Adrenal Disorders

Question 1

What is the common name for primary adrenal failure

Answer 1

Addison’s disease

Question 2

What is Addison’s disease

Answer 2

Primary adrenal failure

Question 3

What are the causes of Addison’s disease

Answer 3

Autoimmune disease where the immune system wipes out the adrenal cortex

Tuberculosis of the adrenal glands

Question 4

What are the clinical features of Addison’s

Answer 4

P - postural hypotension
E - everywhere tans
S - salt loss
H - high potassium

Question 5

Why may Addison’s sufferers have a tan

Answer 5

When POMC is cleaved to form ACTH, MSH (melanocyte stimulating hormone) is also produced

Question 6

How do you treat Addison’s

Answer 6

Rehydrate with saline

Dextrose to prevent hypoglycaemia

Question 7

What are some key clinical features of excess cortisol

Answer 7

weight gain
Striae 
Proximal myopathy
hypertension
Moon face
Intrascapular fat pad
Protein loss
Thin skin and easy bruising

Question 8

What is Cushing’s disease

Answer 8

An excess of cortisol or other glucocorticoid

Question 9

What are the causes of Cushing’s

Answer 9

Steroid use
Pituitary adenoma produces ACTH
Lung cancer cells produce ACTH
Adrenal adenoma or carcinoma

Question 10

What are the clinical features of Cushing’s

Answer 10

T- Thin skin
H- Hypertension
E- Easy bruising
M- Moon face
P- Proximal myopathy
I- Immunosupression 
C- Centripetal obesity

Question 11

What is Conn’s syndrome

Answer 11

Adenoma in the zona glomerulosa produces aldosterone

Question 12

What is the name of the syndrome by which an adenoma produces aldosterone

Answer 12

Conn’s

Question 13

What are the clinical features of Conn’s

Answer 13

Hypertension
Oedema
Low blood potassium
High blood sodium