Endocrinology only Flashcards
Give an example of a water-soluble hormone
Peptides
TRH, LH, FSH
Are water-soluble hormones stored in vesicles or synthesized on demand?
Stored in vesicles
How do water soluble hormones like peptides get into a cell?
Bind to cell surface receptors
Give an example of a fat soluble hormone
Steroids, like cortisol
Are fat-soluble hormones stored in vesicles or synthesized on demand?
Synthesised on demand
Give an example of an amine hormone
Noradrenaline and adrenaline
Describe the pathway for noradrenaline synthesis
Phenylalanine->L-tyrosine->L dopa->NAd and Ad
Name 2 enzymes that break down catecholamines
MAO and COMT
What are noradrenaline and adrenaline broken down into?
Normetadrenaline and metadrenaline
Where in a cell are the peptide cell receptors located?
Located on the cell membrane
Where in a cell are steroid cell receptors located?
Located in the cytoplasm
Where in a cell are the thyroid/vitamin A and D cell receptors located?
Act on nuclear receptors
Give 5 ways in which hormone action is controlled
- Hormone metabolism
- Hormone receptor induction
- Hormone receptor down-regulation
- Synergism, like glucagon and adrenaline
- Antagonism like glucagon and insulin
What layer of the trilaminar disc is the anterior pituitary derived from?
Ectoderm-Rathke’s pouch
Name 6 hormones produced by the anterior pituitary
- TSH
- FSH
- LH
- ACTH
- Prolactin
- GH
What is the posterior pituitary derived from?
The floor of the ventricles
Where are the posterior pituitary hormones synthesized?
Synthesized in the para-ventricular and supra-optic nuclei
Name 2 hormones released from the posterior pituitary
- Oxytocin
- ADH
What is the function of ADH?
Acts on the collecting ducts of the nephron and increases insertion of aquaporin 2 channels to increase H2O retention
Give 2 functions of oxytocin
- Milk secretion
- Uterine contraction
Which has a longer half-life: triiodothyronine or thyroxine?
Thyroxine: 5-7 days
Triiodothyronine: 1 day
Describe the thyroid axis
Hypothalamus->TRH->AP->TSH->thyroid->T3 and T4
T3 and T4 have a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary
What would be the effect on TSH if you had an underactive thyroid?
TSH would be raised as you have less T3/T4 being produced so no negative feedback
What would a low TSH tell you about the action of the thyroid?
Low TSH: over-active thyroid
Lots of T3 and T4 being produced so more negative feedback on the pituitary and less TSH
Describe the mechanism of action of ACTH
Hypothalamus->CRH->AP->ACTH->adrenal cortex (zona fasciculata)->glucocorticoid synthesis like cortisol
Cortisol has a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary
Give 3 functions of thyroid hormones (T3/T4)
- Food metabolism
- Protein synthesis
3, Increased sympathetic action like CO and HR - Heat production
- Growth and development
Give 3 functions of cortisol in response to stress
- Mobilises energy sources->lipolysis, gluconeogenesis, and protein breakdown
- Vasoconstriction
- Suppresses inflammatory and immune responses
- inhibits non-essential functions like growth and reproduction
Briefly describe the mechanism of FSH and LH
Hypothalamus->GnRH->AP->FSH/LH->ovaries/testes
FSH acts on granulosa cells to produce oestrogen and Sertoli cells to stimulate spermatogenesis
LH acts on theca cells to produce androgens or Leydig cells to produce testosterone
What cells does FSH act on?
In the ovaries: granulosa cells
In the testes: sertoli cells
What cells does LH act on?
In the ovaries: theca cells
In the testes: leydig cells
What is the function of theca cells?
Stimulated by LH to produce androgens that diffuse into granulosa cells to be converted into oestrogen
What is the function of granulosa cells?
Stimulated by FSH to convert androgens into oestrogen using aromatose
What is the function of Sertoli cells?
Produce MIF(Mullerian inhibiting factor) and inhibin and activin which act on the pituitary gland to regulate FSH
What is the function of Leydig cells?
Stimulated by LH to produce testosterone
Describe the GH/IGF-1 axis
Hypothalamus->GHRH or SMS->AP->GH->liver->IGF-1
What is the function of IGF-1?
Induces cell division, cartilage and skeletal growth and protein synthesis
Briefly describe the mechanism of action of prolactin
Hypothalamus->dopamine->AP->prolactin
Prolactin acts on the mammary glands to produce milk
What would happen to serum prolactin levels if something was to impact on the pituitary stalk and block dopamine release?
Prolactin levels would increase
Give 3 potential consequences of a pituitary tumour
- Pressure on local structures like an optic chiasm
Hypo-pituitary
Functioning tumours like in Cushing’s, gigantism, prolactinoma
Give 2 causes of prolactinoma
- Pituitary adenoma
2, Anti-dopaminergic drugs
Give 5 signs of prolactinoma
- Infertility
- Galactorrhea
- Amenorrhoea
- Loss of libido
- Visual field defects due to local effect of the tumour
What investigation would you do on someone presenting with difficulty getting pregnant, galactorrhoea, amenorrhea, loss of libido and headaches?
Measure serum prolactin: symptoms of prolactinoma
Describe the treatment for prolactinoma
Dopamine agonist like cabergoline
Describe growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary
Secreted in a pulsatile fashion and increases during deep sleep
What can cause acromegaly?
Benign pituitary adenoma producing excess GH
Give 5 symptoms of acromegaly
- Changes in appearance
2, increase in the size of hands and feet
3, Excessive sweating - Headache
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Amenorrhoea
- Deep voice
- Goitre
Give 5 signs of acromegaly
- Prognathism
- Interdental separation
- Large tongue
- Spade-like hands and feet
- Tight rings
- Bi-temporal hemianopia
What co-morbidities are associated with acromegaly?
- Arthritis
- Cerebrovascular events
- Hypertension and heart disease
- Sleep apnea
- T2DM
What investigations might you do on someone who you suspect has acromegaly?
- Plasma GH-can exclude acromegaly
- Serum IGF-1 levels-raised
- Oral glucose tolerance test-diagnostic
- MRI of pituitary
What test is diagnostic for acromegaly?
Oral glucose tolerance test-failure of glucose to suppress serum GH
Describe the treatment for acromegaly
- Trans-sphenoidal surgical resection
- Radiotherapy
- Medical therapy: somatostatin analogues, dopamine agonists like cabergoline
Give 3 potential complications of trans-sphenoidal surgical resection for the treatment of acromegaly
- Hypopituitarism
- Diabetes insipidus
- Haemorrhage
- CNS injury
- Meningitis
Give 3 advantages of using dopamine agonists in the treatment of acromegaly
- No hypopituitarism
- Oral administration
- Rapid onset
Give 2 disadvantages of using dopamine agonists in the treatment of acromegaly
- Can be ineffective
- Risk of side effects
Name a dopamine agonist that can be used in the treatment of acromegaly
Cabergoline
Give 5 causes of hypothyroidism
- Autoimmune thyroiditis like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and atrophic thyroiditis
- Post-partum thyroiditis
- Iatrogenic thyroidectomy
- Drug-induced: carbimazole, amiodarone, lithium
Iodine deficiency
Name 3 antibodies that may be present in the serum of someone with autoimmune thyroiditis
- TPO(thyroid peroxidase)
- Thyroglobulin
- TSH receptor
Give an example of a transient cause of hypothyroidism
Post-partum thyroiditis
Give 2 examples of iatrogenic causes of hypothyroidism
- Thyroidectomy
- Radioiodine therapy
Name 3 drugs that can cause hypothyroidism
- Carbimazole
- Amiodarone
- Lithium
How can amiodarone cause hypo-hyperthyroidism
Because it is iodine rich
Give 5 symptoms of hypothyroidism
- Menorrhagia: heavy bleeding
- Obesity/weight gain
- Malar flush
- Fatigue
- Cold intolerance
- Eyebrow loss
- Goitre
- Depression
- Dry skin/hair
Give 5 signs of hypothyroidism
- Mental slowness
- Dry, thin hair
- Bradycardia
- Anaemia
- Hypertension
- Loss of eyebrows
- Cold peripheries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
What investigations might you do in someone you suspect has hypothyroidism?
-TFT’s-serum TSH will be raised and T3/T4 will be low
-Thyroid antibodies
Describe the management for hypothyroidism
Levothyroxine
What is thyrotoxicosis?
Excess thyroid hormone due to any cause
Give 5 causes of thyrotoxicosis
- Increased production like Grave’s, toxic adenoma
- Leakage of T3/T4 due to follicular damage
- Ingestion
- Thyroiditis
- Drug induced
Give 2 causes of hyperthyroidism
- Grave’s disease
- Toxic adenoma
Briefly describe the pathophysiology of Grave’s disease
Autoimmune
TSH receptor antibodies stimulate thyroid hormone production->hyperthyroidism
Give 5 symptoms of Grave’s disease that don’t include ophthalmopathy signs
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- Irritability
- Tremors
- Palpitations
- Goitre
- Diarrhoea
- Heat intolerance
- Malaise
- Vomiting
Give 5 signs of Grave’s disease that don’t include ophthalmopathy signs
- Tachycardia
- Arrhythmias like AF
- Warm peripheries
- Muscle spasms
- Pre-tibial myxoedema(raised purple lesions over the shins)
- Thyroid acropachy (clubbing and swollen fingers)
With what disease would you associate pre-tibial myxoedema ad thyroid acropachy?
Grave’s disease
Give 5 Grave’s ophthalmopathy signs
- Exophthalmos (bulging eyes)
- Lid lag stare
- Redness
- Conjunctivitis
- Pre-orbital edema
- Bilateral
- Extra-ocular muscle swelling
What investigations might you do in someone who you suspect has hypothyroidism?
TFT’s: TSH suppressed and T3/T4 elevated
What would you see histologically in someone with Grave’s disease?
Lymphocyte infiltration and thyroid follicle destruction
Describe the treatment for Grave’s disease
- Anti-thyroid drugs like carbimazole
- Radioiodine drugs
- Surgery-partial thyroidectomy
How does carbimazole work in treating Grave’s disease?
Targets thyroid peroxidase so prevents the formation of T3/T4
Give a potentially serious side effect of taking carbimazole to treat Grave’s disease
Agranulocytosis
What advice should you give a patient when prescribing carbimazole to treat Grave’s disease
Seek medical attention if they develop an unexplained sore throat or fever-signs of agranulocytosis
How do radioiodine drugs work in treating Grave’s disease?
Radioiodine drugs emit beta particles that destroy thyroid follicles so thyroid hormone production is decreased
Give 3 potential complications of a partial thyroidectomy
- Bleeding
- Hypocalcaemia
- Hyporthyroidism
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy
What disease would you treat with carbimazole?
Grave’s disease
What disease would you treat with levothyroxine?
Hypothyroidism
Give 5 metabolic changes that occur in pregnancy
- Increased EPO, cortisol and NAd
- High CO
- High cholesterol and triglycerides
- Pro thrombotic and inflammatory state
- Insulin resistance
Give 5 gestational syndromes
- Pre-eclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Obstetric cholestasis
- Gestational thyrotoxicosis
- Postnatal depression
- Post partum thyroiditis
At what week are foetal thyroid follicles and T4 synthesised?
Week 10
Why can HCG activate TSH receptors and cause hyperthyroidism?
HCG and TSH are glycoprotein hormoens with very similar structures so HCG can activate TSH receptors
Is hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis more common in pregnancy?
Hypothyroidism more common
How can you differentiate between Grave’s disease and gestational thyrotoxicosis?
Grave’s: symptoms predate pregnancy and get more severe during pregnancy: goitre and TSH-R antibodies present
Gestational thyrotoxicosis: symptoms don’t predate pregnancy, lots of N/V-hyperemesis gravidarum associated. No goitre or TSH-R
Give 3 potential consequences of untreated hypothyroidism in pregnancy
- Gestational hypertension
- Placenta abruption
- Post partum haemorrhage
- Low birth weight
- Neonatal goitre
Give 3 potential consequences of untreated hyperthyroidism in pregnancy
- Intra-uterine growth restriction
- Low birth weight
- Pre-eclampia
- Risk of still birth/miscarriage
What is diabetes mellitus?
Disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterised by hyperglycaemia