Endocrinology Flashcards
What will you cause if you prescribe your patient too much hydrocortisone?
Cushing’s syndrome
Which layer of the adrenal cortex synthesises aldosterone?
Glomerulosa
Which half of the pituitary has a vascular link to the hypothalamus?
Anterior
What class of drug is propylthiouracil?
Thioamine
Which hormone mediates the effects of growth hormone?
IGFs
Which cells does cortisol act on?
Nearly every cell in the body
What causes cretinism?
Insufficient maternal iodine during pregnancy
What effect does long term treatment with cortisol have on ACTH?
Decreases it
What is another name for somatomedins?
IGFs
If someone is hot all the time, what is their likely thyroid state?
Hyperthyroid
Where is the only place in the body that adrenaline is synthesised?
Adrenal medulla
What happens to TSH levels in primary hyperthyroidism?
Decreased
How are thyroid hormones transported in the blood?
Bound to thyroid binding globulins (TBG)
Which organs primarily make oestrogen and progesterone?
Ovaries and placenta
What happens to TSH levels in secondary hypothyroidism?
Decreases because of pituitary or hypothalamic damage
What is the active ingredient in betadine?
Iodine
What happens to TRH levels in Grave’s disease?
Decreased
Which classes of hormones are lipophilic?
Steroids and thyroid hormones
Aldosterone increases excretion of which ion?
Potassium
What effect does T3 have on the sympathetic nervous system?
Sympathomimetic
Which amino acid are amine hormones derived from?
Tyrosine
Which inflammatory enzymes do glucocorticosteroids suppress the synthesis of?
PLA-2, iNOS and COX-2
Which gland releases insulin like growth factor?
Liver
What effect does cortisol have on the immune system?
Supresses it
Which hormone inhibits release of growth hormone?
Somatostatin
Name 3 visual signs on the body (not face) of someone with Cushing’s syndrome
Striae (stretch marks). Fat pads behind neck. Abdominal adiposity.
What are three complications of treatment with thioamines?
Goitre, hepatotoxicity and agranulocytosis
When do cortisol levels peak?
Morning
Which hormones does the adrenal medulla release?
Adrenaline and noradrenaline
What causes gigantism?
Overproduction of growth hormone before puberty
Which class of drugs can be used to treat hyperthyroidism?
Thioamines
What are the 2 gonadotropins?
LH and FSH
Which foods are particularly naturally rich in iodine?
Sea fish, crustaceans and kelp
How is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis managed?
Thyroxine
What is the RDI for iodine?
150 ug
Give a 4-word definition of Cushing’s disease
Pituitary adenoma causing hypercortisolism
Which thyroid hormone is released in greater amounts?
T4
What happens to TSH levels in primary hypothyroidism?
Increases
Which hormones are released from the posterior pituitary?
ADH and oxytocin
Which hormone stimulates release of ACTH?
Corticotropin releasing hormone
What is the autoimmune condition in which stimulatory autoantibodies cause increased secretion of thyroxine?
Grave’s disease
Which hormones are decreased in Addison’s disease?
Aldosterone and cortisol
Which hormone does growth hormone stimulate?
Insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
Which challenge test can be used for assessing adrenal gland function?
Dexamethasone suppression test
What effect does aldosterone have on sodium?
Increases sodium reabsorption
What effect will aldosterone deficiency have on potassium?
Increase in plasma [K+]
What will happen if you have too much iodine?
Goitre
List 4 main functions of glucocorticoids
Stimulate gluconeogenesis in liver. Mobilise amino acids from muscle. Stimulate lipolysis from adipose tissue. Immunosupression
Which organ does prolactin act on?
Breast
What is the pathway for thyroxine release?
TRH => TSH => T4
What may be the result of severe lack of maternal iodine during pregnancy?
Cretinism
What is cortisone?
A metabolite of cortisol that is almost biologically inactive
What is pheochromocytoma?
Tumour of adrenal medulla causing hypersecretion of catecholamines
What is hydrocortisone?
Cortisol
Which hormones can increase the release of growth hormone?
Ghrelin and growth hormone release hormone
What happens to TSH levels in Grave’s disease?
Decreased
What connects the pituitary to the hypothalamus?
Infundibulum
Give a 1-word definition of Cushing’s syndrome
Hypercortisolism
Which layer of the adrenal cortex produces sex steroids?
Reticularis
What happens to T4 levels in Grave’s disease?
Elevated