Thyroid problems Flashcards
Primary adrenal insufficiency/ Addison’s disease is caused by what?
Destruction of the adrenal glands
Secondary adrenal insufficiency is caused by what?
- Decreased secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
2. Dysfunction of the hypothalamus
Common causes of primary adrenal issuficiency?
Autoimmune disease Adrenalectomy Metastatic cancer Abdominal radiation therapy Drugs/toxins
Common causes of secondary adrenal insufficiency?
Cessation of long term corticosteroids (>2 weeks)
Pituitary tumors
Hypophysectomy
Postpartum pituitary necrosis
High dose pituitary/whole brain radiation
Neuromuscular S/sx of adrenal insufficiency?
Neuromuscular: Weakness, fatigue, muscle/joint pain
GI S/sx of adrenal insufficiency/addison’s disease?
Anorexia, n/v, abdominal pain,
weight loss, salt craving
Integumentary S/sx of adrenal insufficiency?
Darkened, bronzed hyperpigmentation OR Vitilgo
Cardiovascular S/sx of adrenal insufficiency?
Anemia, hypotension, hyponatremia,
hyperkalemia
GU S/sx of adrenal insufficiency?
Menstrual changes (female), impotence (male), loss of libido
Mental/psychosocial S/sx of adrenal insufficiency?
Emotional lability
What labs and imaging are evaluated in the diagnosing of adrenal insufficiency?
Labs: Electrolytes, Cortisol, ACTH
Imaging: CT, MRI
What is a complication of adrenal insufficiency?
Addisonian crisis
Why do we have to implement fall precautions for a patient in adrenal insufficiency?
Because Addisonian crisis can lead to severe hypovolemia, hypotension, and dehydration
What is the tx of adrenal insufficiency?
treat electrolyte imbalance (hyponatremia and hyperkalemia), hormone replacement w/ cortisol (prednisone) and a mineralocorticoid (fludrocortisone)
What should the patients monitor when taking Fludrocortisone?
Monitor BP and s/s of HTN and any weight gain/edema
What is Cushing’s disease?
Excess secretion of cortisol from adrenal cortex
What is the most common cause of Cushing’s diseaes?
glucocorticoid therapy
What are other causes of Cushing’s disease?
Autoimmune disorders
Cancer chemotherapy
Chronic fibrosis
What are some complications of Cushing’s disease?
Damage to heart, vascular, kidneys, eyes; Diabetes; Cardiac dysrhythmias; Adrenal crisis
What labs and imaging are used in the diagnosis of Cushing’s?
Labs: Electrolytes (glucose, sodium, calcium); CBC, including lymphocyte count; cortisol levels in the blood, saliva, and urine; Dexamethasone suppression testing.
Imaging: CT, MRI
What medication is used to tx Cushing’s?
Steroidogenesis inhibitors
What are Steroidogenesis inhibitors?
Interfere with ACTH production or adrenal hormone synthesis
What are surgical options for Cushing’s?
Transphenoidal hypo-physectomy (If pituitary cause) or Adrenalectomy (If adrenal cause)
What labs should we be monitoring with Cushing’s?
Serum glucose, potassium, electrolytes