lab relevent topics

Question 1

Clinical Presentation of Adrenal Insufficiency

Answer 1

Insidious onset of fatigability, weakness, anorexia
 Loss of apetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea/opstipation,
abdominal pain
 Cutaneous hyperpigmentation – diffuse tan, brown or
bronzing
• Does not usually occur in secondary insufficiency
 Orthostatic hypotension
 Acute presentation may occur in patients with mild
adrenal insufficiency who are stressed (e.g., critical
illness, surgery)
• Mainly attributable to glucorticoid deficiency
• Hypotension which is unresponsive to fluids

Question 2

Clinical symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome

Answer 2

 Central obesity, thin extremities
 Moon face, buffalo hump
 Thin skin, purple striae, acne,
hirsutism
 Proximal muscle weakness, muscle
athrophy
 Osteoporosis, pathologic fractures
 Retardation in growth (in children)
 Infections
 Depression
 Hypertension, DM
 Hypocalemia, alkalosis
 Nephrolithiasis