Endocrinology Flashcards
What are 6 causes of SIADH?
- Idiopathic (most common)
- Drugs
- CNS disease - tumour, trauma, infection, CVA, MS
- Pulmonary disease - tumour, pneumonia, COPD, abscess, TB
- Carcinoma - lung, pancreas, thymoma
- Surgery - postop
What are 12 drug causes of SIADH?
- carbamazepine
- NSAIDs
- vasopressin
- chlorpropramide
- nicotine
- diuretics
- tricyclic antidepressants
- SSRIs
- vincristine
- cyclophosphamide
- thioridazine
- clofibrate
What is the management of a patient with Addison’s who is vomiting and unable to take oral hydrocortisone/fludrocortisone?
but systemically well
Take IM hydrocortisone (if unwell with systemic symptoms - admit for IVF/IV hydrocort)
What is the commonest cause of thyrotoxicosis?
Graves’ disease
What conditions are associated with anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase) antibodies?
- Hashimoto’s thyroid it is (90%)
- Graves’ disease (75%)
Which 2 types of autoantibodies are seen in Graves’ disease?
- TSH-stimulating receptor antibodies (90%)
- anti TPO (75%)
What is seen in thyroid scintigraphy in Graves’ disease?
Diffuse homogenous increased uptake of radioactive iodine
What is seen in thyroid scintigraphy in Graves’ disease?
Diffuse homogenous increased uptake of radioactive iodine
What is the definition of precocious puberty?
development of secondary sexual characteristics before 8 years in females and 9 in males
What is thelarche?
first stage of breast developemtn
What is adrenarche?
the first stage in pubic hair development
What are 2 groups that all causes of precocious puberty may be classified into?
- Gonadotrophin dependent (central/ true) - premature activiation of HPGA, FSH and LH raised
- Gonadotrophin independent (pseudo/false) - due to excess sex hormones, FSH and LH low
What key feature can help distinguish the cause of precocious puberty in males?
testicular size
* bilateral enlargement - gonadotrophin release from intracranial lesion e.g. astrocytoma
* unilateral enlargement - gonadal tumour e.g. sex cord-gonadal stromal tumour
* small testes - adrenal cause (tumour or adrenal hyperplasia)
What is most commonly the cause of precocious puberty in females?
idiopathic / familial
What features are associated with female precocious puberty and what is an example?
rapid onset, neurological symptoms/signs
e.g. McCune Albright syndrome
What are 4 things that can cause a lower-than-expected HbA1c?
- sickle cell anaemia
- G6PD deficiency
- hereditary spherocytosis
- haemodialysis
(reduce red blood cell lifespan, most glycosylation in days 90-120)
What are 3 conditions that can lead to a higher-than-expected HbA1c?
- vitamin B12 / folic acid deficiency
- iron deficiency anaemia
- splenectomy
(increase red blood cell lifespan)
What is the new internationally standardised method for reporting HbA1c that has been developed?
IFCC-HbA1c (mmol/mol)
What may be a suitable alternative to HbA1c in conditions that increase/shorten the lifespan of RBCs?
fructosamine - reflects glycaemic control over 2-3 weeks
What is the management of subclinical hypothyroidism (raised TSH 5.5-10, normal T4)?
offer patients <65 years a 6 month trial of thyroxine IF thyroxine remains that level on 2 separate occasions, 3 months apart, AND symptomatic
What are 8 situations when HbA1c shouldn’t be used to diagnose diabetes mellitus?
- children and young people <18y
- pregnant / 2 months postpartum
- symptoms of diabetes <2 months
- acutely ill
- medication causing hyperglycaemia e.g. steroids
- acute pancreatic damage / surgery
- ESRD
- HIV
What is the risk of subclinical hypothyroidism progressing to overt hypothyroidism and what increases the risk?
2-5% per year; increased by presence of thyroid autoantibodies
What is the guidance for subclinical hypothyroidism if TSH is >10 and T4 is normal?
consider offering levothyroxine if TSH >10 on 2 separate occasions, 3 months apart
In patients >80 years with subclinical hypothyroidism what is the recommended management?
watch and wait
Which 2 alleles are risk factors for T1DM?
HLA-DR3 or DR4
What is the starting dose for levothyroxine?
In healthy young patients start at 50-100mcg; >50y start at 25mcg
When should TFTs be tested after starting levothyroxine?
8-12weeks
What’s the target for levothyroxine therapy in hypothyroidism?
Aiming for low end of normal TSH as most people in the low end - 0.5-2.5 (whole range of normal 0.5-5.5)
What are 4 adverse effects of levothyroxine?
- Hyperthyroidism
- Worsening angina
- Reduced bone mineral density
- AF
What is first line line treatment for T2DM if metformin (inc MR) is not tolerated in
a) normal QRISK
b) QRISK >10
a) sulphonylurea or glitazone or DPP4 inhibitor (gliptin)
b) SGLT2i
What are the 3 NICE criteria, 1 of which must be met for SGLT2i to be added to metformin?
- High risk of CVD E.g. QRISK >10%
- Established CVD
- Chronic heart failure
What should be done before SGLT2i is added to metformin?
metformin should be established and titrated up
What should HbA1c rise to before adjusting T2DM medication?
58
When should a GLP1 mimetic be considered for T2DM?
If triple therapy not effective AND:
- BMI > 35 and specific psych or other medical problems associated with obesity OR
- BMI <35 and insulin CI (E.g. occupation) or weight loss would benefit other comorbidities
What criteria must be met to continue on a GLP1 inhibitor?
Reduction of HbA1c by 11 and Wright loss 3% body weight in 6 months
What is the first line antihypertensive in T2DM?
ACEi (ARB if Afro-Caribbean)
When is IV treatment with calcium gluconate indicated in hypocalcaemia?
Severe hypocalcaemia:
- QT prolongation
- carpopedal spasms
- tetany
- seizures
What is the definition of DKA?
positive serum ketones, arterial blood pH <7.30 +- serum bicarb <15
What are 4 hormones that are increased in DKA? What is the ultimate effect?
Counter-regulatory hormones
1. glucagon
2. cortisol
3. growth hormone
4. adrenaline
Effect: enhances hepatic gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, lipolysis
If not using HbA1c, is a patient is symptomatic what are 2 possible diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes mellitus?
- fasting glucose greater than or equal to 7.0
- random glucose greater than or equal to 11.1
What is the criteria for diagnosing T2DM (not using HbA1c) if the patient is asymptomatic?
- fasting glucose greater than or equal to 7.0
- random glucose greater than or equal to 11.1
demonstrated on 2 separate occasions
How is HbA1c used to diagnose diabetes?
HbA1c >48 diagnostic; <48 doesn’t exclude DM
if asymptomatic, must be repeated
What is the definition of impaired fasting glucose?
fasting glucose 6.1-7.0
What is the definition of impaired glucose tolerance?
fasting plasma glucose <7.0 and OGTT 2-hour value 7.8 to 11.1
What does Diabetes UK suggest for the management of impaired fasting glucose?
oral glucose tolerance test to rule out diagnosis of diabetes; result <11.1 but >7.9 indicates IGT but not diabetes
What is the best test for response to levothyroxine therapy?
TSH
What is Addison’s disease?
commonest cause of primary hypoadrenalism in UK - autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands, results in less cortisol and aldosterone production
What are 5 key features of Addison’s disease?
- hyperpigmentation
- hypotension
- hypoglycaemia
- hyponatraemia
- hyperkalaemia
In addition to Addison’s disease what are 5 other causes of primary hypoadrenalism?
- TB
- mets e.g. bronchial carcinoma
- meningococcal sepsis (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome)
- HIV
- antiphospholipid syndrome
What are 2 things that can cause secondary hypoadrenalism?
- pituitary disorders e.g. tumours, irradiation, infiltration
- exogenous glucocorticoid therapy
What can distinguish primary Addison’s and secondary adrenal insufficiency?
primary Addison’s is associated with hyperpigmentation whereas secondary is not
What is often a trigger for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis (subacute thyroiditis)?
Viral infection
What are the 4 typical phases of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
- Phase I (3-6 weeks): hyperthyroid, painful goitre, raised ESR
- Phase II (1-3 weeks): euthyroid
- Phase III (weeks-months): hypothyroidism
- Phase IV: thyroid structure and function back to normal
What is the key investigation for de Quervain’s thyroiditis and what does it show?
Thyroid scintigraphy - globally reduced uptake of iodine 131
What is the management of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
- Usually self limiting and doesn’t require treatment
- thyroid pain may respond to aspirin / NSAIDS
- steroids if severe
What is the presentation of a branchial cyst?
Oval, mobile cystic mass between SCM and pharynx, present early adulthood. Due to failure of obliteration of 2nd branchial cleft in embryonic development
What is a cystic hygroma?
Fluctuant lump L side of neck, presents at birth or <2 years due to congenital lymphatic lesion (lymphangioma)
What are the key features of a thyroglossal cyst?
< 20 years old, midline, between isthmus of thyroid and hyoid bone, moves up with protrusion of tongue
What are 3 types of amiodarone-induced thyroid disease?
- Hypothyroidism - high iodine content causing Wolff Chaikoff effect (thyroxine level inhibited due to high circulating iodide)
- Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis type 1 - excess iodine induced thyroid synthesis
- AIT type 2 - Amiodarone-related destructive thyroiditis
Which type of amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis is associated with goitre?
AIT type 1 - excess iodine induced thyroid hormone synthesis
What is the treatment of AIT type 1?
Carbimazole or potassium perchlorate
What is the treatment of AIT type 2?
Corticosteroids
What are 4 key features of primary hyperaldosteronism?
- hypertension
- hypokalaemia
- hypernatraemia
- metabolic acidosis
What is the commonest cause of primary hyperaldosteronism?
bilateral idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia
In addition to bilateral idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia, what are 4 other causes of primary hyperaldosteronism?
- Conn’s syndrome - due to adrenal adenoma
- Unilateral hyperplasia
- Familial hyperaldosteronism
- Adrenal carcinoma
What is the first-line investigation in suspected primary hyperaldosteronism and what will it show?
- plasma aldosterone/renin ratio
- high aldosterone levels, low renin levels (negative feedback due to sodium retention from aldosterone)
What is the next step if serum renin/aldosterone ratio is measured and is suggestive of primary hyperaldosteronsim?
- high-resolution CT abdomen & adrenal vein sampling - to differentiate between unilateral and bilateral sources of aldosterone excess
- if CT normal, adrenal venous samplling (AVS) can distinguish between unilateral adenoma + bilateral hyperplasia
What are the management options for primary hyperaldosteronism?
- surgery (laproscopic adrenalectomy) - if adrenal adenoma
- aldosterone antagonist e.g. spironolactone - if bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia
What is the definitive investigation in Addison’s disease and how is it performed?
- Short synacthen test (ACTH stimulation test) - plasma cortisol measured before and 30 min after giving synacthen 250ug IM.
- Adrenal autoantibodies such as anti-32-hydroxylase may also be demonstrated