Endocrinology diagnosis

Question 1

The right patient

Answer 1

Does this patient need this test?
Pre-test probability?
How will this change the way I manage my patient?

Question 2

What should you do from a endocrine referral

Answer 2

See the patient in the endocrinology clinic and take a history and perform a physical examination

Question 3

Why should you do test

Answer 3

Don’t give us the answer
Test result is added information
Test must be used and interpreted in clinical context
Must assess patient first - history and physical examination

Question 4

What are the options for diagnosis

Answer 4

Blood test
Imaging
Important to do biochemistry before imaging

Question 5

What are the types of blood test in endocrinology

Answer 5

Static blood test - cortisol, ACTH, sodium, potassium

Question 6

Why does time matter for static blood test results

Answer 6

24 hour circadian cycle

Hormones can appear to be low

Question 7

Why does pulsatility matter

Answer 7

Blood test might be taken during a pulse - high ACTH

Blood test might be taken after a pulse - low ACTH

Question 8

Dynamic endocrinology blood test

Answer 8

Too much hormone - suppression test

Too little hormone - stimulation test