MEDICINE - ENDOCRINOLOGY Flashcards
What does hypothalamus stimulate?
Pituitary gland
Anterior pituitary gland hormones release
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- luteinising hormone (LH)
- Growth hormone (GH)
- Prolactin
Posterior pituitary hormones release
- Oxytocin
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Thyroid axis
Hypothalamus releases TRH
TRH stimulates Anterior pituitary to release TSH
TSH stimulates thyroid to release T3 and T4
T3 and T4 suppress the release of TRH and TSH by acting on hypothalamus and pituitary
Adrenal axis
Hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone.
CRH stimulates anterior pituitary to release ACTH
ACTH stimulates adrenals to release cortisol
* Cortisol supresses release of CRH and ACTH (in hypothalamus and anterior pituitary)
Which hormone has diurnal variation?
- Cortisol (peaks in the morning, lowest in the evening)
Actions of cortisol
- Increases alertness
- Inhibits the immune system
- Inhibits bone formation
- Raises blood glucose
- Increases metabolism
Growth hormone axis
Hypothalamus produces GHRH
GHRH stimulates anterior pituitary to release GH
GH stimulates the release of IGF-1 from the liver
Growth hormone actions
- Stimulates muscle growth
- Increases bone density and strength
- Stimulates cell regeneration and reproduction
- Stimulates growth of internal organs
Parathyroid axis
PTH is released from four PTH glands (in response to low Ca/ low Mg/ low phosphate)
PTH increases serum calcium concentration
1) PTH increases activity and numbers of osteoclasts in bone (resorption of Ca from bone into blood)
2) PTH stimulates calcium reabsorption in the kidneys
3) PTH stimulates kidneys to convert D3 into calcitriol (Active form of vit D)
* If serum Ca is high, PTH is suppressed
Role of Vit D
Hormone that promotes calcium absorption from food in the intestine
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Renin is released in the kidney
Blood vessels secrete more Renin in low BP/ less Renin in high BP
Renin converts Angiotensinogen (released in liver) into Angiotensin I
ACE converts Angiotensin I into Angiotensin II (in the lungs)
Angiotensin II stimulates the release of Aldosterone (from adrenals)
* Aldosterone increases sodium and water reabsorption, increasing BP
Main role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
Regulate the BP
What is renin?
Enzyme released by juxtraglomerular cells in afferent arterioles in kidney
What is aldosterone?
Mineralcorticoid steroid hormone, acts on nephrons to:
* Increase sodium reabsorption from the distal tubule
* Increase potassium secretion from the distal tubule
* Increase hydrogen secretion from the collecting ducts
2 groups of corticosteroid hormones
- Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol)
- Mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone)
Primary glucocorticoid hormone
Cortisol, produced by adrenal glands
Cushing’s syndrome
Prolonged high levels of glucocorticoids in the body [Cushing disease + Alternative cause: use of exogenous corticosteroids (dexamethasone or prednisolone)]
Cushing’s disease
Pituitary adenoma secreting excess ACTH
* This stimulates excess cortisol release from adrenals
Features of Cushing’s syndrome
- Round, moon face
- Central obesity
- Abdominal striae (stretch marks)
- Enlarged fat pad on the upper back (buffalo hump)
- Proximal limb muscle wasting (with difficulty standing from a sitting position without using their arms)
- hirsutism
- Easy bruising and poor skin healing
- Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation in Cushing’s cause
High ACTH levels
Metabolic effects of Cushing’s syndrome
- Hypertension
- Cardiac hypertrophy
- Type 2 diabetes
- Dyslipidaemia (raised cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Osteoporosis
Causes of Cushing’s syndrome
- Cushing disease (pituitary adenoma releasing ACTH)
- Adrenal adenoma (adrenal tumour secreting excess cortisol)
- Paraneoplastic syndrome
- Exogenous steroids
Paraneoplastic Cushing’s syndrome
ACTH is released from a tumour other than pituitary gland (ectopic ACTH)
* Eg. small cell lung cancer
Dexamethasone suppression tests
Used to diagnose Cushing’s syndrome caused by endogenous problem (not used to look for exogenous steroids cause)
Normal dexamethasone response
Supressed cortisol due to negative feedback (dexamethasone negatively acts on hypothalamus, which reduces CRH – this causes negative feedback on pituitary, then reduces ACTH. Low CRH and ACTH result in low cortisol release from adrenals. – lack of cortisol suppression is cushings syndrome.
3 types of dexamethasone suppression test
- Low dose overnight test
- Low dose 48h test
- High dose 48h test
Low dose overnight test
1mg dexa is given at night, cortisol checked in the morning; normal result is cortisol suppression
Low dose 48h test
0.5mg dexa is taken every 6h for 8 doses, starting at 9am.
Cortisol is checked at 0h and 48h later
Normal result: suppressed cortisol (abnormal is cushing syndrome)
High dose 48h test
2mg dexa taken every 6h for 8 doses starting at 9am.
Cortisol checked at 0h and 48h later
High dose supresses cortisol in cushing syndrome by pituitary adenoma (Cushing disease) but NOT in adrenal adenoma or ectopic ACTH
When is ACTH low?
When excess cortisol comes from adrenal tumour
When is ACTH high?
When it is produced by pituitary tumour or ectopic ACTH (small cell lung cancer)
high dose 48h test – cortisol supressed cause?
Cushing disease due to pituitary adenoma
High dose 48h test – cortisol not suppressed cause?
Adrenal adenoma or ectopic ACTH
Low dose dexa test/ high dose/ ACTH – normal pt
Cortisol low/ cortisol low/ ACTH high
Low dose dexa test/ high dose/ ACTH – adrenal adenoma
Not suppressed cortisol/ not suppressed/ low ACTH
Low dose dexa test/ high dose/ ACTH – pituitary adenoma
Not suppressed/ low cortisol/ high ACTH
Low dose dexa test/ high dose/ ACTH – ectopic ACTH
Not suppressed/ not suppressed/ high ACTH
Treatment in cushing syndrome
- Trans-sphenoidal removal of pituitary adenoma
- Surgical removal of adrenal tumour
- Surgical removal of ectopic ACTH tumour
Nelson’s syndrome
ACTH producing pituitary tumour develops post surgical removal of adrenals and lack of cortisol (lack of negative suppression)
Metyrapone
Reduces production of cortisol in the adrenals, might be used in treating Cushing’s
Primary hyperthyroidism
Thyroid abnormal – produces excessive thyroid hormones. TSH is suppressed by high T3 and T4 causing a low TSH level.
Secondary hyperthyroidism
Pituitary abnormal – produces excessive TSH (pituitary adenoma), stimulating excess production of TSH from thyroid, and hence T3 T4 are raised
Primary hypothyroidism
Thyroid abnormal – increased thyroid hormone produced, hence TSH is raised, T3 and T4 are low.
Secondary hypothyroidism
Pituitary produces inadequate TSH (eg post surgical removal of pituitary), understimulation of thyroid, hence TSH, T3, T4 all low
Primary hyperthyroidisim tsh, t3/4 levels
TSH low, T3/4 high
Secondary hyperthyroidism
TSH high, T3/4 high
Primary hypothyroidism
TSH high, T3/4 low
Secondary hypothyroidism
TSH low, T3/4 low
Anti-thyroid perioxidase antibodies
Antibodies against the thyroid gland (most relevant thyroid autoantibody in autoimmune thyroid disease); Graves disease and Hashimoto thyroidits
Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-Tg)
Antibodies against thyroglobulin (protein produced in the thyroid). Might be present in healthy individuals but raised in Grave’s disease, Hashmioto’s thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer
TSH receptor antibodies
Autoantibodies that mimic TSH and bind to the TSH receptor – they stimulate thyroid hormone release and cause Grave’s disease.
Radioisotope scans – diffuse high uptake
Grave’s disease
Radioisotope scans – focal high uptake
Toxic multinodular goitre and adenomas
Radioisotope scans – cold areas, abnormally low uptake
Thyroid cancer
Hyperthyroidism
Over production of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4
Thyrotoxicosis
Abnormal and excessive quantity of thyroid hormones
Primary hyperthyroidism
Thyroid pathology, thyroid produces excessive thyroid hormones
Secondary hyperthyroidism
Due to pathology in hypothalamus or pituitary when pituitary produces too much TSH, stimulating thyroid to produce excessive thyroid hormone
Subclinical hyperthyroidism
Thyroid hormones are normal but TSH is suppressed
Grave’s disease
Autoimmune condition of primary hyperthyroidism, as TSH receptor antibodies stimulate TSH receptors to produce thyroid hormones
Toxic multinodular goitre (Plummer’s disease)
Nodules develop on thyroid and produce excessive thyroid hormones
Exophthalmos
Proptosis – bulging of eyes due to Grave’s (due to presence of TSH receptor antibodies behind eyes, that swell)
Pretibial myxodema
Deposits of glycosaminoglycans/mucin under skin, specific to Grave’s disease, due to TSH receptor antibodies
Causes of hyperthyroidism
- G – Graves’ disease
- I – Inflammation (thyroiditis)
- S – Solitary toxic thyroid nodule
- T – Toxic multinodular goitre
Thyroiditis
Initial hyperthyroid then hypothyroid
Causes of thyroiditis
- De Quervain’s thyroiditis
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Postpartum thyroiditis
- Drug-induced thyroiditis
Features of hyperthyroidism
- Anxiety and irritability
- Sweating and heat intolerance
- Tachycardia
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Frequent loose stools
- Sexual dysfunction
- Brisk reflexes on examination
Grave’s specific features
(due to presence of TSH receptor antibodies)
* Diffuse goitre (without nodules)
* Graves’ eye disease, including exophthalmos
* Pretibial myxoedema
* Thyroid acropachy (hand swelling and finger clubbing)
Solitary toxic thyroid nodule
Benign adenoma; Tx is surgical removal
De Quervain’s Thyroiditis
- Thyrotoxicosis (excess T3/4, thyroid swelling, flu-like ilnness, raised ESR and CRP)
- Hypothyroidism
- Return to normal
What is a long term rish of De Quervain’s thyroiditis
<10% of pts remain hypothyroid
Tx for De Quervain’s Thyroiditis
- NSAIDs for symptoms of pain and inflammation
- Beta blockers for the symptoms of hyperthyroidism
- Levothyroxine for the symptoms of hypothyroidism
Thyroid storm
/thyrotoxic crisis/ Rare representation of hyperthyroidism
More severe presentation of hyperthyroidism (fever, tachy, delirium) – might need fluid resuscitation, anti-arrhythmic, and b blockers
Mx of thyroid storm
Carbimazole – 1st line, anti-thyroid, taken 12-18months
Propylthiouracil – 2nd line
Radioactive iodine
B blockers
surgery
Maintenance dose of carbimazole
- Titrated to maintain normal thyroid levels
- Higher dose of carbimazole to block all production and levothyroxine to replace thyroid hormones
SE of carbimazole
Pancreatitis
SE of propylthiouracil
Liver reactions and death
SE of anti-thyroid medications
(propylthiouracil, carbimazole) – agranulocytosis (v low WBC) – low immunity, presenting with sore throat
Radioactive iodine treatment
Drinking a single dose of radioactive iodine, proportion of thyroid cells is destroyed and there is a reduction in thyroid hormone production – remission is 6 months and thyroid is then ofter underactive requiring levothyroxine treatment
Rules of tx with radioactive iodine
- No pregnancy or breastfeeding
- No pregnancy within the next 6 months
- No fathering within 4 months (men)
- Limit contact with people afterward (especially pregnant and children)
B Blockers in thyroid storm
Block the adrenalin-related symptoms of hypothyroidism (propranolol)
Surgery in thyroid storm
Thyroidectomy; definitive treatment; pt then requires life long levothyroxine
Primary hypothyroidism
Thyroid produces inadequate t3 and t4 (thyroid hormones); low t3/4 cause no negative feedback so TSH raises.
Secondary hypothyroidism
Pituitary gland produces too little TSH which causes understimulation of t3/4 production. All 3 are low.
Most common cause for hypothyroidism
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Autoimmune condition causing inflammation of the thyroid.
What antibodies are present in Hashimoto?
Anti TPO, anti Tg
Hyperthyroidism treatment
- Carbimazole
- Prophylthiouracil
- Radioactive iodine
- Thyroid surgery
Lithium and thyroid
Lithium inhibits the production of thyroid hormone; causing goitre and hypothyroidism
Amiodarone and thyroid
Causes hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis
Secondary hypothyroidism causes
Tumours (pituitary adenoma)
Surgery to pituitary
Sheehan’s syndrome
Trauma
radiotherapy
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
- Fluid retention
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Constipation
What causes goitre?
Iodine deficiency
Hashimoto thyroiditis and thyroid structure
Initially causes a goitre, then atrophy of thyroid
Mx of hypothyroidism
Oral levothyroxine (synthetic t4), titrated every 4 weeks
Alternative drug to levothyroxine
Liothyronine sodium (synthetic t3) when levothyroxine is not tolerated.
T1D
Pancreas is unable to produce adequate insulin (hence body cells can’t absorb glucose) -> hyperglycaemia
What viruses may trigger T1D
Coxsackie B
Enterovirus
Hyperglycaemia symptoms
- Polyuria (excessive urine)
- Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
- Weight loss (mainly through dehydration)
Or diabetic ketoacidosis
Where are carbohydrates absorbed?
Small intestine
Ideal blood glucose concentration
4.4-6.1 mmol/L
Where is insulin produced?
Beta cells in Islets of Langerhans in pancreas
What kind of hormone is insulin?
Anabolic hormone (building hormone)
Actions of insulin
Reduces blood sugar:
- Absorbs glucose into the cells
- Causes muscle and liver to absorb glucose and store it as glycogen (glycogenesis)
Where is glucagon produced
By alpha cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
Actions of glucagon
Responds to low blood sugar levels and stress and works to increase blood sugar levels – by acting on liver to break down the stored glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis)
- Also acts of liver to convert protein and fat into glucose (gluconeogenesis)
Ketogenesis
Production of ketones in event on insufficient glucose and exhausted glycogen stores (in fasting)
- Liver takes fatty acids and converts them to ketones
Ketones
Water soluble fatty acids, they can cross blood prain barrier
Ketosis symptom
Acetone smell to breath