Pituitary Flashcards
What hormone is in excess in Cushing’s syndrome?
Cortisol
What hormone is in excess in Cushing’s syndrome?
Cortisol
Which hormone pre-empts cortisol production?
ACTH
Where does ACTH come from?
Anterior pituitary
What characterises Cushing’s syndrome?
Moon shaped face Buffalo hump Central obesity Frontal balding in women Proximal myopathy Striae
True or False
Osteoporosis is associated with Cushings
True
True or False
Hypertension is associated with Cushings
True
True or False
Decreased appetite is associated with Cushing’s
False
Increased!
How is Cushing’s tested for?
High dose exogenous oral steroid should lead to low serum cortisol
What values are expected in a positive Cushing’s test?
> 100nmol/L is abnormal.
What other test can be done to measure cortisol?
24hr urine collection.
What values are expected in the 24hr urine collection?
Less than 250 is normal
What diurnal variation is present with cortisol?
Drops at midnight.
Peaks at 9AM
What is the definitive test for Cushing’s?
2 day 2mg/day dexamethosone
What value indicates a negative result in the definitive test?
More than 500
What is the main cause of Cushing’s syndrome?
Pituitary gland dysfunction
A cancer of where can also simulate Cushing’s?
Adrenal glands.
Usually an adenoma
What is the treatment for Cushing’s?
Removal of hypothalamus (hypophysectomy)
What drug treatments can be given for Cushing’s syndrome?
Metyrapone
Ketoconazole
What is an important factor to remember about ketoconazole?
Hepatotoxic
What is Pan Hypopituitarism?
failure of both anterior and posterior pituitary to produce hormones
What happens when the posterior pituitary is insufficient?
Diabetes Insipidus
What is the most common cause of hypopituitarism?
Pituitary tumours
True or False
Menstrual irregularities are a sign of anterior hypopituitarism
True
True or False
Excessive sweating is a sign of anterior hypopituitarism
False.
True or False
Loss of facial and pubic hair is a sign of hypopituitarism
True
True or False
Growth retardation is a sign of anterior hypopituitarism
True
If there was an excess of GH before puberty what would be the result?
Giantism
What is the Synacthen test?
ACTH stimulation
Which hormone pre-empts cortisol production?
ACTH
Where does ACTH come from?
Pituitary gland
What characterises Cushing’s syndrome?
Moon shaped face Buffalo hump Central obesity Frontal balding in women Proximal myopathy Striae
True or False
Osteoporosis is associated with Cushings
True
True or False
Hypertension is associated with Cushings
True