Endocrinology and Diabetes Flashcards
How will someone with hypoglycaemia present?
1) Sympathetic Symptoms: tremor, sweating, palpitations tachycardia, hunger
2) Neuroglycopenic Symptoms: Irritable, confused, drowsy, dizziness
3) LOC or Fits
How do you manage hypoglycaemia?
If alert and can swallow:
Fruit juice or glucose tablets
If confused but can swallow:
Glucose gels
If unconscious/Nil by mouth:
IV glucose 20%
IM glucagon if no IV access
How could you treat hypoglycaemia in the community?
Fruit Juice ideally
Sweets
Full fat coke
After immediate treatment for hypoglycaemia what further steps should be undertaken?
1) Need long acting carbohydrate (cereal, biscuits)
2) Then restart IV insulin
Constantly monitor BM
Why can somebody with DM get recurrent hypoglycaemia?
Injecting insulin despite not eating
Change of eating habits but haven’t changed insulin dose
Poor glucose monitoring
Drinking alcohol in excess (especially without food)
What does a basal bolus 1:10 quick acting (QA) to carb ratio mean?
Bolus:
You need to use 1 unit of QA insulin to every 10g of carbs you eat.
e.g. 30 g is 3 units
Basal is one injection of long-acting insulin all day
A patient is on NovoMix 30. What does this mean and when should the patient take there injection?
It is a mix of fast-acting insulin and intermediate insulin.
(aspart)
Should be administered just before meal time.
What are the colours of a NovoMix pen and a NOVORAPID FlexPen?
NovoMix 30: Blue
NOVORAPID: Orange + Black
What questions should you ask at an annual diabetic review?
Any insulin side effects? (lipodystrophy)
Any hypo events?
Check feet
BP, BM, HbA1c, Cholesterol
Screen for other diseases associated w/ DM
Why does a patient with DKA have a raised respiratory rate?
Become acidotic
Respiratory Compensation (hyperventilate to reduce CO2 levels and try and raise pH)
What are the clinical features supportive of DKA?
Previous Dgx of DM
Abdo Pain + Vomiting
Tachypnoea
Tachycardia
Polyuria
Polydipsia
Fruity Breath
Hypotensive (dehydrated)
What are the biochemical features of DKA?
Glucose: > 11.1 mmol/L
Ketones: > 3 mmol/L
ABG: Acidosis (pH < 7.3)
HCO3-: < 15 mmol/L
What is your immediate management for DKA and why?
1) IV Fluids (0.9% NaCl) to prevent hypotension + shock
2) IV Fixed rate insulin (Actrapid)
3) Correct electrolytes (Add K to IV fluids?)
Constant monitoring of fluid balance, ketones, pH, glucose, Bicarb
Treat underlying cause (infection?)
What further investigations do you perform after DKA?
Capillary/Lab Glucose
VBG
U+Es, FBC
Blood Cultures
ECG (K+)
CXR
MSU (Mid Stream Urine)
BP monitoring
RR monitoring
When do you need to admit somebody with DKA to HDU?
pH less than 7.1
Hypokalaemia
Low GCS
Low Sats
Systolic BP less than 90mmHg
Tachycardia or bradycardia
High Anion Gap
When after DKA should a patient be put back on their regular SC insulin and how should you do it?
Ketones < 0.6 mmol/L
pH > 7.3
DO NOT DISCONTINUE IV INSULIN UNTIL 30 MINS AFTER SC INSULIN GIVEN
What is the most likely cause of DKA?
1) Infection
2) Not taking enough insulin
Unknown dgx of diabetes
What steps should be taken to prevent future DKA in patients?
Education on insulin and ensure the correct dose
Insulin Pump or other continuous monitoring methods
Why are diabetics prone to foot ulcers?
Peripheral Neuropathy, so usually get an injury to the foot but carry on weight bearing causing further injury and ulceration.
Usaully have peripheral vascular disease too so have poor blood flow so unable to heal quickly
What features in a diabetic’s toes would make you suspect osteomyelitis?
Deep Ulcer (if probe ulcer and probe touches bone)
Swelling toes
Bruised toes
Pain in toes
Red toes
What investigations do you request if you suspect osteomyelitis?
X-ray
ESR/CRP/FBC
Blood Cultures + Swab Ulcer
Bone biopsy?
What does osteomyelitis look like on X-ray?
Osteopenia (bony erosion visible)
Periosteal Reaction (formation of new bone in response to injury)
What common organisms are involved in an infected diabetic foot ulcer and what antibiotics are commonly used?
Staph aureus - Flucloxacillin (doxycycline if allergic)
E coli
Klebsiella
Severe: add metronidazole
Describe the multidisciplinary care of diabetes related foot disease. What are the key steps in involved in ulcer healing?
Regular ulcer cleaning + wound dressing
Feet Screening from podiatrist
General diabetes monitoring from doctors/CNS
Why would a glucose monitor say error?
- Blood test sample smeared or not large enough
- Test strip incorrectly inserted
- Wrong test strip used
- Temperature of the strip is too warm or cold
What is the glucose conc if the reader says “Hi”?
Above 30 mmol/L
If a test confirms hyperglycaemia, what other test will you do?
Ketones
What is Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic state (HHS) and how does it present?
Hypovolaemia
Hyperglycaemia (30mmol/L+)
NO KETONURIA OR ACIDOSIS
Osmolality 320mosm/kg+
Confused, low GCS, dehydrated
What is the initial management of HHS?
1) IV NaCl (1L over 1hr) [caution in elderly]
2) Constant monitoring of glucose, ketones, BP, fluid status
If ketonuria or hyperglycaemia then insulin infusion
3) Correct electrolyte disturbances (K)
5) Prophylactic LMWH
What are the complications of HHS?
Mortality
Cerebral Oedema
Blood clots
Lactic Acidosis
What’s the target for HbA1c in DMII?
Below 6.5%
But can be relaxed on an individualistic basis (elderly or reduced life span, or at risk of hypo or drive or operate heavy machinery e.g.)
What’s a diabetes education course?
Helps you to lose weight (food choices)
Helps with dosing of insulin and monitoring of glucose
What’s the management for DMII?
1) Lifestyle Change
2) Metformin (Metformin MR if can’t tolerate) - Inhibits hepatic gluceogenesis
3) Empagliflozin (SGL2i) - increases Urinary excretion of Glucose
4) Sulfonylurea - Stimulates B cell insulin production
5) Pioglitazone - Reduces hepatic glucose output
Incretins:
Exenatide (stimulate gut-controlled insulin release) GLP-1
Sitagliptin (DDP-4i - Increase GLP-1 levels)
Insulin in late stages of disease
If a patient has a patient has CKD/microalbuminuria as well as diabetes what does this mean?
Higher QRisk score
Increases chance of CVD Death
What effect does DMI have on Potassium?
Insulin drives K into cells
Serum Potassium raised
Total body Potassium is low
Insulin can cause hypokalaemia so always have to observe K levels
How do we diagnose diabetes?
HbA1c levels in blood test
Fasting Plasma Glucose
Anti-insulin Ab (not routinely tested but will show in DMI)
Serum C-peptide will be low in type 1 (later on)
What are some causes of secondary diabetes?
Viral (CMV)
HIV Drugs, Steroids
Endocrine Disorders (Cushing’s)
Pancreatitis/Pancreatic Cancer
CF
Haemochromatosis
PCOS
PheochromocytomaW
What are the ADRs and contraindications to Metformin?
B12 Deficiency
GI Upset
Low eGFR
Hold metformin if having iodine contrast
Where do you have to be careful when prescribing Gliclazide?
Can cause hypoglycaemia
Warn drivers, elderly, machinery workers
When shouldn’t you prescribe glitazones? (Pioglitazone)
Cause Fluid retention and increase fracture risk
No in HF, Osteoporosis, Bladder cancer
What’s the main issue with flozins?
Thrush
UTI
Low BP
Hold if ill or fasting
Give an example of a fast acting, short action, intermediate and long action insulin?
FA: NovoRapid
SA: Actrapid
IA: Humulin I
LA: Glargine
What can we do if somebody is struggling with their BM with insulin injections?
Insulin Pump (constantly measures and pumps when needed)
Still need to inject before food
What are the short term complications of diabetes?
Hypoglycaemia
DKA
HHS
UTIs
What are the long term complications of Diabetes?
macrovascular:
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Stroke
HTN
Coronary Artery Disease
microvascular:
Peripheral Neuropathy
Retinopathy
CKD
What are the risk factors for DMII?
Older Age
Black African or South Asian
FH
Obesity
High Carb Diet
How does DMII present?
Tiredness
Polyuria/Polydipsia
Glucosuria
Acanthosis Nigerians (thickening/darkening of skin)
What drug is first line for HTN in DMII?
ACEi
What clinical features will be present with an adrenal crisis?
Post infection/surgery/trauma
On long term steroids (steroid withdrawal)
Fatigue
N+V
Hypotensive
Tachycardia
Reduced consciousness/confusion
Hyponatraemia/Hyperkalaemia
^Urea
Hypoglycaemia
What is the immediate management for an adrenal/addisonian crisis?
1) ABCDE
2) IV Hydrocortisone
3) IV Fluids
4) IV glucose if hypoglycaemic
What advice can you give to long term steroid users/patients with Addison’s to prevent crisis?
Always have a steroid emergency card/medical alert jewellery with you
Double your steroid dose in times of illness
If severe D+V/surgery may beed glucocorticoids IV/IM
How does a patient present with hyponatraemia?
Confusion/Drowsiness
Nausea
Fatigue
Irritability
What medications can cause low Na?
Citalopram (SSRIs) (older age)
NSAIDs
Thiazide/Thiazide-Like Diuretcis
Loop Diuretics
Antipsychotics
Carbamazepine
What clinical assessments can help guide the management of hyponatraemia?
Can be caused water excess or sodium depletion
Urine Sodium:
>20mmol/L:
Addison’s
Diuretics
Renal Failure
<20mmol/L:
D+V
Burns
CF
HF
Liver disease
Urine Osmolality:
High:
SIADH
Low:
Hypothyroidism
TFT needed to rule out!
Serum Osmolality can be helpful
What’s the relevance of fluid status in hyponatraemia?
High:
Nephrotic Syndrome
CF
Liver Disease
Low:
D+V?