MT M 4.3 Endocrine System Medical conditions

Question 1

Disorders of the endocrine system

Answer 1

Homeostasis is a stable internal environment, and the endocrine system plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis within the body. Disorders of the endocrine system develop when there is an imbalance of the hormones that are produced by the system or when the target organ fails to respond to the hormone(s) produced.

Question 2

Hypersecretion

Answer 2

Hypersecretion is when there is too much hormone produced

Question 3

Hyposecretion

Answer 3

Hyposecretion is when there is too little hormone produced.

Question 4

Cushing’s disease

Answer 4

Cushing’s disease is a condition that develops when the adrenal cortex produces too much of the hormone cortisol. This can result from a tumor in the pituitary gland that causes the production of ACTH, which then stimulates the adrenal glands to produce too much hormone or a tumor in the adrenal gland itself. Symptoms that occur as a result of too much cortisol include muscle weakness, fatigue, mood swings, and easy bruising. Physical exam signs will include hypertension, increased body weight with fat deposits in the face (moon face), the upper back (buffalo hump), and the trunk, hirsutism, edema, and skin discoloration. Osteoporosis can also develop in these patients. The diagnosis is made through testing the cortisol levels in the blood and then determining the cause of the disease. Tumors may need surgical resection.

Question 5

Diabetes Mellitus

Answer 5

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease with abnormal glucose metabolism. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps with the entry of glucose into the cells of the body for metabolism or energy. Every cell in the body needs glucose; therefore, every cell in the body needs insulin. When insulin is either not produced by the pancreas or the cells of the body do not respond to insulin, diabetes mellitus develops.

Question 6

insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)

There are two subtypes of this disease Diabetes Mellitus

Answer 6

Patients with IDDM no longer produce insulin from the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Both subtypes develop hyperglycemia or elevated blood glucose levels.

Question 7

noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)

There are two subtypes of this disease Diabetes Mellitus

Answer 7

Patients with NIDDM continue to produce insulin from the pancreas; however, the cells throughout the body do not respond to the insulin.

Both subtypes develop hyperglycemia or elevated blood glucose levels.

Question 8

diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetes Mellitus

Answer 8

When blood glucose levels are elevated for prolonged periods of time, damage to the body’s tissues can occur, and the patient can become critically ill with diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a condition where the body is using fat as its main source of fuel rather than carbohydrates.

Question 9

Hypoglycemia

Common complications from diabetes mellitus

Answer 9

Common complications from diabetes mellitus include both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood glucose levels drop below the normal level and can lead to shock if not addressed promptly. The body’s tissues can become damaged after years of poor glucose control, and these complications are illustrated in Figure 4.4.

Question 10

Both forms of diabetes mellitus are chronic medical conditions

Answer 10

Both forms of diabetes mellitus are chronic medical conditions requiring daily management and close monitoring from an endocrinologist. Patients with IDDM are treated with insulin injections, and patients with NIDDM are treated with medications to increase cell sensitivity to insulin.

Question 11

Hyperthyroidism

Question 12

Hyperthyroidism

Answer 12

Hyperthyroidism is a condition where there is an excess of thyroid hormone secreted by the thyroid gland.

Question 13

Graves’ disease

common causes Hyperthyroidism

Answer 13

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease where antibodies stimulate the thyroid to produce too much T4.

Question 14

toxic multinodular goiter

common causes Hyperthyroidism

Answer 14

Toxic multinodular goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland that then produces too much thyroid hormone.

Question 15

thyroiditis

common causes Hyperthyroidism

Question 16

benign or malignant tumors

common causes Hyperthyroidism

Question 17

symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Answer 17

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include hyperactivity, nervousness, irritability, sweating, palpitations, weight loss, diarrhea, and easy fatigue. These symptoms are largely the result of an increased basal metabolic rate due to the increased thyroid hormone. Figure 4.5 shows the body systems that are affected and the symptoms that subsequently develop from hyperthyroidism.

Question 17

goal of treatment

hyperthyroidism

Answer 17

The goal of treatment is to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone. This is accomplished using medications, radioiodine treatment that destroys the thyroid tissue, or via surgical removal of part of the thyroid (partial thyroidectomy).

Question 18

Hypothyroidism

Answer 18

Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of thyroid hormone. It is most commonly caused by an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Other causes of hypothyroidism include treatments for hyperthyroidism, radiation treatments, thyroid surgery, and certain medications.

Question 19

symptoms of hypothyroidism

Answer 19

The symptoms of hypothyroidism are a result of the basal metabolic rate slowing down. Patients will complain of feeling tired and weak, dry skin, feeling cold, hair loss, weight gain, and dyspnea. Figure 4.6 shows the symptoms of hypothyroidism separated by body system.

Question 20

Treatment of hypothyroidism

Answer 20

Treatment of hypothyroidism involves supplementation with synthetic thyroid hormone.