Endocrinology of Aging Flashcards
What are two hormone systems that do not use the HPA axis?
Insulin/glucagon
Parathyroid/calcitonin
What are the two important clinical changes in endocrine activity of old people?
Pancreas
Thyroid
Four components of treatment:
- ) Diet
- ) Exercise
- ) Hypoglycemic agents
- ) Insulin
What are the endocrine and exocrine functional components of the pancreas?
Acinar: exocrine
Islet of Langerhans :endocrine
What are the two possible thyroid changes in older patients?
Hyper or hypothyroidism (can be either)
What are the adverse effects of hyperthyroidism in older?
Increased ischemic heart disease
Atrial fibrillation
Hypothyroidism adverse effects in older patients?
Not really any
When is hyperthyroidism treated in older individuals?
TSH less than 0.1 mU/L in 65 or older and in patients with cardiac risk, heart disease, osteoporosis
What is done in hyperthyroid patients with TSH between 0.1 and 0.5 mU/L?
Only if 65 or older and cardiac disease or hyperthyroid symptoms
What is the typical thyroid serum profile of older patients?
Lower T4 levels
Elevated TSH levels
What is perimenopause?
Time during the onset of menopause
When do you treat women for perimenopause?
Only if they are suffering from the menopause symptoms
What causes menopause symptoms?
An increase in P4 production (hot flashes)
What is the difference in estrogen and testosterone levels in aging patients?
Estrogen is high until menopause and spikes
Testosterone slowly decreases steadily throughout life
What occurs to GH and IGF-1 as you age?
It decreases
