Screening the Endocrine System Flashcards
endocrine system screening checklist
General health (fatigue, unexplained weight change, weakness)
Psychologic, cognitive (personality changes, memory loss, irritability)
Gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dysphagia, diarrhea, constipation)
Urogenital (impotence, intermittent urine stream, straining to void)
Musculoskeletal (muscle weakness, cramps, arthralgias, stiffness, bone pain)
Sensory (paresthesia, numbness)
Dermatologic (foot ulcerations, edema, dry skin, impaired wound healing)
Miscellaneous (temperature intolerance, visual changes, increased bruising,
orthostatic hypotension, increased thirst)
Pituitary Gland: diabetes insipidus
lack of secretion of vasopressin (ADH)
Signs and symptoms of diabetes insipidus
- polyuria, polydipsia
- dehydration
- fatigue
- irritability
- increased serum sodium
- decreased urine specific gravity
Pituitary Gland: Acromegaly
hypersecretion of growth hormone, most often due to a tumor in the pituitary gland
signs and symptoms of acromegaly
- bony enlargement
- amenorrhea
- diabetes melitus
- profuse sweating, or diaphoresis
- hypertension
- CTS, hand pain, and stiffness
- back pain (thoraco-lumbar)
Adrenal gland: Addison’s Disease
hyposecretion by adrenal glands, due to autoimmune response or tumor, treated with cortisol/hormone replacement
signs and symptoms of Addison’s disease
- dark pigmentation of skin
- hypotension
- progressive fatigue
- hyperkalemia
- GI disturbance
- arthralgias, myalgias
- tendon calcification
- hypoglycemia
Adrenal gland: cushings disease
- hypersecretion of cortisol by adrenal glands, due to tumor, excessive corticosteroids, or pituitary dysfunction
signs and symptoms of cushings disease
- weight gain
- fatty deposits, especially in the midsection and face (moon shaped) and between the shoulders and upper back (buffalo hump)
- thinning skin that bruises easily
- skin injuries that are slow to heal
- fatigue
- muscle weakness
Thyroid Gland: hyperthyroidism/Graves disease
hyperfunction = too much thyroid hormone
signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism/Graves disease
Elevation in body metabolism
Three major signs common in adult > 70
Tachycardia, fatigue, weight loss
Signs common in adults < 50
Tachycardia, hyperactive reflexes, increased sweating,
heat intolerance, fatigue, tremor, nervousness, polydipsia,
weakness, increased appetite, dyspnea, and weight loss
Other common signs/sxs
Periarthritis (shoulder especially)
Proximal muscle weakness and atrophy
Higher incidence of myasthenia gravis
thyroid gland: hypothyroidism
hypofuntion = insufficient thyroid hormone
signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism
Generalized depression in body metabolism Constipation Depression Dry hair and hair loss Dry skin Fatigue Greater sensitivity to cold Slow heart rate Swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter) Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight Carpal tunnel syndrome
Pancreas: diabetes melitus
deficient or defective insulin
long term sequela of DM
State of hyperglycemia Disruption in metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins Small vessel disease Large vessel vascular complications Neuropathies