Endocrinology Flashcards
What are the symptoms of acromegaly?
- Growth of bones of the hands, feet and lower jaw
- Protrusion of the forehead
- Soft tissue swelling in hands, feet, face and tongue
- Increased size of organs
- Excessive sweating
This can lead to additional health probelms:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (soft tissue swelling)
- Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetogenic effects of GH)
- Congestive cardiac failure (cardiomyopathy)
- Gastrointestinal Cancers (colon polyps)
Describe the diagnosis of acromegaly.
IGF-1 testing:
- Elevated in acromegaly
- First-line
- Should then be followed up by the tests below
OGTT:
- Usually a high dose of glucose would decrease the levels of GH in the blood.
- In acromegaly, there is a paradoxical rise in GH after glucose administration
MRI pituitary:
- Would show the pituitary adenoma (responsible for 95% of cases)
Summarise the treamtent of acromegaly.
Surgery (transphenoidal adenectomy) is the mainstay of treatment. In those that are not suitable for surgery, or whilst waiting for surgery:
- Somatostatin analogues e.g. ocreotide
- GH receptor antagonist eg. pegsivomant
- Radiotherapy
What are the cardivascular complications of acromegaly?
- Congestive cardiac failure
- Hypertension
- Arrhythmia
- Valvular disease
- Hypertrophy
What is the HbA1c range for prediabetes and diabetes?
Prediabetes: 42-47 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%)
Diabetes: ≥48 mmol/mol (>6.5%)
How do you handle the hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone replacements in a patient with Addison’s during acute illness?
Double hydrocortisone, keep fludrocortisone the same dose.
What are the neoplasm part of MEN-1?
The 3 P’s:
- Parathyroid
- Pituitary
- Pancreatic: insulinomas and gastrinomas
What are the neoplasm part of MEN-2a?
Medullary Thyroid Cancer
2P’s:
- Parathyroid
- Phaeochromocytoma
What are the neoplasm part of MEN-2b?
Medullary Thyroid Cancer
1 P:
- Phaeochromocytoma
Also: Marfanoid body habitus + Neuromas
At what time of the day should the urine sample for the albumin:creatinine ratio be collected as part of the annual diabetic screen?
Early mornign.
This is so as to reduce the impact of factors such as hydration status and physical activity on the results.
What are drugs that can be used to treat hyperthyroidism?
Carbimazole and propylthiouracil can be used to treat hyperthyroidism.
Radioactive iodine is a more permanent option, and also first-line for toxic nodular goitre.
Name some causes for SIADH.
In SIADH there is increased water retention due to increase in AQP-2 channels by ADH secretion. Causes for increased ADH secretionare:
Malignant:
- Small cell lung cancer
- (Pancreas, prostate)
Neurological:
- Stroke
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage, subdural haemorrhage
- Meningitis, encephalitis, abscess
Infections:
- Pneumonia
Drugs:
- Psychiatric: SSRIs, tricyclics
- Carbamezapine
Other:
- PEEP
- Porphyrias
What electrolyte abnormality is seen with SIADH?
Hyponatraemia
Describe the Corticosteroids in terms of their glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects.
What is the management of subclinical hypothyroidism?
subclinical hypothyroidism is when the TSH is raised but T3 and T4 are normal.
The managment if symptomatic and TSH 4-10 is:
- < 65 years: trial for levothyroxine. If no improvement of symptoms, stop.
- >80 years: watch and wait
If asymptomatic, observe and repeat TFT in 6 months.
If TSH >10 regardless of symptoms:
- < 70 years: levothyroxine.
- >80 years: watch and wait
What is the main element of treatment for rhabdomyolysis?
- IV fluids (normal saline) to encourage good renal output
- Urinary alkalinisation is sometimes used
Which medications can cause hyperkalaemia?
- Potassium sparing diuretics (Sporinolactone)
- ACE inhibitors
- ARBs
- Ciclosporing
- Heparin (via inhibition of aldosterone)
What are drug causes of gynaecomastia?
- Spironolactone
- Digoxin
- Finasteride
- Oestrogens
- Cannabis
What are causes of gynaecomastia?
- Phyiological: normal in puberty
- Syndromes with androgen deficiency (Kallman’s, Klinfelter’s)
- Testicular failure (e.g. mumps)
- Liver disease
- Ectopic tumour secretion
- Haemodialysis
- Drugs
What is sick euthyroid?
In sick euthyroid syndrome (now referred to as non-thyroidal illness) it is often said that everything (TSH, thyroxine and T3) is low. In the majority of cases however the TSH level is within the >normal range (inappropriately normal given the low thyroxine and T3).
Changes are reversible upon recovery from the systemic illness and hence no treatment is usually needed.
What are the blood sugar target levels in T1DM before meals?
In type 1 diabetics, blood glucose targets:
- 5-7 mmol/l on waking
- 4-7 mmol/l before meals at other times of the day
What is Kallman’s syndrome?
Kallman’s Syndrome is a cause of secondary hypogonadism. It is a inability fo the hypothalamus to release GnRH and therefore no production of LH/FSH by the anterior pituitary
What is Klinefelter’s Syndrome?
This is a cause primary hypogonadism in males. It si when there are one or more additional X chromosomes in a man (e.g. XXY or (+)XXY)