HIGH WEIGHTING - Endocrine System Flashcards
What is Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
Autoimmune condition
- destroys beta pancreatic cells
- prevents insulin production
Symptom onset is FAST
What is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
Develops over time
- exacerbated by lifestyle factors (wt, diet, exercise)
Body still produces insulin but cells become increasingly resistant to it
Symptom onset is SLOW
What HbA1c levels are indicative of diabetes?
> 47mmol/L
What HbA1c levels are indicative of pre-diabetes?
42-47mmol/L
What HbA1c levels are indicative of NO diabetes present?
<42mmol/L
Which disease causes hypERthyroidism?
Graves disease
What are some presenting symptoms of Graves disease?
- Thickening of skin (particularly on shins) - Graves Dermopathy
- Bulging eyes (retracted eyelids)
- Eye redness
What causes the thickening of skin and bulging eyes in Graves disease?
Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin
What are the pharmacological management options for Graves disease?
(1) TITRATION: Start with antithyroid drugs and titrate to lowest effective dose
(2) BLOCK & REPLACE: Start with high dose antithyroid drugs and use levothyroxine to replace thyroid hormones and stop hypothyroidism.
Which pharmacological treatment of Graves disease is preferred in pregnancy?
Titration
As ‘Block & Replace’ requires very high levels of antithyroid drugs
What are the antithyroid drugs used in pharmacological management of Graves disease?
- Carbimazole
- Propylthiouracil
- Propranolol (provides relief of adrenergic symptoms)
What is the normal dosing of carbimazole?
20-60mg in divided doses
Once euthyroid, reduce by 5-15mg gradually
For 12-18 months duration
What is the normal duration of carbimazole treatment?
12-18 months
What are the main side-effects of carbimazole?
- Bone marrow disorders (neutropenia & agranulocytosis)
- Acute pancreatitis (discontinue permanently - MHRA warning)
- Stomach irritation
- Rash
What is an MHRA warning for carbimazole?
- Risk of acute pancreatitis
- Increased risk of congenital malformations, strengthened advice on contraception
What are the counselling points for carbimazole?
- Can reduce number of WBCs in the body
- Important that they are able to recognise symptoms
- See GP if experiencing the following:
- Sore throat
- Temperature ≥37.5ºC (fever)
- Unexplained bruising
- Mouth ulcers
What is the usual dosing of propranolol in thyrotoxicosis?
10-40mg TDS or QDS
What are some cautions for beta-blockers?
- Asthma
- Diabetic patients (can mask symptoms of hypoglycaemia)
What is the STOPP criteria for beta-blockers?
- Combinatory use with verapamil/ diltiazem (risk of heart block)
- Bradycardia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Non-selective beta-blockers in patients with asthma
What is a drug that can commonly induce hypERthyroidism?
Amiodarone
- iodine rich, can cause thyroid dysfunction
Can also causes hypOthyroidism
What is a drug that can commonly induce hypOthyroidism?
Amiodarone
- iodine rich, can cause thyroid dysfunction
Can also causes hypERthyroidism
What is hypOthyroidism?
Impaired production of T3 and T3
What are some symptoms of hypOthyroidism?
- Cold intolerance
- Tiredness
- Constipation
- Depression
- Wt gain
What are some symptoms of primary hypOthyroidism?
- Iodine deficiency
- Hashimoto’s
- Physical damage
- Drug induced
- Transient
What are some symptoms of secondary hypOthyroidism?
- Pituitary/ hypothalamic disorder
- Tumours
- Surgery
What is Hashimoto’s disease?
Autoimmune disease
Thyroid follicular cells gradually destroyed by lymphocytes
Goitre can form due to thyroid enlargement
What is primary hypOthyroidism?
Thyroid gland unable to produce hormones
What is secondary hypOthyroidism?
Result of insufficient production of bioactive TSH
What is an MHRA warning for levothyroxine?
Patients can react very differently to different brands of levothyroxine
If a patient says they can only take ONE brand, only give that brand
What are some monitoring requirements for levothyroxine?
Measure TSH every 3 months until stabilised
What are some side-effects of levothyroxine?
SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM:
- Diarrhoea
- Nervousness
- Rapid pulse
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Anginal pain (if latent myocardial ischaemia)
How should side-effects of levothyroxine be managed?
(1) Reduce dose
(2) Withhold for 1-2 days + restart at lower dose
What is the HPA-axis?
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis
Central stress response system
What are some short term stress responses of the sympatho-adrenomedulary system?
- Increased HR
- Increased BP
- Conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver
- Bronchiole dilation
- Changes in blood flow patterns (increased alertness, increased metabolic rate, decreased urine output, decreased digestive system activity)
Where is ACTH released?
Anterior pituitary
What stimulates the production of ACTH?
CRH
Where are glucocorticoids produced?
Adrenal cortex (stimulated by ACTH)
What is Addisons disease?
Form of adrenal insufficiency
What are some long term stress responses of the HPA-axis?
- Retention of Na+ & water by kidneys
- Increased blood volume & blood pressure
- INCREASED:
- Gluconeogenesis
ø Fat & protein mobilisation - DECREASED:
ø Insulin sensitivity
ø GH & T3
ø Immune/ inflammatory response
How is Addisons disease managed?
Treatment initiated and monitored by a specialist endocrinologist
- Glucocorticoid: Hydrocortisone (can also use prednisolone/ dexamethasone)
- Mineralocorticoid: Fludrocortisone (50-300micrograms daily)
What are the sick day rules for Addisons disease?
- Double normal dose of hydrocortisone for a fever or infection/ sepsis requiring ABx
- Severe nausea: Take 20mg hydrocortisone & rehydrate using fluids/ electrolytes
- D + V/ serious illness: Emergency 100mg hydrocortisone injection immediately, then call doctor saying:
øAdrenal crisis
ø Addisons emergency
ø Steroid-dependent patient - Serious injury: 20mg hydrocortisone (to avoid shock)
What should be done for an Addisons patient experiencing diarrhoea/ vomiting OR a serious illness?
(1) Use emergency hydrocortisone 100mg injection immediately
(2) Call doctor
(3) Say: ‘adrenal crisis’ OR ‘Addisons emergency’ OR ‘steroid-dependent patient’
What is Cushing’s disease?
Increased secretion of ACTH from pituitary gland
Leads to too much cortisol
What most commonly causes Cushing’s disease?
Pituitary adenoma (~80%)
What are some common signs and symptoms of Cushing’s disease?
- Wt gain
- High BP
- Excess hair growth (women)
- Irritability
- Poor short-term memory & concentration
- Impaired immunological function
- Red face
- Extra fat around neck
- Fatigue
- Moon face
- Red stretch marks
- Irregular menstruation (women)
How is Addisons disease diagnosed?
Short Synthacten Test
How is Cushing’s disease diagnosed?
DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION TEST:
(1) Overnight test
(2) Two-day, low-dose test
(3) Two-day, high-dose dexamethasone suppression test
What are the main treatment options for Cushing’s disease?
(1) Endoscopic surgical resection
(2) Pituitary radiation therapy
(3) Bilateral adrenalectomy
What are some pharmacological management options for Cushing’s disease?
(1) Mifepristone
(2) Ketoconazole
(3) Mitotane
What are the parathyroid glands?
Produces parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Four of these glands on the posterior of the thyroid
What does parathyroid hormone (PTH) do?
Helps to maintain calcium homeostasis
What is hyperparathyroidism?
Autonomous overproduction of parathyroid hormone
Results in hypercalcaemia (pulling calcium out of the bones + into the blood)
What are some signs and symptoms of hyperparathyroidism?
- Digestive system:
ø Loss of appetite
ø Constipation
ø N + V - Nervous system:
ø Fatigue
ø Depression
ø Confusion - Musculoskeletal system:
ø Muscle weakness
ø Aches + pains - Urinary system:
ø Increased thirst
ø Increased urination
ø Kidney stones
When is management of hyperparathyroidism required?
- Thirst
- Excessive urination
- Constipation
- Osteoporosis/ fragility fracture
- Renal stones
What is the pharmacological management of hyperparathyroidism?
(1) Bisphosphonates - reduce fracture risk
(2) Cinacalcet - reduce blood plasma levels of Ca2+
Why does hypercalcaemia need to be managed effectively?
Can cause coma + increased mortality
What is secreted by the adrenal glands?
(1) Mineralocorticoids
(2) Glucocorticoids
(3) Androgens
(4) Stress hormones (adrenaline/ noradrenaline)
What does ACTH do?
Stimulates the adrenal cortex
What does ACTH do?
Stimulates the adrenal cortex
What is the adrenal medulla responsible for?
Short-term stress response
What is the adrenal cortex responsible for?
Long-term stress response
Which type of endocrine patients should carry a steroid alert card, as per NPSA alerts?
Addisons disease
To support early identification & treatment of adrenal crisis
Endocrine System
What is diabetes insipidus?
Too little ADH
Excess thirst and excess dilute urine
Endocrine System
(1) What are the types of diabetes insipidus? (2) What are their treatments?
(1)
- Cranial - pituitary
- Nephrogenic - partial
(2)
Pituitary - vasopressin/ desmopressin
Nephrogenic - thiazide diuretic
Endocrine System
What are some benefits of desmopressin over vasopressin?
- more potent and longer duration
- no vasoconstrictor effect
Endocrine System
What are some side effects of desmopressin?
- Hyponatraemia - if given too rapidly - can increase risk of convulsions
- Nausea
Endocrine System
What is SIADH?
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
Leads to hyponatraemia, due to reduced urination diluting salt concentration in the blood
Endocrine System
What is the treatment of SIADH?
(1) Fluid restriction
(2) Demeclocycline - blocks renal tubular effect of ADH
(3) Tolvaptan - vasopressin antagonist
Endocrine System
Why should rapid correction of hyponatraemia with tolvaptan be avoided?
Causes osmotic demyelination - serious neurological events
Endocrine System
What are some risk factors for osteoporosis?
- postmenopausal women
- men over 50yrs
- patients taking long term corticosteroids
- age increase
- lack of exercise
- vit D/ calcium deficiency
- low BMI (underweight)
- smoking/ drinking
- Hx of fractures
- early menopause
Endocrine System
What are some lifestyle changes for management of osteoporosis?
- increase exercise
- smoking cessation
- maintaining an ideal BMI
- reduce alcohol intake
- increase intake of vit D and calcium (can use supplements)
Endocrine System
What HRT can be used peri-menopause?
Oestrogen
Endocrine System
What HRT can be used post-menopause?
Tibolone/ oestrogen
Endocrine System
What is the first line treatment for osteoporosis?
Oral bisphosphonates (alendronic/ risedronate)
Endocrine System
What alternative therapies are available for postmenopausal osteoporosis?
- ibandronic acid - 150mg once a month
- denosumab
- raloxifene
Endocrine System
What can be used for severe osteoporosis in post-menopausal patients?
- Teriparatide - total of 2yrs
- romosozumab
Endocrine System
What is the recommendation if a patient experiences one severe or two moderate-low trauma vertebral fractures, for osteoporosis?
Teriparatide/ romosozumab recommended over oral bisphosphonates
Endocrine System
What are some alternative therapies for osteoporosis in men?
Zoledronic acid/ denosumab/ teriparatide
Endocrine System
What is the treatment for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis?
- zoledronic acid
- denosumab
- teriparatide
Endocrine System
When is a treatment review for osteoporosis required?
5yrs
3yrs for zoledronic acid
Endocrine System
When should prophylaxis of osteoporosis at glucocorticoid treatment onset be started?
(1) Women:
- 70yrs or older
- previous fragility fracture
- large doses of glucocorticoid (e.g. >7.5mg prednisolone daily - or equivalent)
(2) Men >70yrs AND previous fragility fracture OR large doses of glucocorticoids
(3) Large dose corticosteroids for >3 months
Endocrine System
What are some MHRA warnings for bisphosphonates?
(1) Atypical femoral fracture
(2) ONJ - osteonecrosis of the jaw
(3) Osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal
Endocrine System
What are some side effects of bisphosphonates?
- oesophageal reactions
Endocrine System
What is the administration advice for alendronic acid?
Take 30 minutes before breakfast/ other oral medications
Take with a full glass of water while standing
Remain upright for 30 minutes after
Endocrine System
How does the administration advice for risedronate sodium differ to that of alendronic acid?
Is still to take 30 mins before breakfast
BUT also to leave 2hrs before and after food/ drink - if taken at any other time of day
Endocrine System
What is Strontium?
Bone formation stimulant and reduces bone resorption
Endocrine System
What are some side effects of Strontium?
- serious cardiovascular diseases (inc. MI, VTE)
- severe allergic reaction - DRESS: drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms
Sex Hormone Responsive Conditions
What are some natural oestrogens?
- estradiol
- estrone
- estriol
Sex Hormone Responsive Conditions
What are some examples of progesterones?
- norethisterone
- levonorgestrel
- desogestrel
Sex Hormone Responsive Conditions
What are some examples of synthetic oestrogens?
- ethinylestradiol
- mestranol
Sex Hormone Responsive Conditions
What are some examples of tibolones?
- estrogenic
- progestogenic
- weakly androgenic
Sex Hormone Responsive Conditions
What menopausal symptoms can estrogens alleviate?
- vaginal atrophy (vaginal dryness)
- vasomotor instability (hot flushes, night sweats)
- postmenopausal osteoporosis
Sex Hormone Responsive Conditions
What are the differences in HRT between women with a uterus and those without?
1) Without:
- continuous oestrogen use
- consider addition of progesterone IF endometriosis occurs
2) With:
- oestrogen with cyclical progestogen