Module 1: Hormones

Question 1

Insulin: where it is produced, target, function, clinical conditions

Answer 1

Produced: pancreatic beta cells
Target: liver, adipocytes, general
Function: lowers blood glucose
Clinical conditions:

Question 2

Glucagon: where it is produced, target, function, clinical conditions

Answer 2

Produced: pancreatic alpha cells
Target: liver, adipocytes
Function: raises blood glucose
Clinical conditions:

Question 3

Calcitonin: where it is produced, target, function, clinical conditions

Answer 3

Produced: thyroid
Target: osteoclasts
Function: inhibits bone resorption, lowers blood Ca, raises bone phosphorus
Clinical conditions:

Question 4

Parathyroid hormone (PTH): where it is produced, target, function, clinical conditions

Answer 4

Produced: parathyroid
Target: osteoclasts, kidneys, intestines
Function: stimulates bone resorption, raises blood Ca, lowers bone phosphorus
Clinical conditions:

Question 5

Aldosterone: where it is produced, target, function, clinical conditions

Answer 5

Produced: adrenal cortex
Target: kidney
Function: sodium reabsorption
Clinical conditions:

Question 6

Cortisol: where it is produced, target, function, clinical conditions

Answer 6

Produced: adrenal cortex
Target: muscle, liver, general
Function: protein and carb metabolism, raises blood glucose
Clinical conditions:

Question 7

Primary hyperthyroidism: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 7

Gland: thyroid
Cause: excess thyroid hormone production leading to increased metabolism
Lab: low TSH, high T3, T4, FT4

Question 8

Graves disease: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 8

Gland: thyroid
Cause: autoimmune stimulation of TSH receptors
Lab: low TSH, high T3, T4, FT4, autoantibodies

Question 9

Secondary hyperthyroidism: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 9

Gland: pituitary/hypothalamus
Cause: increased TRH by hypothalamus and/or increased TSH by anterior pituitary
Lab: high TSH, T3, T4

Question 10

Primary hypothyroidism (myxoedema): main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 10

Gland: thyroid
Cause: removal, antithyroid medication overdose, atrophy, thyroid antibodies (fibrosis)
Lab: low T4, FT4, high TSH

Question 11

Hashimoto’s: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 11

Gland: thyroid (results in hypothyroidism)
Cause: autoantibodies (fibrosis)
Lab: high TSH, low FT4, FT3

Question 12

Cushing’s disease: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 12

Gland: pituitary
Cause: over secretion of ACTH by benign tumor
Lab: ACTH, blood glucose, PRL 24hr urine (free cortisol)
Clinical: redistribution of fat to face and trunk, rapid protein breakdown

Question 13

Acromegaly: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 13

Gland: pituitary
Cause: over secretion of hGH and IGF-I
Lab: GH level, thyroid tests, IGF-I, glucose tolerance
Clinical: tissue enlargement, esp bones of hands, feet, face, jaw

Question 14

Diabetes insipidus: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 14

Gland:
Cause:
Lab:
Clinical:

Question 15

Cushing’s syndrome: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 15

Gland: adrenal gland
Cause: over secretion of cortisol (usually benign tumor)
Lab: serum cortisol, 24hr urine cortisol, DHEA-S level
Clinical: same symptoms as Cushing’s disease

Question 16

Addison’s disease: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 16

Gland: adrenal gland
Cause: autoimmune adrenal gland destruction
Lab: cortisol, ACTH, cortrosyn stimulation
Clinical: under active adrenal gland, GI symptoms, weakness, dizziness, fainting, darkened skin, difficulty dealing with physical stress

Question 17

Conn’s syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism): main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 17

Gland: adrenal gland
Cause: small tumors causing increased aldosterone (salt retention)
Lab: aldosterone, renin, Hct, K, Na
Clinical: high BP, low K, disrupted biochem balance and muscle function

Question 18

Hyperparathyroidism (hypercalcemia): main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 18

Gland: parathyroid
Cause: benign tumor (overproduction of PTH)
Lab: Ca, phosphate, PTH, VD125
Clinical: high blood Ca, weakness, constipation, nausea, kidney stones

Question 19

Diabetes mellitus type I: main gland/hormone affected, cause, major lab findings, clinical symptoms

Answer 19

Gland:
Cause:
Lab:
Clinical: