Endocrinology Flashcards
What is raised in Cushing’s syndrome?
Glucocorticoids
Name 2 types of corticsteroid hormone and an example of each
Glucocorticoid (cortisol)
Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
How might a pituitary adenoma increase cortisol levels?
Pituitary ^ACTH secretion, stimulating XS cortisol release from the adrenal glands
How does Cushing’s disease differ from Cusihng’s syndrome?
Cushing’s disease is caused specifically by a pituitary adenoma
Cushing’s syndrome is just the symptoms and may have many causes
Name 5 metabolic effects of Cushing’s disease
HTN
Cardiac hyptertrophy
T2DM
Dyslipidaemia
Osteoporosis
What is raised in dyslipidaemia?
Cholesterol
Triglycerides
What are the causes of Cushing’s Syndrome?
CAPE
Cushing’s disease (pituitary adenoma)
Adrenal adenoma
Paraneoplastic syndrome
Exogenous steroids
What is the most common paraneoplastic syndrome causing Cushing’s syndrome?
Small cell lung cancer
What are the 5 types of functioning pituitary tumour?
Prolactinoma
Cushing’s disease (ACTH)
Acromegaly (GH)
TSH-oma
Gonadotrophinoma (LH/FSH
What 2 tests might be used to diagnose Cushing’s disease?
Dexamethasone suppression test
24-hour urinary free cortisol
What are the 3 types of dexamethasone suppression test?
Low-dose overnight
Low-dose 48 hour
High-dose 48 hour
What is Nelson’s syndrome?
Development of an ACTH-producing pituitary tumour after the surgical removal of both adrenal glands due to a lack of cortisol and negative feedback
Where is GH produced?
Anterior pituitary gland
What are the 3 methods of investigation used in Acromegaly?
IGF-1 on blood
GH supprssion test
MRI pituitary
What are the aims of management of Acromegaly?
To achieve normal levels of IGF-1 and random GH< 1 microg/L
What medical options are available for managing Acromegaly?
Pegvisomant (GHR antagonist)
Somatostatin analogues (block GH release)
Dopamine agonists (block GH release)
Name an example of a Somatostatin analogue
Octreotide
Name an example of a Dopamine agonist
Bromocriptine
How do you investigate a prolactinoma?
MRI pituitary
How do you manage prolactinoma?
Dopamine agonits
may need to excise it
Name 4 causes of hypopituitarism
Large pituitary adenoma
Iatrogenic
Sheehan’s syndrome
Periartum pituitary necrosis (DM)
What is Sheehan’s syndrome?
post-partum pituitary infarction
Why is hyperthyroidism?
Over-production of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland
What is thyrotoxicosis?
Efects of abnormal and XS thyroid hormones
What organs my be dysfunctional in Secondary hyperthyroidism?
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
What is subclinical hyperthyroidism?
T3 and T4 normal, TSH suppressed
What is Grave’s disease?
AI condition
TSHR Abs cause primary hyperthyroidism
What is Plummer’s disease?
Toxic multinodular goitre, producing XS thyroid hormones
What is pretibial myxoedema?
Who gets it?
Glycosaminoglycan deposits as a reaction to TSHR Abs
Grave’s disease
What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?
GIST
Grave’s
Inflammation (thyroiditis)
Solitary toxic thyroid nodule
Toxic multinodular goitre
What are the phases of thyroiditis?
Initial hyperthyroidism
Then hypothyroidism
What are the causes of thyroiditis?
De Quervain’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Postpartum thyroiditis
Drug-induced thyroiditis
What features are specific to Grave’s disease?
Diffuse goitre
Exophthalmos
Pretibial myxoedema
Thyroid acropachy
Who is at risk of post-partum thyroiditis?
Associated with T1DM
How long post-partum might someone develop post-partum thyroiditis for?
12 months
How do you grade toxic multinodular goitre?
1 - only palpable
2 - palpable + just visible
3 - clearly visible
What are the 2 main physiologicla features of thyrotoxicosis?
^ metabolic rate
^ sympathetic drive
What is thyroid storm?
How might it present?
Really severe thyrotoxicosis
Fever, ^HR, delirium
How might you manage a thyroid storm?
Fluids
Anti-arrhythmics
BBs
What is the 1st line anti-thyroid drug?
How long is it taken for?
Carbimazole
12-18 months
What are the 3 main risks associated with Carbimazole?
Can you give a bonus one?
Agranulocytosis
Hepatotoxicity
Teratogenicity
Acute pancreatitis
What is the 2nd line anti-thyroid drug?
Why is it 2nd and not 1st line?
Propylthiouracil
Small risk of severe liver reactions, including death
What problem is associated with Radioactive iodine therapy?
Remission can take 6 months
May be hypothyroid for a while after and require levothyroxine therapy
What BBs might you use for hyperthyroidism?
NSBBs like propranolol
What are the 2 most common causes of primary hypothyroidism?
Hashimoto’s - deveoped worls
Iodine deficiency - developing world
What Abs are associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
anti-TPO Abs
anti-Tg Abs
Which drugs might cause primary hypothyroidism?
Hyper - treatments (carbimazole, propylthiouracil, iodine therapy, surgery)
LIthium
Amiodarone (contains iodine)
How might lithium cause hypothyroidism?
Inhibits production of thyroid hormones
How might amiodarone cause hypothyroidism?
Interferes with thyroid hormone production and metabolism
How might you differentiate primary and secondary hypothyroidism?
1 - ^TSH
2 - low TSH
What is the core treatment of hypothyroidism?
Oral levothyroxine
(synthetic T4, metabolises to T3 in the body)
How often (initially) is levothyroxine titrated?
Every 4 weeks based on TSH level
What 2 drugs may interact with levothyroxine?
Questran
Warfarin
What is Addison’s disease?
Which hormones are affected?
Primary adrenal insufficiency
Reduced cortisol and aldosterone
What is secondary adrenal insufficiency?
What is tertiary adrenal insufficiency?
2 - low ACTH release from pituitary gland
3 - Low CRH release by hypothalamus
Who tends to get tertiary adrenal insufficiency?
Those on long term oral steroids (>3 weeks), suppressing the hypothalamus by negative feedback
What are the 2 main signs of adrenal insufficiency?
Bronze hyperpigmentation
Hypotension (particularly postural)