothermia, loss of consciousness, heart failure
What is the treatment for Myxoedema coma?
Levothyroxine
Hydrocortisone until adrenal insufficiency has been ruled out
What are the different types of Thyroid carcinoma?
Papillary - (70%) has Orphan Annie Eyes
Follicular (25%)
Medullary (5%) MEN-2 associated. Secretes Calcitonin
Anaplastic (1%) - worst prognosis
What are the Symptoms of Thyroid carcinoma?
Presents as Thyroid Nodules - hard and irregular
May have local compression on the recurrent laryngeal nerve - hoarse voice
What is the diagnosis for thyroid carcinoma?
Fine needle aspriation biopsy
TFTs
Thyroid ultrasound
Where are common metastasis sites for thyroid carcinoma?
LLBB
Lung
Liver
Bone
Brain
What is the treatment for Thyroid carcinoma?
Papillary / Follicular - Thyroidectomy / radioiodine
Anaplastic - palliative care
What is the bodies normal blood glucose concentration?
between 4.4-6.1 mmol/l
In the fasting state where does glucose come from?
Liver - breakdown of glycogen
-gluconeogenesis
In the fasting state, what are the levels of insulin?
Low - there is less glucose in the blood so insulin is low because it does not need to stimulate glucose storage
What do muscles use for fuel in the fasting state?
Free fatty acids
In the post prandial state what does the increase of glucose from a meal lead to?
Inhibition of glucagon secretion
Stimulation of insulin
Glucose is taken up by the liver (40%) and peripheral tissues (60%)
What does a high level of insulin and glucose promote?
Inhibition of lipolysis
reduced levels of free fatty acids
What is the site of insulin and glucagon secretion?
Islets of langerhans of the pancrease
Alpha cells - glucagon
Beta cells - Insulin
What is the paracrine function of insulin?
What is the effect of DM on this?
The release of insulin from beta cells acts on the alpha cells of the pancreas to inhibit further glucagon release.
In diabetes the insulin is lost and therefore you lose the alpha cell inhibition mechanism leading to excess glucagon and increased levels of glucose and free fatty acids in the blood.
Explain the process of insulin secretion?
Glucose is taken into the pancreas via GLUT2 transporters
Once in the pancreas glucose is metabolised by glucokinase which forms ATP
ATP then acts on the SUR1 potassium channels to close the K+ channels
This leads to depolarisation of the cell membrane and thus the opening of Ca channels
Calcium influx stimulates exocytosis of insulin secretory granules
Insulin is released
What is the action of insulin on the fat and muscle cells?
Stimulates the metabolism of GLUT4 channels to the cell membrane
Allows for the entry of glucose into the cell
increases peripheral uptake
What is the action of insulin?
Suppresses hepatic glucose output - Decrease glycogenolysis, Decrease gluconeogenesis.
Increase glucose uptake into insulin sensitive tissues - fat and muscle.
Suppresses lipolysis and muscle breakdown
What is the action of glucagon?
Increases hepatic glucose output - increase glycogenolysis, increased gluconeogenesis
Reduces peripheral glucose uptake - keeps glucose in the blood
stimulates peripheral release of gluconeogenic precursors - glycerol and amino acids, lipolysis, muscle glycogenolysis and breakdown.
What is ketogenesis under normal physiological circumstances?
Occurs when there is insufficient glucose supply and glycogen stores are exhausted (prolonged fasting)
There is lipolysis, liver converts FFAs to Ketones.
This are normally buffered by HCO3 from the kidneys preventing acidosis.
What happens in T1DM that leads to ketoacidosis?
Lack of insulin and therefore no peripheral uptake of glucose into fat and muscle cells
They believe they are starving - therefore undergo lipolysis and proteolysis.
Increased FFAs, and krebs is saturated (due to hyperglycaemia) so ketogenesis occurs.
Extreme hyperglycaemic ketosis occurs and the bicarbonate is used up.
Blood becomes acidic leading to ketoacidosis
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
A disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterised by hyperglycaemia
How does DM cause morbidity and mortality?
Acute hyperglycaemia if untreated leads to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic states (HHS)
Chronic hyperglycaemia leads to tissue complications (macro and microvascular)
Side effects of treatment - hypoglycaemia
What are the different types of diabetes Mellitus?
Type 1 DM - Insulin dependent
Type 2 DM - Insulin Independent - Maybe be gestational or medication induced)
MODY
Pancreatic diabetes
Endocrine diabetes - Acromegaly, Cushing’s
Malnutrition related diabetes
What is MODY?
Maturity onset diabetes of youth
What is the pathogenesis of T1DM?
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycaemia due to an absolute deficiency of insulin. This is caused by an autoimmune destruction of beta cells of the pancreas.
May have a genetic component, may be triggered by a certain event.
Type 4 hypersensitivity reaction
What mechanism of autoimmunity is responsible for T1DM?
Beta cells express HLA antigens ( HLA DR3 and HLA DR4) on MHC in response to an environmental event
Activates chronic cell mediated immune response leading to chronic insulitis
What are the Genes associated with T1DM?
HLA DR3
HLA DR4
What happens to insulin metabolism in T1DM and what is the consequence of this?
Loss of beta cells - Loss of insulin secretion
Leads to:
unrestricted hepatic glucose output:
Continued glycogenolysis in the liver + gluconeogenesis.
Impaired peripheral glucose uptake - cells believe they are starving and so need to obtain energy from:
Unrestricted lipolysis and skeletal muscle breakdown for gluconeogenesis
Increased Ketone Production leading to DKA
Glucose concentration rises lead to excretion of glucose in urine as renal reuptake routes are saturated (glycosuria). This also draws other essential electrolytes into the blood causing polyuria and polydipsia
What are the main consequences of DKA?
Ketoacidosis:
Can cause nausea and vomiting due to acidosis
Dehydration:
Hyperglycaemia overwhelms the kidneys - glucose is filtered into urine
Osmotic diuresis draws water into urine
Causes polyuria and polydipsia
Potassium Imbalance:
No insulin so K is not driven into cells. - Low cellular K but high/normal serum K
Total body K is low as there is no K stored in cells.
When insulin treatment is given this causes K influx into cells
Low serum K
Can lead to hypokalaemia and fatal arrhythmias.
What is the function of insulin in relation to Potassium ions?
Insulin increases the number of Na/K/ATPases present on cell membranes which leads to K influx into cells and removes K from circulation.
What are the risk factors for DKA?
Undiagnosed T1DM (potentially also T2DM)
Inadequate insulin / non-adherence to Insulin therapy
What are the signs/symptoms of DKA?
Polyuria
Polydipsia
Nausea and vomiting
Acetone smell to their breath
Kussmaul Respiration - Deep laboured breathing to reverse acidosis
Dehydration and subsequent hypotension
Altered Consciousness
They may have symptoms of an underlying trigger (i.e. sepsis)
How is DKA diagnosed?
Hyperglycaemia (i.e. blood glucose > 11 mmol/l)
Ketosis (i.e. blood ketones > 3 mmol/l)
Acidosis on VBG/ABG (i.e. pH < 7.3)
How is DKA Treated?
FIG-PICK: ABCs
F – Fluids – IV fluid resuscitation with normal saline
I – Insulin – Add an insulin infusion
G – Glucose – Closely monitor blood glucose and add a dextrose infusion if below a certain level
P – Potassium – Closely monitor serum potassium (e.g. 4 hourly) and correct as required
I – Infection – Treat underlying triggers such as infection
C – Chart fluid balance
K – Ketones – Monitor blood ketones
What is the Epidemiology of T1DM?
Younger onset (<30yrs)
Usually lean
North European
Associated with other Autoimmune Disorders
What is the Epidemiology of T2DM?
Onset older (>30 years).
Usually overweight.
More common in African/Asian.
More common in general.
What are the symptoms of T1DM?
2-6 week history of: (shorter history and more severe symptoms)
Polyuria
Polydipsia
Weight loss
Over longer periods of time may have:
Lethargy
eye problems
Neuropathy - glove/stocking
What are the first line investigations for Type I diabetes?
1st Line:
Random Blood Glucose - >11mmol/L
Fasting Blood Glucose - >7 mmol/L
For Borderline cases:
OGTT - >11mmol/L 2 hours after 75g oral glucose load
HbA1c - >48mmol/L
Ix to Consider:
C-peptide
Autoantibodies - Glutamic acid, insulin, islet cell
How is T1DM managed?
Patient education is essential:
- Monitoring dietary carbohydrate intake
- Monitoring blood sugar levels on waking, at each meal and before bed
- Monitoring for and managing complications, both short and long term
Insulin is prescribed.
How is insulin prescribed in T1DM?
1st Line: Basal-Bolus Regimen
- Log acting Insulin (levemir) + rapid acting insulin before meals (Humalog)
(Short acting insulin - 30mins prior to CHO intake)
Other:
Mixed insulin - Mix of short/rapid + intermediate given 2x daily
Continuous - If Px has disabling hypoglycaemia or persistent hyperglycaemia
What are some Complications of insulin therapy?
- Hypoglycaemia - most common (also caused by SULFONYLUREA - antidiabetic drug)
- Injection site - lipohypertrophy
- Insulin resistance - mild and associated with obesity
- Weight gain - insulin makes people feel hungry
What is lipodystrophy?
May occur when a patient injects insulin into the same spot causing the subcutaneous fat to harden.
This can lead to poorer absorption of insulin
What is a short term complication of treating diabetes with insulin?
Hypoglycaemia
Patients may inject insulin and become hypoglycaemic which can cause death.
What are the symptoms of hypoglycaemia?
PISTD
Pallor
Irritability
Sweating
Tremor
Dizziness
What can severe hypoglycaemia lead to?
Reduced consciousness
Coma
Death
Why is DKA less likely in T2DM?
When can it occur in T2DM?
Low levels of insulin are still produced
Low levels of insulin enough to prevent muscle catabolism and ketogenesis so muscle breakdown and ketone production rarely excessive
In chronic T2DM the beta cells may be destroyed and very little insulin is produced which can result in DKA.
What is the role of basal insulin in T1DM therapy?
Control glucose between meals and at night.
Adjusted to maintain fasting blood glucose between 5-7mmol/L
What is hypoglycaemia?
Low plasma glucose causing impaired brain function
What is the glucose value for hypoglycaemia?
<3.9 mmol/L
What is significant about the relationship between HbA1c levels and hypoglycaemic episodes?
Why does this mean that hypoglycaemia prevention mechanisms fail in DM?
The higher the HbA1c levels, the higher the glucose levels can be when the patient experiences a hypoglycaemic episode
In DM a patient will have higher HbA1c levels and therefore the threshold of the secretion of counter-regulatory hormones is lower
What are the risk factors for severe hypoglycaemia in a patient with T1DM?
- History of severe episodes
- HbA1c > 48 mmol/l (6.5%)
- Long duration of diabetes
- Renal impairment
- Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia
- Extremes of age
What are the risk factors for severe hypoglycaemia in a patient with T2DM?
- Advancing age
- Cognitive impairment
- Depression
- Aggressive treatment of glycaemia
- Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia
- Duration of multi dose insulin therapy
- Renal impairment and other comorbidities
What normally prevents hypoglycaemia?
- Counter-regulatory hormones
- Glucagon
- Adrenaline
What is the treatment of hypoglycaemia?
- Recognise symptoms
- Confirm the need for treatment with plasma glucose test
- Treat with 15g fast-acting carbohydrate to relieve symptoms (lucozade)
- Retest in 15 minutes to ensure blood glucose > 4 mmol/l and re-treat if needed
- Eat a long-acting carb to prevent recurrence of symptoms (toast, biscuit)
What is the pathophysiology of T2DM?
Repeated glucose and insulin exposure leads to cellular resistance to the effects of insulin.
Overtime the pancreas becomes fatigued and damaged from the over production of insulin leading to cell destruction (50% of beta cell loss)
Reduced insulin effects leads to hyperglycaemia
What is a common complication of uncontrolled T2DM?
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS)
What is HHS?
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State:
Profound Hyperglycaemia and Hyperosmolality in the absence of ketoacidosis
Occurs when the blood glucose levels go really high ( >33.3 mmol/l)
Results in a blood osmolality of >320 mOsm/kg
The hyperosmolar state draws water out of cells and into the blood
This leads to polyuria and severe dehydration
What is the pathogenesis of HSS?
Usually triggered by an infection:
- relative Lack of insulin coupled with a rise in counter regulatory Hormones (Cortisol, GH, glucagon)
- Leads to profound rise in glucose (but insulin is adequate to prevent DKA)
- Excessive glucose leads to osmotic diuresis as capacity for renal reabsorption is full. This also draws out other essential electrolytes.
- As water is lost there is dehydration and reduced circulating volume.
- Leading to hyperosmolarity with Hyperglycaemia
- This can cause hypovolaemia and cause AKI. Hyperosmolarity also increases viscosity of blood increase risk of thrombotic events.
What are some symptoms of HHS?
Polyuria
Extreme thirst
Dehydration - Can lead to neurological symptoms
Reduced GCS
Poor capillary refill
Hypotension
Tachycardia
What is the diagnosis of HHS?
History and physical exam
Blood tests and U&Es:
Severe hyperglycaemia
High blood osmolality
No/minimal urinary ketones
ABG - No acidosis
What is the treatment of HHS?
ABCs
IV Fluids
Electrolyte Replacement
IV Insulin
What are the consequences of chronic hyperglycaemia as seen in T1DM and T2DM?
Microvascular
Macrovascular
Infection complications.
What are the non-modifiable risk factors for T2DM?
Older age
Male
Ethnicity (Black, Chinese, South Asian)
Family history
What are the modifiable risk factors for T2DM?
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyles
High carbohydrate (particularly refined carbohydrate) diet
How does T2DM present?
Fatigue
Polydipsia and polyuria (thirsty and urinating a lot)
Unintentional weight loss
Opportunistic infections
Slow healing
Glucose in urine (on dipstick)
How is T2DM Diagnosed?
1st Line:
Random Blood Glucose - >11mmol/L
Fasting Blood Glucose - >7 mmol/L
For Borderline cases:
OGTT - >11mmol/L 2 hours after 75g oral glucose load
HbA1c - >48mmol/L
Ix to Consider:
Fasting Lipids
U&Es - if suggestive signs of Diabetic Nephropathy
What is the oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)?
performed in the morning prior to having breakfast.
It involves taking a baseline fasting plasma glucose
giving a 75g glucose drink
measuring plasma glucose 2 hours later.
If >11mmol/L then Diabetes
It tests the ability of the body to cope with a carbohydrate meal.
What is pre diabetes?
The body struggles to get their blood glucose levels in to normal range, even after a prolonged period without eating carbohydrates.
But glucose levels are not high enough to be diagnosed with DM
What are the results of a pre diabetes diagnosis?
HbA1c – 42-47 mmol/mol
Fasting plasma glucose 6.1 – 6.9 mmol/l
OGTT - plasma glucose at 2 hours 7.8 – 11.1 mmol/l on an OGTT
What are the blood results for a diabetes diagnosis?
HbA1c > 48 mmol/mol
Random Glucose > 11 mmol/l
Fasting Glucose > 7 mmol/l
OGTT 2 hour result > 11 mmol/l
What is the Lifestyle management of T2DM?
Patient education about condition and their lifestyle
Dietary modification
Exercise and weight loss
Smoking Cessation
Monitor for DM complications
What is the first line medication for T2DM treatment?
Metformin (biguanide) to keep HbA1C <48mmol/mol
Increases insulin sensitivity and decreases liver production of glucose
Does not alter weight
What is the second line medication for T2DM treatment?
If HbA1c rises above 58 mmol/mol Dual therapy of Metformin + one of:
Sulfonylurea
Pioglitazone
DPP4 inhibitor
SGLT2 inhibitor
GLP-1 analogues
What is the third line medication for T2DM treatment?
If HbA1c still >58 mmol/mol on dual therapy then:
Triple Therapy - Metformin + 2 of the second line medications
OR
Metformin + insulin
When should SGLT2 and GLP-1 inhibitors be used in T2DM treatment?
Preferentially in patients with CVD
What is the mechanism of action of Metformin?
Increases insulin sensitivity and decreases liver production of glucose
What are the notable side effects of Metformin?
Diarrhoea and abdominal pain - dose dependent
Lactic acidosis
Does NOT typically cause hypoglycaemia
What is the mechanism of action of Pioglitazone?
A Thiazolidinedione
Increases insulin sensitivity and decreases liver production of glucose
What are the notable side effects of Pioglitazone?
Weight gain
Fluid retention
Anaemia
Heart failure
Extended use may increase the risk of bladder cancer
Does NOT typically cause hypoglycaemia
What is the mechanism of action of Sulfonylurea and give an example?
Gliclazide
Stimulate insulin release from the pancreas
What are the notable side effects of Sulfonylureas?
Weight gain
Hypoglycaemia
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction when used as monotherapy