Metabolic Medicine

Question 1

What are other causes of hypercalcaemia other than the 2 main causes?

Answer 1

Sarcoidosis
Vitamin D intoxication
Acromegaly 
Thiazide-like diuretics 
Addison's disease

Question 2

What are causes of hypokalaemia + acidosis?

Answer 2

Type 1 and 2 Renal tubular acidosis.

Diarrhoea

Question 3

What are causes of hypokalaemia + alkalosis?

Answer 3

Vomiting
Thiazide diuretics
Salbutamol
Cushing’s
Hyperaldosteronism

Question 4

What are symptoms of hyponatraemia?

Answer 4

Headache, lethargy
Nausea + vomiting
Dizziness + confusion

Question 5

What electrolyte abnormality can respiratory alkalosis cause?

Answer 5

Hypocalcaemia

Often seen in panic attacks as perioral paraesthesia

Question 6

Which type of renal tubular acidosis can cause osteomalacia/Rickets?

Answer 6

Type 2

Question 7

Which type of renal tubular acidosis can cause renal stones?

Answer 7

Type 1

Question 8

How does central pontine myelinosis present?

Answer 8

Dysarthria, dysphagia, paraparesis or quadriparesis, seizures, confusion, and coma

Locked in syndrome

Question 9

When should you suspect familial hypercholesterolaemia?

Answer 9

Total cholesterol level >7.5
Personal/family history of CVD event before 60 years
Tendon xanthomata

Question 10

How can hyperlipidaemia affect sodium levels?

Answer 10

Causes a pseudohyponatraemia

Question 11

What are causes of low albumin and how does it present?

Answer 11

Malabsorption
Liver disease
Increased loss through the. kidneys e.g. nephrotic syndrome

Peripheral oedema
Ascites