Endocrinology Flashcards
46XX disorders of sexual development
masculinisation external genotypic female from androgen exposure wk 8-13 gestation
1. P450 def (21 hydroxylase)
2. 3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase def
3. P450 def (11 hydroxylase)
4. Mixed gonadal dysgenesis 46XY/45X
46XY disorders of sexual development
Inadequate masculinisation in male
- P450 def
- 3b hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase def
- Dysgenetic tests
- Complete/partial androgen insensitivity
- 5a reductase deficiency
5 alpha reductase deficiency
46XY DSD
Converts testosterone to DHT
DHT 20X potency
Clinical: ambiguous genitalia, external feminization, internal male, virilization at puberty, minimal pubic hair
Investigations: high testosterone, no DHT
Diagnosis: HCG stimulation test
Acquired goitre
Usually sporadic
Usually euthyroid
Causes: subacute thyroiditis, iodide goiter, amiodarone, lithium
ACTH Synacthen test
use: to check adrenal insufficiency
method: administer ACTH and check cortisol response
diagnostic:
- primary (Adrenal) cause: no change in cortisol after ACTH
- secondary (Pituitary) cause: cortisol will increase after ACTH
2 types: short and long synacthen tests
- short: inject IM ACTH and measure cortisol at 0, 30mins and 60mins post
- long: uncommonly used. ACTH IV over 8hrs
Addison’s Disease
pathogenesis: AI destruction adrenal cortex
primary adrenal insufficiency: absent mineralocorticoid/glucocorticoid
- hyperpigmentation, high potassium/renin
- low BP/glucose/sodium
- anorexia, weakness, shock, amenorrhoea, arthralgia, poor mood, vitiligo
secondary adrenal insuff: no hyperpigmentation/hydration, hypoglycaemia more common
hyperpigmentation: due to pro-hormone cleaved into ACTH and melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)
investigations: low cortisol
associations: Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes APS I and APS II
treatment: hydrocortisone/fludrocortisone

Anatomy

Adrenal deficiency
- aldosterone
symptoms: salt craving, vomiting, hypotension, shock, FTT, diarrhoea, weakness
electrolyes: hyponatraemia (salt wasting), hyperkalaemia, acidosis
Congenital adrenal hypoplasia/adrenal haemorrhage
all adrenal steroids LOW
Adrenal insufficiency
- Cortisol
clinical:
- hypoglycaemia
- poor stress response
- vasomotor collapse
- hyperpigmentation
- apneic episodes
- muscle weakness/fatigue
Adrenocortical tumours
Most benign and secrete nothing
1. Adenomas
- most commonly cortisol but also aldosterone
- androgen secreting adrenal tumours secrete testosterone usually malignant
2. Carcinomas
- rare, usually malignant
- 50% present with Cushing’s, 25% Cushing’s and virilization
Aldosterone
class: mineralocorticoid hormone
source: secreted zona glomerulosa
action: Na/Cl reabsorption in DT/CD and excretion K/H
control: via RAS, ACTH enhances production, Plasma K/H
increase: High K/Low Na, Loss of ECF, anxiety, primary hyperaldosterone (Conn’s syndrome), secondary hyperaldosterone, RAS, constriction of IVC
decrease: Elevated Na, adrenalectomy
investigations:
- ?HIGH: 24hr urine collection
- ?LOW: early AM cortisol

Androgen insensitivity
46 XY
normal feminization, absense of pubic hair, primary amenorrhoea
all mullerian structures lacking and intraabdominal testes
Androgen insensitivity syndrome
incidence: 1:20,000 (most common form of male DSD)
karyotype: 46XY
mechanism: X linked mutation androgen receptor gene
clinical: female external genitalia, blind ended vagina, no uterua
- no pubic hair, no menarche, male height
investigations: high LH/FSH/oestradiol
Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type 1
TRIAD
1. polyendocrinopathy
- 90% hypoPTH before 3 yrs
- 90% AI adrenal insufficiency by 6 yrs
2. chronic candidiasis
3. ectodermal dystrophy
(30% have all 3 symptoms)
other: immune def (Ecoli sepsis), DM1, hypogonadism, pernicious anaemia, vitiligo
clinical: 1st candidiasis, 2nd hypoparathyroidism, 3rd addison’s disease
Insulin therapy goal BGLs
<5yrs: 4.5-10mmol/L
5-10yrs: 4.5-8.5mmol/L
>10yr: 4-7mmol/L
Biguanide
drug: metformin
mechanism:
- reduced hepatic glucose production
- increased peripheral glucose utilisation
risks: NO risk hypoglycaemia, lactic acidosis (0.03/1000)
Bound hormones
thyroid: albumin, TBG (most), thyretin
aldosterone: weak binding to albumin (1/2 life 20 mins)
testosterone/oestrogen: SHBG (44%), albumin (54%)
- SHBG binding: strongest dihydrotestosterone>testosterone>oestrogen
cortisol: transcortin
CAH
11-hydroxylase deficiency
incidence: 1/100,000, 2nd commonest CAH (5%)
genetics: CYP11B1 gene Ch 8
pathogenesis: deficieny 11-hydroxylase enzyme prevents degradation 11-deoxycortisol/11-deoxycorticosterone
- normal aldosterone
clinical: virilization with salt retention, hypokalaemia, HTN (65%)
diagnosis: high 11-deoxycortisol/deoxycorticosterone, low renin
treatment: glucocorticoids

CAH
21- hydroxylase deficiency
incidence: 1/15,000, 90% CAH
- non classical 1/1000 (normal aldosterone/cortisol)
genetics: ch 6, genes CYP21P/CYP21
pathophysiology: 21-hydroxylase deficiency impairs conversion 17-hydroxyprogesterone to 11-deoxycortisol causing aldosterone/cortisol deficiency
- salt losing 75% form also progesterone to deoxycorticosterone
- decreased cortisol causes increased ACTH and increased androgen production
clinical:
- onset 10-14 days
- virilization female genitalia/male no external
- salt wasting assoc shock/dehydration: hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia, met acidosis, hypoglycaemia
diagnosis: ACTH stimulation test
- high 17-OHP/ACTH/renin/testosterone, low cortisol/aldosterone
treatment: hydrocortisone/fludrocortisone

CAH
3 beta hydroxysteroid deficiency
incidence: 2% CAH
pathogenesis: impaired gonadal and steroid hormone synthesis and excess DHEA
clinical: salt wasting crisis, males hypogonadism, girls mildy virilised, precocious adrenarche
investigations: low cortisol/aldosterone/androstenedione, high DHEA
treatment: glucocorticoids/mineralocorticoids

DKA cerebral oedema
incidence: 1-5% 6-12hr post commencing tx
mortality: 20-80%
cause: osmolar shift
risk factors: higher BUN conc, low pCO2, Na not increasing with tx, treatment with bicarb
treatment: IV mannitol
Constitutional growth delay
variation of normal growth
pubertal delay 1.5-2yrs
delayed bone age
growth rate at lower limit of normal
history of family member
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
definition: chronic candida nails, mucosa, skin
cause: primary defect lymphocytes to candida
causes:
Autoimmune regulator deficiency (AIRE)
- gene: AR Ch21q22.3
- onset: 2 months-18 years
TRIAD
- mucocutaneous candidiasis
- hypoparathyroidism (most common assoc endocrinopathy)
- adrenal insufficiency (2nd most common endocrinopathy)
Autosomal dominant chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
gene: defect STAT 1
1. mucocutaenous candidiasis
2. ONLY endocrinopathy is HYPOTHYROIDISM










