Endocrinology- Concepts Flashcards
Thyroid illness
hyperthyroidism
hypothyroidism
goitre
carcinoma thyroid
pancreas illnesses
type 1 diabetes
type 2 diabetes
kidney illness
renin depended hypertension
testes illness
subfertility
testicular failure
bone illness
osteoporosis
osteomalacia
pituitary and hypothalamus illnesses
- hyperprolactinaemia
- hypopituitarism
- pituitary tumors
parathyroid glands illness
- hyperparathyroidism
- hypoparathyroidism
breast illness
- hyperprolactinaemia
adrenals illness
addison’s disease
cushing syndrome
conn syndrome
phaechromocytoma
ovaries illness
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
menopause
subfertility
What are the main causes of endocrine gland hyperfunction?
Neoplastic: Tumors causing overproduction of hormones.
Autoimmune: Conditions where the immune system stimulates excessive hormone production.
Iatrogenic: Hormone excess due to medical treatments, such as excessive hormone therapy.
What are the main causes of endocrine gland hypofunction?
Infectious/Inflammatory: Infections or chronic inflammation leading to gland destruction and reduced hormone production.
What causes hormone resistance in endocrine dysfunction?
Receptor mutations: Mutations in hormone receptors can prevent proper hormone action.
Enzyme defects:
Deficiencies in enzymes required for hormone action can lead to resistance
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
Cushing’s syndrome is a condition caused by prolonged exposure to elevated levels of cortisol, often due to pituitary adenomas, adrenal tumors, or ectopic ACTH production.
What are the common causes of Cushing’s syndrome
Pituitary adenomas (Cushing’s disease): Benign tumors producing excess ACTH.
Adrenal tumors: Primary adrenal tumors producing cortisol.
Ectopic ACTH syndrome: Tumors outside the pituitary producing ACTH (e.g., small cell lung cancer).
Iatrogenic: Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications.
What are the classic symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome?
Weight gain (central obesity)
Moon facies (rounded face)
Buffalo hump (fat accumulation on the upper back)
Skin changes (thin, easy bruising)
Muscle weakness
Hypertension
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
How is Cushing’s syndrome diagnosed?
24-hour urinary free cortisol test: Measures cortisol levels in urine.
Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test: Assesses cortisol suppression response.
Late-night salivary cortisol test: Measures cortisol levels at night, which should normally be low.
What are the potential complications of Cushing’s syndrome?
Complications may include:
Osteoporosis and increased fracture risk
Cardiovascular disease (hypertension, dyslipidemia)
Diabetes or glucose intolerance
Increased risk of infections
Psychiatric issues (depression, anxiety)
How is Cushing’s syndrome treated?
Surgery: Removal of the tumor (pituitary or adrenal).
Medications: Drugs to inhibit cortisol production (e.g., ketoconazole, mitotane).
Radiation therapy: For pituitary tumors when surgery is not an option.
Cushing’s discriminating features
Skin:
- Easy Bruising
- Thin skin
- Facial plethora
- Typical striae (purple, > 1cm wide)
Muscle:
- Proximal weakness
Growth
- Short stature in children
What is pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome?
Pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome is a condition that mimics Cushing’s syndrome, characterized by elevated cortisol levels due to non-endocrine factors, such as stress, depression, or excessive alcohol consumption, rather than an adrenal or pituitary disorder.
How does alcohol consumption contribute to pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome?
Chronic alcohol use can lead to increased cortisol production, causing symptoms similar to Cushing’s syndrome, such as weight gain, facial changes, and skin alterations. It may also cause stress on the body, further elevating cortisol levels.
How does depression affect cortisol levels in pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome?
Depression is associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to elevated cortisol levels. Symptoms may mimic those of Cushing’s syndrome, including fatigue, weight changes, and mood disturbances.
How can pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome be differentiated from true Cushing’s syndrome?
Pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome is typically characterized by:
Cortisol levels: While cortisol may be elevated, it often does not exhibit the same suppression response to dexamethasone as seen in true Cushing’s syndrome.
Reversible symptoms: Symptoms related to pseudo-Cushing’s usually improve with treatment of the underlying cause, such as reducing alcohol intake or addressing depression.