Pituitary Gland Dysfunction Flashcards
Release of GH (somatotrope)
GHRH promoter
Somatostatin inhibitory
Actions of GH
GH leads to IGF-1 release and increased blood glucose leading to:
increased bone and cartilage mass/growth
increased protein synth/muscle synth
increased fat breakdown/TGA levels
Increased salt/H2O
gigantism
GIGANTISM-Growth hormone excess before puberty (before closure of the growth plates).
acromegaly
ACROMEGALY-GH excess after puberty (after completion of linear growth).
-acral/facial changes
-HA
-hyperhidrosis
-oligo/amenorrhea
OSA
-htn
dyslipidemia
parasthesias/carpal tunnel
impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes mellitus
Diagnosis of GH excess
Clinical Features of GH excess (old pictures are helpful), AND
Elevated IGF-1 level (age and gender matched)-best screening test. Integrated 24 h secretion. Long-half life.
Conversely, GH levels fluctuate widely over 24 hrs and normal values can overlap with GH-secreting tumors.
OGTT-GH test for equivocal cases, or post-op assessment of cure.
Pituitary MRI-macroadenomas are detected in greater than 80% of acromegaly.
Tx of acromegaly
Multidisciplinary: neurosurg, endocrinologist, neuropath, radiologist, radiation/onc
Tx:
surgery
med therapy (somatostatin analogs, GH receptor antag)
radiation therapy
Adult GH deficiency manifestations
Body Composition:
Increased Fat Deposition
Decreased Muscle Mass, Strength and Exercise Capacity
Bone Strength:
Increased Bone Loss and Fracture Risk
Metabolic and Cardiovascular Effects
Increased Cholesterol Levels
Increased Inflammatory and Prothrombotic Markers (C-reactive protein).
Psychological Well-Being:
Impaired Energy and Mood
Quality of Life
Growth hormone tx
- kids
- adults?: modest benefit
- no hard end points
Dx of AoGHD
Provocative testing for GH reserve:
limited reagents
-Gold standard: insulin induced hypoglycemia
Contraindications: Elderly, h/o seizure disorder, coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease.
GHRH-Arginine (second best test), although no longer available in U.S
Available tests: Arginine and glucagon stimulation tests
IGF-1 Level -Low (in the setting of multiple other pituitary hormone deficiencies). Must be age/gender-matched.
Hyperprolactinemia
Physiological
Pregnancy, suckling, sleep, stress
Pharmacological:
Estrogens (OCPs)
Antipsychotics, antidepressants (TCAs), anti-emetics (e.g., Reglan), opiates
Pathological
Pituitary Stalk Interruption
Hypothyroidism, chronic renal/liver failure, seizure
Prolactinoma
Most common functional pituitary adenoma
prolactinomas
F:M 10:1
Median age 34
Women: galactorrhea 30-80% menstrual irregularity infertility impairs GnRH pulse generator
Men: glactorrhea less than 30% visual field abnorm HA impotence EOM paralysis anterior pituitary malfunction
Prolactinoma Dx
Random PRL level
100-150 ng/dl with microadenomas
greater than 200-250 with macro
Pituitary MRI
Prolactin deficiency
Etiology: Severe pituitary (lactotrope) destruction from any cause (e.g., pituitary tumors, infiltrative diseases, infectious diseases, infarction, neurosurgery or radiation).
Clinical Presentation: Failed lactation in post-partum females, no known effect in males.
Diagnosis: low basal PRL level
Cortisol functions
“stress” hormone
Primary Functions:
Gluconeogenesis
Breakdown of Fat and Protein for Glucose Production
Control Inflammatory Reactions
Chronic cortisol excess
Changes in Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat Metabolism Peripheral Wasting of Fat/Muscle Central obesity, Moon facies, fat pads Osteoporosis Diabetes Hypertriglyceridemia
Changes in Sex Hormones
Amenorrhea/Infertility
Excess hair growth (women)
Impotence
Salt and Water Retention
HTN and Edema
Impaired Immunity
Neurocognitive Changes
ACTH dependent cortisol excess
- corticotrope adenoma (Cushing’s disease)
- Ectopic Cushing’s (ACTH/CRH tumors)
70-75% of endogenous hypercortisolism
ACTH independent cortisol excess
adrenal adenomas
adrenal carcinoma
nodular hyperplasia (micro or macro)
25-30%
Cushing’s predominance
female middle aged
Screening guidelines for cushing’s
pts with multiple and progressive “high discriminatory” features of Cushing’s
Plethoric/moon facies Wide (greater than 1 cm), violaceous striae (abdominal, axillary) Spontaneous Ecchymoses Proximal Muscle Weakness Early/Atypical Osteoporosis (atraumatic rib fx)
Cortisol rhythms
Episodic ACTH/cortisol secretions daily
Major ACTH/cortisol burst in the early morning (before awakening).
Cortisol Nadir 11-12 pm (assuming a normal sleep-wake cycle)
Cortisol binding
most bound to transcortin (cortisol binding globulin-CBG)
10-15% bound to albumin (less tightly)
5% free
Screening Tests for Cushing’s
Disrupted Circadian Rhythm:
Midnight Salivary or Serum Cortisol
Increased Filtered Cortisol Load :
24 hr Urine Free Cortisol
Attenuated Negative Feedback: Low Dose (1 mg) Dexamethasone Suppression test (11-12 p.m.)