Pituitary gland Flashcards
Posterior pituitary produces what two hormones?
ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
Oxytocin
What hormones are produced by the anterior pituitary?
TSH
FSH and LH
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
Dopamine from the hypothalamus upregulates the secretion of Prolactin from the Pituitary (T/F)
False
-dopamine inhibits prolactin secretion
What is a common complication of piuitary gland hypertrophy / tumour?
Compression of the optic chiasma
-vision disturbance
What does the insulin stress test measure?
Pituitary function
-Cortisol and Growth Hormone response
What drugs can lead to increased prolactin secretion?
Metoclopramide (dopamine antagonist)
Antipsychotics (Phenothiazines)
Raised prolactin can result from Hypothyroidism (T/F)
True
How does raised prolactin present in males?
- impotence
- abnormal visulal field
How does prolactonoma present in females?
galactorrhoea
menstrual irregularity, loss of menstruation
infertility
Carbergoline is a drug used in Prolactinoma. How does it work?
Dopamine agonist
What is measured in acromegaly diagnosis?
Glucose Tolerance Test
-measure Growth Hormone
Insulin-like growth factor 1
What drug classes are used in Acromegaly treatment?
Somatostatin Analogues
-Sandostatin
Dopamine Agonists
-Cabergoline
GH Antagonists
-Pegvisomant
What are the causes of Hypopituitarism?
- Pituitary tumours
- Local brain tumours (comporession)
- Granulomatous disease (TB, sarcoidosis)
- Trauma (skull fractures)
What are the possible presentations of Hypopituitarism in males?
Impotence
Gynaecomastia
Loss of facial, axillary and pubic hair
What are the possible presentations of hypoputuitarism in females?
Menstrual irregularities
Infertility
How is hypopituitarism diagnosed?
Pituitary stimulation test
What is the treatment in hypopituitarism?
Supplement hormones
- thyroxine
- hydrocortisone
- ADH
- GH
- Sex steroids (males: testosterone; females: HRT)
What are the side effects of Testosterone Replacement?
Prostate enlargement
Polycythaemia
-excess RBCs
Hepatitis
-from tablets
How is Diabetes Insipidus diagnosed?
Water deprivation test
-can kidneys concentrate urine
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yes
What are the complications of large Pituitary Adenomas?
- defects of visual field
- pressure atrophy of surrounding tissue (function decreases)
- infarction leading to loss of anterior pituitary hormone secretion
What are the causes of Adrenal hyperfunction (3)?
Hyperplasia
-congenital / Cushing’s
- Adenoma
- Carcinoma
What can cause acute adrenocorcical insufficiency?
Rapid withdrawal of steroid treatment
Name 2 Adrenal Medullary Tumours.
Pheochromocytoma
Neuroblastoma
