Hyposecretory states Flashcards
What are the two nuclei in the hypothalamus that send axons down into the posterior pituitary?
Paraventricular
Supraoptic
What are the six hormones that are secreted by the anterior pituitary?
ACTH TSH PRL LH FSH GH
What are the two hormones released by the posterior pituitary?
ADH
Oxytocin
What is the inhibitory and promoting signals for Prolactin release?
Dopamine = inhibiting TSH = promoting
What does GH do in the liver? What does this do?
causes IGF production, which acts on target tissues
What is hypopituitarism?
Decreased secretion of anterior and/or posterior pituitary hormones resulting from pituitary, hypothalamus, or parasellar disease
What is the most common cause of hypopituitarism?
80% primary pituitary disease
What percent of hypopituitarism is caused by hypothalamic disease?
13%
What is the sinus that sits anterior to the pituitary?
Sphenoid sinus
What are the four major primary causes of hypopituitarism?
- Tumors
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Infarction
What type of growth can cause hypopituitarism?
Adenomas
How long does it take for hypopituitarism to present following head/neck radiation?
Months to years
What is Sheehan syndrome? SSX?
hypopituitarism after postpartum hemorrhage d/t infarct of the pituitary
Amenorrhea and inability to lactate following prego
What is pituitary apoplexy? Ssx?
Hemorrhage into a pituitary adenoma
Sudden onset of a headache, and diplopia from pressure on oculomotor nerves
What are the infiltrative diseases that can cause hypopituitarism?
- Sarcoidosis
- Hemochromatosis
- Lymphocytic hypophysitis
What is lymphocytic hypophysitis?
Lymphocytes invade and cause destruction of pituitary cells
What is the genetic mutation that can cause hypopituitarism ?
Pit-1
prop-1
What is the difference between primary and secondary empty sella syndrome?
Primary = defect in the diaphragm sella, allowing CSF pressure to enlarge the sella
Secondary = space resulting from a pituitary adenoma that has been removed by surgery or radiation
What are the ssx of cortisol deficiency?
- Weakness/fatigue
- Anorexia
- Vague abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- hypoglycemia
How do you determine ACTH deficiency?
Low cortisol with simultaneous low ACTH
Does primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency cause hyperpigmentation? Why?
Primary, since increased POMC production causes increased MSH (by product of its breakdown) to cause hyperpigmentation
Does primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency cause aldosterone deficiency? Why? What metabolic disturbance does this cause?
Primary, since Renin-angiotensin not regulated by ACTH
Hyperkalemia
How do you diagnose adrenal insufficiency?
Morning cortisol less than 3 or greater than 18
What is the cortrosyn stimulation test? What indicates a normal test?
- Obtain a baseline cortisol level
- Administer 250 mcg of ACTH
- Check serum at 30 and 60 minutes after injection
- If rises more than 18, abnormal
What is Metyrapone? Use?
Medication that blocks conversion of 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol.
This should increase ACTH in normal patients
How is insulin used to diagnose ACTH deficiency?
Giving insulin will cause hypoglycemia, and should increased ACTH
What is the treatment for ACTH deficiency?
Give 15-30 mg of hydrocortisone daily
2/3 dose at rising, 1/3 dose afternoon
When should patients with secondary ACTH deficiency administer a higher dose?
Under periods of illness
How do you assess the adequacy of treatment for ACTH deficiency?
Check BP, lytes, and general wellbeing
Do patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency (decreased ACTH production) need supplementary aldosterone? Why or why not?
No, because only primary adrenal insufficiency causes a loss of aldosterone
What are the findings of TSH deficiency?
Low T4 and low TSH
What is the treatment for TSH deficiency? Goal?
L-thyroxine, with the goal being normal T4 serum values