Hormones

Question 1

Insulin

Answer 1

1) Produced: Pancreatic Beta Cells
2) Target tissue: Liver, adipocytes, General
3) Function: Lowers blood glucose
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Type II Diabetes

Question 2

Glucagon

Answer 2

1) Produced: Pancreatic Alpha Cells
2) Target: Liver, adipocytes
3) Function: Raises blood glucose
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: hyperglycemia

Question 3

Human Growth Hormone (hGH)

Answer 3

1) Produced: Anterior Pituitary
2) Target: General
3) Function: Bone and tissue growth release of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I)
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Adult Hormone Growth Deficiency

Question 4

Prolactin (PRL)

Answer 4

1) Produced: Anterior Pituitary
2) Target: Ovary and Breasts
3) Function: Milk production in breasts and secretion of estrogen and progesterone by ovary
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Prolactinoma

Question 5

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Answer 5

1) Produced: Anterior Pituitary
2) Target: Adrenal Cortex
3) Function: Secretion of adrenal cortex hormones
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Cushing’s Disease

Question 6

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Answer 6

1) Produced: Anterior Pituitary
2) Target: Ovary and testes
3) Function: Production of estrogen and progesterone or testosterone
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Luteinizing Hormone Deficiency, Hypogonadism

Question 7

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Answer 7

1) Produced: Anterior Pituitary
2) Target: Ovary and Testes
3) Function: Growth of ovarian follicles or seminiferous tubules
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Turner’s syndrome, Klinefelter’s Syndrome

Question 8

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Answer 8

1) Produced: Anterior Pituitary
2) Target: Thyroid
3) Function: Secretion of thyroid hormones
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism

Question 9

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) (also called vasopressin?)

Answer 9

1) Produced: Hypothalamus- stored and released by the Posterior Pituitary
2) Target: Kidney
3) Function: Water reabsorption by distal tubules
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Hyponatremia

Question 10

Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3)

Answer 10

1) Produced: Thyroid
2) Target: General
3) Function: Metabolism, growth and development
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Grave’s Disease, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism

Question 11

Calcitonin

Answer 11

1) Produced: Thyroid
2) Target: Osteoclasts
3) Function: Inhibits bone resorption. Lowers blood Ca, raises blood phosphorus.
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Amyloidosis, Osteoporosis

Question 12

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Answer 12

1) Produced: Parathyroids
2) Target: Osteoclasts, kidney, intestines
3) Function: Stimulates bone resorption. Raises blood Ca, lowers blood phosphorus.
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Hypoparathyroidism, Hyperparathyroidism, Hypercalcaemia

Question 13

Aldosterone

Answer 13

1) Produced: Adrenal Cortex
2) Target: Kidney
3) Function: Sodium reabsorption
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Hyperaldosteronism

Question 14

Cortisol

Answer 14

1) Produced: Adrenal Cortex
2) Target: Muscle, Liver, General
3) Function: Protein and carbohydrate metabolism- raises blood glucose
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: Cushing’s Syndrome

Question 15

Adrenaline and noradrenaline (Epinephrine and norepinephrine)

Answer 15

ADRENALINE (EPINEPHRINE)
1) Produced: Adrenal Medulla
2) Target: Muscle, liver, heart
3) Function: Raises metabolic rate, increases blood glucose, increases heart rate
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: injections for life-threatening allergic reactions, like anaphylaxis.
NORADRENALINE (NOREPINEPHRINE)
1) Produced: Adrenal Medulla
2) Target: Arterioles, adipocytes
3) Function: Vasoconstrictor, lipid mobilization
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: given by injection to treat life-threatening drops in blood pressure

Question 16

Estrogens- estradiol and estrone

Answer 16

1) Produced: Ovary
2) Target: Uterus, general
3) Function: develop and maintain female characteristics
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: ovarian problems, , vaginal atrophy (vagina narrows) , female hypogonadism

Question 17

Progesterone

Answer 17

1) Produced: Ovary
2) Target: Uterus, breasts
3) Function: Development of uterine lining
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions:

Question 18

Testosterone

Answer 18

1) Produced: Testes
2) Target: General, reproductive organs
3) Function: Develop and maintain male characteristics, spermatogenesis
4) Major Associated Clinical Conditions: male hypogonadism, Andropause

Question 19

Primary Hyperthyroidism (Thyrotoxicosis)

Answer 19

1) Type of disorder (or main gland/hormone affected): Primary Hyperthyroid
2) Cause: by excess thyroid hormone production leading to increased metabolism, disorder of thyroid gland–> tumours/nodular goiters/inflammation, thyroid overproduces T3 and T4, high T3/T4 suppresses TSH
3) Major lab findings: low TSH, high T3 and T4
4) Clinical symptoms: nervousness, weight loss, diarrhea, weakness, goiter (enlarged thyroid), heat intolerance, heart palpitations, moist skin.

Question 20

Graves’ Disease

Answer 20

1) Type of disorder (or main gland/hormone affected): Hyperthyroid
2) Cause: anti-TSH receptor Ab’s. They bind to TSH receptors on thyroid and act like TSH to stimulate thyroid.
3) Major lab findings: low TSH, high T3 and T4, positive for thyroid Ab’s (likely TRAb) tsh receptor Ab
4) Clinical symptoms: bulging eyes, lymph node swelling, blurred or double vision, skin problems, dry burning eyes

Question 21

Secondary Hyperthyroidism

Answer 21

1) Type of disorder: Secondary Hyperthyroidism (not a thyroid gland issue)
2) Cause: hypothalamus or pituitary gland, increased TRH/TSH production, over stimulation of thyroid
3) Major lab findings: high TSH, T3 and T4
4) Clinical Symptoms: symptoms as per primary hyperthyroidism

Question 22

Primary Hypothyroidism (myxedema)

Answer 22

1) Type of disorder: disease of thyroid
2) Cause: low T3/T4, prevents thyroid gland from producing adequate amounts of thyroid hormone
3) Major lab findings: high TSH/TRH, mild anemia, high serum enzymes,
4) Clinical Symptoms: all metabolic processes slow down, fatigue, depressed, dry skin, constipation

Question 23

Hashimoto’s (Hypothyroidism)

Answer 23

1) Type of disorder: Hypothyroid
2) Cause: anti-thyroid gland antibodies, autoimmune Abs attack thyroid gland
3) Major lab findings: high TSH, low T3 and T4, positive for thyroid Ab’s (likely anti-TPO, maybe anti-TG)
4) Clinical Symptoms: inflammation of thyroid gland

Question 24

Cushing’s Disease

Answer 24

1) Type of disorder: Pituitary Gland
2) Cause: over secretion of ACTH by a benign pituitary tumour
3) Major lab findings: high ACTH level,
4) Clinical Symptoms: redistribution of fat to the face and trunk, poorly controlled diabetes, severe anxiety/depression

Question 25

Acromegaly

Answer 25

1) Type of disorder: Pituitary Gland
2) Cause: over-secretion of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor- I (IGF-I)
3) Major lab findings: high GH level,
4) Clinical Symptoms: enlargement of all tissues in the body, especially bones of the face, jaw, hands and feet

Question 26

Diabetes Insipidus

Answer 26

1) Type of disorder: Pituitary Gland
2) Cause: deficiency of the pituitary hormone vasopressin
3) Major lab findings: electrolyte imbalance, less concentrated urine,
4) Clinical Symptoms: intense thirst (polydipsia), polyuria,

Question 27

Cushing’s Syndrome

Answer 27

1) Type of disorder: Adrenal Gland
2) Cause: over-secretion of cortisol by the adrenal gland, most often due to a benign adrenal tumour
3) Major lab findings: serum cortisol increased,
4) Clinical Symptoms: severe fatigue, weak muscles, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, increased thirst and urination, irritability, anxiety, or depression

Question 28

Addison’s Disease

Answer 28

1) Type of disorder: Adrenal Gland
2) Cause: under-activity of adrenal glands, so autoimmune destruction of the adrenal gland, too little cortisol
3) Major lab findings: thyroid autoantibodies, increased TSH
4) Clinical Symptoms: weakness, GI symptoms, dizziness, fainting, darkening of the skin

Question 29

Conn’s Syndrome

Answer 29

1) Type of disorder: Endocrine Disorder
2) Cause: oversecretion of the hormone aldosterone produced by the adrenal glands; caused by an abnormal growth (adenoma) in the cortex of the adrenal glands.
3) Major lab findings: increased aldosterone so increased sodium levels in the blood, increased blood volume, low potassium level
4) Clinical Symptoms: weakness, unusual sensations such as tingling and warmness, muscle cramps.

Question 30

Hyperparathyroidism (Hypercalcemia)

Answer 30

1) Type of disorder: Parathyroid gland and mineral metabolism
2) Cause: single benign tumour, overproduction of parathyroid hormone
3) Major lab findings: elevated blood Ca levels
4) Clinical Symptoms: weakness, constipation, nausea, kidney stones

Question 31

Diabetes Mellitus Type I

Answer 31

1) Type of disorder:
2) Cause: body’s inability to produce insulin due to the autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas
3) Major lab findings: fasting plasma glucose concentration of 126 mg/dL (6.99 mmol/L) or higher.
4) Clinical Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, polyuria