W16 59 diabetes and endocrine disease Flashcards
What is a hormone?
Substance produced in one part of the body, secreted into the bloodstream, transported to a different organ/tissue where it acts to modify structure of function.
What are the different types of hormones? Give examples
Peptide hormones: insulin, pituitary hormones, PTH
Steroids: cortisol, testosterone, oestrogen
Tyrosine derivatives: thyroid hormones, epinephrine
What are the major functions of the anabolic (builds up tissue) hormone insulin?
Moves glucose out of the bloodstream for storage/building
Maintains supply of glucose to tissues
Regulates metabolism in muscle
Promotes protein synthesis
Inhibits breakdown of fat
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
A group of metabolic diseases characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. The lack of insulin can lead to damage of blood vessels or nerves after a long time.
What are the non-specific symptoms of DM?
Polyuria - weeing a lot
Polydipsia - very thirsty (glucose is osmotic and when in blood more will be urinated out, taking in more water, so thirst)
Weight loss - cells cant use the glucose so people waste away
Fatigue - low energy as cant use glucose
Glucosuria and hyperglycaemia.
How are diabetes diagnoses made?
Fasting plasma glucose >=7mmol/L
Random plasma glucose >=11.1mmol/L
What is the oGTT?
Oral glucose tolerance test
Diabetes if level >=11.1mmol/L
How is HbA1c a measure of diabetes?
If you have an excess amount of glucose in bloodstream, it will bind to haemoglobin, and correlates. Thus HbA1c, measured. Gives an idea of the average blood glucose over the past 3 months.
What should the HbA1c level be?
If below 5.7% - pt has no diabetes
>6.5% - pt has diabetes
(between need more tests, fasting glucose or oGTT)
What are some oral manifestations/complications of diabetes?
- Compromises the immune system - wound healing impaired; prone to infection; prolonged recovery
- dental caries
- periodontitis - high levels of CRP correlate with inflammation
- xerostomia
- altered taste
- parotid gland enlargement
- mucosal diseases eg lichen planus, lichenoid drug reactions
Main difference between type I and type II diabetes?
Type I - autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the islets of Langerhands in the pancreas.
Type II - disorders of insulin secretion and insulin action - insulin resistance or beta cell failure.
Treatment of type I diabetes
Insulin replacement necessary - via injections or insulin pump
Monitoring of blood glucose is vital - basal bolus: 4 injections daily; mixed insulin - 2-3 injections daily; long-acting insulin only 1-2 injections daily.
Treatment of type II diabetes
(in order of disease progression)
1. Diet and exercise to promote weight loss (reduces insulin resistance)
2. Oral treatment with drugs - single or combined therapy
3. Insulin - in combination with drugs - full insulin - replacement (when pancreas completely shuts down)
What things should you know about a patient’s diabetes?
Type
Treatment
Level of glycaemic control - when it has been checked last. Poorly controlled diabetes will more likely develop complications.
how should you manage diabetes in practice?
try not to omit meals (increases risk of hypo)
plan breaks for snacks
regular glucose checks during longer procedures
avoid procedures in uncontrolled diabetes
plan ahead with local diabetes team for major procedures
never pause insulin in Type I
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia
dizziness, confusion, eventual loss of consciousness
(some wont even notice)
treatment of hypo
PO (glucogel, lucozade)
IM (glucagon)
IV (dextrose 10% or 20%) - not chocolate as not fast acting
what medical emergencies can arise in diabetics?
hypoglycaemia
hyperglycaemia
What can hyperglycaemia lead to?
Ketoacidossis
Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia state (HHS)
What is ketoacidosis?
Build-up of ketone bodies in bloodstream, lowers pH. Leads to coma and death. Treat with insulin and IV fluids. More type 1.
What is hyperosomolar hyperglycaemia state (HHS)?
Presentation is very high glucose (more than 30) and dehydration. Treat with fluids. More type 2.
What are some micro vascular complications of diabetes?
Eyes, kidneys, nerves
Retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy
Hypertension also contributes to retinopathy and neuropathy.
Why does diabetes cause these complications?
Prolonged exposure to hyperglycaemia becomes toxic when glucose remains in blood.
What are the macrovascular complications of diabetes?
Heart, blood vessels
Cardiovascular disease and stroke
Due to lipid disorders
All contribute to damage of the heart