What Is It, What Does It Do, Where Does It Come From? Flashcards
TRH
Thyroxine Releasing Hormone. Stimulates the release of TSH. Comes from the Hypothalamus.
DOPE
Dopamine Hormone. Stimulates feeling of pleasure and inhibits PRL. Comes from the hypothalamus
GHRH
Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone. Stimulates the release of hGH. Comes from the hypothalamus
ADH/Vasopressin
Anti Diuretic Hormone. Stimulates the reabsorption of water in the kidneys by making the collecting ducts permeable. Comes from the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary (stored)
CRH
Corticotropin Releasing Hormone. Stimulates the release of ACTH. Comes from the hypothalamus
hGH
Human Growth Hormone. Stimulates the release of IGF-1, promotes growth, and influences metabolism. Comes from the anterior pituitary
TSH
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. Stimulates the release of T3 and T4. Comes from the anterior pituitary
ACTH
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone. Stimulates the release of cortisol, androgens, and aldosterone. Comes from the anterior pituitary
FSH
Follicle Stimulating Hormone. Stimulates the follicles in the ovaries to mature. Comes from the anterior pituitary
GnRH
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone. Stimulates the release of LH and FSH. Comes from the hypothalamus
LH
Luteinizing Hormone. Stimulates ovulation and makes the corpus luteum make progesterone. Comes from the anterior pituitary
PRL
Prolactin. Stimulates the production of milk and growth of mammary glands; it’s suppressed by DOPE. Comes from the anterior pituitary
PTH
Parathyroid Hormone. Increases Ca in blood by 1) bone resorption 2) increasing reabsorption in kidneys and 3) enhanced absorption of Ca from intestine. Comes from the parathyroid gland
T3
Triiodothyronine. Controls metabolism, growth, body temp and heart rate; active form. Comes from the thyroid and from T4
T4
Thyroxine. The inactive form of T3; longer 1/2 life. Comes from the thyroid
Renin
Enzyme. Converts Angiotensinogen into Angiotensin I; so it’s involved in controlling blood pressure. Comes from the kidneys
Calcitonin
Hormone. Reduces Ca in blood by doing the opposite of PTH; 1) promotes bone deposition 2) increases renal excretion of Ca and 3) inhibits absorption from the intestine; also reduced PO4 lvls when high. Comes from the thyroid
EPO
Erythropoietin hormone. Stimulates the formation of RBCs. Comes from the kidneys
1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D
Calcitriol; active form of Vitamin D. Promotes Ca and PO4 absorption in the gut and kidneys; NOT the preferred marker for Vit D. Gets activated in the kidneys.
Tg
Thyroglobulin. Iodide storage, helps the thyroid make T3 and T4; mainly measured for the monitoring of recurrent thyroid cancer. Comes from the thyroid
antiTg-ab
Anti Thyroglobulin Antibody. Cause of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis; also measured with Tg to avoid false +/- results in the investigation of recurrent thyroid cancer.
Aldosterone
Mineralocorticoid hormone. Increases absorption of sodium in exchange of K/H ions, thus, increasing H2O reabsorptions; increases blood pressure. Comes from the adrenals
Cortisol
Glucocorticoid Hormone. Body response to stress/danger; opposite function to insulin 1) Promotes glucogenolysis (inc. blood gluc) 2) lipolysis (inc. FFAs) and 3) proteolysis (inc. AAs). Uncontrolled release in Cushing’s, suppressed release in Addison’s. Comes from the adrenals
Estrogen
Androgen. Plays a role in puberty and the menstrual cycle (ovulation and thickening of endometrium. Comes from ovaries and in smaller amounts the adrenals
Testostrone
Androgen. Regulates libido, bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass, and the production of RBCs and sperm. Comes from the gonads (testes and ovaries) and in smaller quantities, the adrenals.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
Catecholamines. Fight or flight response; they open airways, increase blood pressure; which is why it’s used for anaphylaxis. Comes from the adrenals
25-hydroxyvitamin D
Calcifediol. Inactive form of vitamin D; BETTER at estimating Vit D conc since it has a longer 1/2 life and shows substrate availability. Produced by the liver.
Angiotensinogen
Prohormone. Gets cleaved by Renin into Angiotensin I. Produced by the liver
Hepcidin
Hormone. Reduces blood Fe by binding to ferroportin; so no more Fe gets absorbed and the rest is trapped in cells. Produced by the liver
IGF-1 & 2
Insulin-like Growth Factors 1 & 2. Stimulates growth and has some insulin-like properties (gluc uptake). Comes from the liver
TPO
(thrombopoietin)
hormone. Regulates production of platelets. Comes from the liver
antiTPO-ab
(no #3)
(thyroid peroxidase)
Anti-TPO antibodies. They attack thyroid tissue; presence suggests autoimmune cause for thyroid disease (e.g. Hashimoto’s or Grave’s).
ANP and BNP
Atrial and Brain Natriuretic Peptides; hormones. Stimulated by heart wall stretch (heart failure, hypoxia); decreases vascular resistance and venous pressure as well as an increase in natriuresis, so a decrease in BP. Comes from the heart
Insulin
Hormone. Stores gluc as glycogen (decr. blood glucose, increases lipogenesis and increases protein synthesis. Comes from the pancreas
Glucagon
Hormone. Stimulates glycolysis (incr. blood gluc), increases lipolysis, and increases protein metabolism. Comes from the pancreas
Aromatase
No #3
Enzyme. Converts androgens (testosterone) into estrogen, causes gynecomastia.
17-OH Progesterone
Hormone. Precursor of cortisol; used to Dx Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) when there’s a 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Produced by the adrenals
21-Hydroxylase
No #3
Enzyme. Converts 17-OH progesterone into cortisol; its absence causes classical CAH
Creatinine
Waste product of muscle. Comes from creatine and phosphocreatine; used to assess kidney function: increased CREAT indicates impaired renal excretion.
Urea
Waste product. Used to assess renal function: High indicates impaired renal excretion or too much protein breakdown. Comes from deamination of AAs (conversion of NH3 to Urea)
NH3
Ammonia. Can get converted into ammonium (NH4) which is neurotoxic; high amounts may indicate impaired renal function, liver disease, or congenital urea disorders in neonates. Waste product that comes from deamination of proteins.
Transferrin
Protein. Main iron transport; high in iron deficiency anemia. Produced by the liver
Ferritin
Protein. Main iron storage; acute phase reactant (APR); raised in inflammation, liver disease, kidney disease, iron overload, and malignancy. Secreted by macrophages, kidneys and liver.
TIBC
No #3
Total Iron Binding Capacity; calculation. Available iron binding sites on transferrin; measures serum Iron and unbound transferrin
Indirect bilirubin
Unconjugated bilirubin. Travels from the blood to the liver; water insoluble so it travels bound to albumin in serum; it can’t be filtered in the kidneys so it shouldn’t be in urine. Made from RBC breakdown.
Direct bilirubin
Conjugated bilirubin. Water soluble; forms part of bile and is excreted through intestines. Comes from conjugation of unconjugated bilirubin in the liver.
ALP
Alkaline Phosphatase enzyme. Marker for hepatobiliary injury (e.g. cholestatic liver injury) or bone disease; you can measure isoenzymes to know the origin of the ALP. Comes from the liver and bones.
AST
Aspartate Transaminase enzyme. Used to diagnose liver disease, but can also indicate other disorders (heart problems and pancreatitis). Mainly found in the liver and heart, but also in small amounts in muscle.
ALT
Alanine Transaminase enzyme. Used as a marker for liver injury. Mainly found in the liver and kidneys.
GGT
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase enzyme. Used to detect diseases of the liver or bile ducts. Comes from the liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, and brain.
ACE
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme. Converts Angiotensin I into Angiotensin II, which is a vasoconstrictor; ACE inhibitors are used to treat heart failure and high BP. Comes from the lungs
AFP
Alpha-Fetoprotein. Used to Dx fetal distress or abnormalities; in adults, it’s used to detect certain liver diseases and cancer. Produced by the liver and yolk sac of the fetus.
Albumin
Protein (carrier). Prevents fluids from leaking from blood vessels; high indicates dehydration, low indicates liver/kidney disease. Produced by the liver.
ACR
No #3
Albumin:Creatinine Ratio. Helps Dx kidney disease that occurs due to diabetes. High = Kidney disease.
Amylase
Enzyme. Helps digest carbs; used to Dx pancreatic problems (gallstones, pancreatitis, cancer), alcoholism, cystic fibrosis, bulimia. Comes from the pancreas and salivary glands.
Cobalamin
Vit B12. Needed to form RBC and DNA; low levels can arise from pernicious anaemia and intestinal malabsorption. Comes from animal foods.
HCO3
Bicarbonate. Maintains pH balance, increase can compensate for respiratory acidosis. Produced by the stomach and pancreas.
Bile Acids
Product of cholesterol metabolism. Promotes absorption of lipids; in lab, it’s a marker of liver disease and an indicator for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy; high lvls causes pruritus (itchiness). Formed in the liver
C-Peptide
Byproduct. Can help Dx pancreatic cancer, kidney failure, Cushing syndrome or Addison disease; also helps differentiate between T1 and T2 DM (present in T2). Comes from the pancreas when it produces insulin.
CRP
C-Reactive Protein. APR; marker of acute and chronic inflammation; high in infections, IBS, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune disorders, etc. Produced by the liver
CA-125
No #3
Cancer biomarker. Used to Dx and monitor ovarian cancer (endometrial, peritoneal and fallopian tube cancers too). Use with caution, may be raised in menstruation and uterine fibroids.
CA15-3
Cancer biomarker. Used to monitor breast cancer. Not used for Dx since it’s a late marker. Can be raised in endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, liver disease, and pregnancy
CARBAMAZEPINE
No #3
Drug. Anticonvulsant medication
Carboxyhemoglobin
No #3
RBC+Carbon Monoxide. Marker of CO poisoning.
CK
Creatine Kinase. Marker of tissue dmg, it leaks from tissue into bloodstream; inflammation and muscular diseases.
Found in skeletal muscle, heart muscle and brain.
Cystatin C
No #3
Protein. Kidney function marker: High indicates impaired excretion.
Calcium
No #3
Mineral. Used for bone growth, platelet activation, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission; abnormal levels indicate bone disease, thyroid disease, parathyroid disorders, kidney disease, etc.
Calcium (Urine)
No #1 or #3
Calcium measured in urine. Same function as blood Ca as a marker. Used specifically for familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH)
Cl
No #3
Chloride. Regulates fluid going in and out of the cells, maintains pH levels, stimulates stomach acid, stimulates nerve and muscle cells, and facilitates the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide within cells. Used to investigate imbalance of acids or fluids
HDL-Cholesterol
No #3
High Density Lipoprotein. Absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver; high levels lower risk for heart disease and stroke
LDL-Cholesterol
No #3
Low-Density Lipoprotein. Makes up most of cholesterol in body; can raise your risk of heart disease and stroke
Triglycerides
No #3
Lipid. High triglycerides may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Extra calories consumed get converted to triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells for later use.
DHEAS
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. DHEAS get converted into androgens and estrogen, necessary for development of male sex characteristics in puberty and for reproduction in all sexes; measured to Dx adrenal disorders or tumours. Produced by the adrenals
Digoxin
No #3
Drug. Used to treat arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation
Folate
Folic Acid, vit B9. Nutrient needed to make RBCs, similar role to vit B12; measured in investigations of anaemia or neuropathy.
FAI
No #3
Free Androgen Index. Used to investigate abnormal androgen levels. Baseline investigation for suspected hyperandrogenism in women.
HbA1c
No #3
Glycosylated haemoglobin. Measured to monitor and diagnose DM.
HP
Haptoglobin protein. Binds to haemoglobin that’s outside the RBCs and brings it to the liver for excretion; used to diagnose hemolytic anemia (low lvls). Made in the liver
5-HIAA
No #3
5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid. Waste product of serotonin found in urine, high levels indicate carcinoid tumour (produces serotonin)
K
Potassium. High levels indicate kidney disease,
Addison disease, adrenal gland disorder, Injuries, burns, or surgery that can cause your cells to release extra potassium into your blood. Low levels indicate diuretics, diarrhea, vomiting, or heavy sweating, laxatives, Cushing’s, aldosteronism, Kidney disease, alcoholism
Lactate
No #3
Lactic Acid. Made in anaerobic metabolism, decreases pH; High levels observed when tissue can’t get oxygen (Shock, Heart failure, Lung diseases, Anemia, Severe infection and sepsis) or can’t excrete it (liver/kidney disease, diabetes, leukemia, mitochondrial disorders)
LDH
Lactate dehydrogenase. Tissue dmg marker. Highest concentrations in kidney, muscle and liver.
Li
No #3
Lithium, drug. It’s an anti-psychotic.
Lipase
Enzyme. Helps absorb fats; used to Dx problems with the pancreas and other conditions (pancreatitis, Cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s, Celiac disease). Produced by the pancreas
Mg
No #3
Magnesium. It’s an important cofactor mainly stored in bone and tissues (not much in blood). COFACTOR FOR PTH! LOW MG GOES WITH LOW PTH. High Mg indicates renal failure, Low Mg is usually accompanied by low Ca and K.
Calculated Serum Osmolarity
(Formula)
(2x[Na]) + [glucose] + [BUN]
(in mmol/L)
Paracetamol
No #3
Acetaminophen. Non-opioid analgesic used to treat mild to moderate pain and fever.
NSAIDS
No #3
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Salicylates; Aspirin and Ibuprofen. Can cause kidney and liver damage.
Phenylalanine
Amino Acid. Used to screen phenylketonuria (PKU) in newborns; the body can’t break down PHE so there’s an accumulation; it’s neurotoxic and can lead to intellectual disability, seizure, and microcephaly.
Phenytoin
No #3
Drug. Anticonvulsant
PO4
Phosphate. Both Ca and PO4 are stored in bones; PTH will lower PO4 and increase Ca; High amounts are found in kidney disease, bone disorders, and parathyroid disorders.
Porphyrins
No #3
Chemical, precursors of heme. Measured in urine to Dx porphyria, which is when one of the 8 enzymes involved in the formation of heme fucks up and there’s an accumulation of precursors.
PCR
Protein:Creatinine ratio. Measure of kidney function.
Uric Acid
Breakdown product of purines. High amounts are caused by rhabdomyolisis, Fanconi syndrome, and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.
High amounts can lead to gout, kidney stones or kidney dmg.
Xantochromia
Yellow colouration of CSF. Caused by the presence of bilirubin hours after experiencing a SAH.
Troponin I
Enzyme. Marker for myocardial infarction, stays up longer than CK. Made by the heart.
SHBG
Sex hormone binding globulin. Controls the amount of active sex hormones in the blood by binding to them; investigation if there’s abnormal testosterone; Made in the liver
TPO
(thyroid)
Thyroid Peroxidase enzyme. Helps make T3 and T4, mainly measured when suspicion of autoimmune thyroid issue. Comes from the thyroid
