physiology + pathology Flashcards
function of endocrine glands
endocrine glands secrete chemical substances (hormones) which travel through the bloodstream to effect changes in distant cells or organs
types of hormones
peptides and proteins (bind to cell surface receptors), amino acid derivatives, steroid derivatives (diffuse through plasma membrane and bind to intracellular receptors)
hypothalamic hormones
• thyrotropin releasing hormone
• gonadotropin releasing hormone
• corticotropin releasing hormone
• growth hormone releasing hormone
• growth hormone inhibitory hormone
• prolactin inhibiting hormone
growth hormone actions
promotes linear growth of skeleton in childhood, promotes growth of body tissues and intermediary metabolism, inhibits actions of insulin on carbs and lipids, increased protein synthesis and decreased catabolism of proteins and amino acids
regulation of growth hormone secretion
hypothalamic control: GH releasing hormone stimulates production of GH by somatotrophs –> GH stimulates secretion of IGF-1 by liver, somatostatin inhibits production of GH
thyroid and sex hormone stimulation of GH
negative feedback: IGF-1 inhibits GH and GnRH and stimulates somatostatin
factors affecting GH secretion
diurnal variation, age, body weight, stress, exercise, blood glucose, amino acids
tests for GH
exercise GH stimulation test, glucose tolerance test, IGF-1 blood conc test
NOTE: random blood glucose test for GH is not indicative because GH secretion is episodic
GH deficiency syndromes
- dwarfism: all physical parts of body develop in the appropriate proportions but rate of development decreased
- panhypothyroidism: tumour compressing pituitary gland –> ant pit cells destroyed –> hypothyroidism, decreased production of glucocorticoids by adrenal glands, suppressed secretion of GH
- Kallmann syndrome: congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
GH excess syndromes
- gigantism: excess GH before adolescence (and fusion of growth plates) leading to height increase and excessive growth of long bones, usually caused by pit gland tumour
- acromegaly: excess GH after adolescence, bones become thicker and soft tissues continue to grow –> lower jaw protrusion, forward slant of forehead, large nose feet hands, enlargement of soft tissue organs
antidiuretic hormone (ADH) actions
collecting ducts of renal tubules becomes permeable to water due to fusion of aquaporins into the collecting duct membrane, causing water to be reabsorbed into the blood –> urine is concentrated and in small volume
regulation of ADH secretion
- real decrease in ECF volume
- baroreceptors detecting change in ECF volume
low ECF volume causes ADH to be released from the posterior pituitary
causes of polydipsia (thirst) and polyuria (high urine output)
- diabetes mellitus causing osmotic diuresis
- diabetes insipidus causing ADH deficiency (central) or ADH resistance (nephrogenic)
- psychiatric cause (primary polydipsia)
T3 and T4 actions
- brain development in fetal and postfetal life
- growth (GH production)
- regulation of growth metabolism: increases basal metabolic rate, has thermogenic actions
tests for thyroid hormones
free T4 levels
NOT T3: can come from thyroid gland or other tissues, most serum T3 comes from the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3
NOT total T4: only free T4 is physiologically active and bound T4 doesn’t contribute to hyperthyroidism
hypothyroidism causes
primary hypothyroidism: disease affecting thyroid gland, T4 is low but TSH is high (eg Hashimoto Thyroiditis, dietary iodine deficiency)
secondary hypothyroidism: disease affecting pituitary gland, T4 is low and TSH is low/normal
symptoms of hypothyroidism
cretinism (in childhood cases), slow thinking, cold intolerance, slow HR, sluggishness, (may have a goiter)
hyperthyroidism causes
primary hyperthyroidism: disease affecting thyroid gland, T4 is high, TSH is low (eg Grave’s disease, subacute thyroiditis)
secondary hyperthyroidism: disease affecting pituitary gland, T4 is low, TSH is high/normal (eg TSH producing tumour in pituitary gland)
pathophysiology of Grave’s disease
• autoimmune condition where thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins stimulate thyroid gland to be overactive
• GRAVES SPECIFIC: exothalmos, proptosis, upper eyelid retraction, dryness and irritation of eyes
pathophysiology of subacute thyroiditis
• viral infection affecting thyroid gland, causing inflammation
• dying thyroid cells leak out preformed thyroid hormones into circulation
• disease subsides after a few weeks or months
symptoms of hyperthyroidism
heat intolerance, weight loss, increased HR, heart palpitations, fatigue and insomnia, hands tremor, nervousness, increased sweating, thyroid gland hyperplasia
pathophysiology of pheochromocytoma
tumour of adrenal medulla producing adrenaline and/or norepinephrine, resulting in increased BP, HF, pulmonary edema, stroke, sudden death
aldosterone actions
increases Na+ reabsorption in collecting ducts, increases ECF volume, enhances K+ secretion in collecting ducts