Endocrine Conditions

Question 1

What are the 2 main conditions related to the thyroid gland?

Answer 1

Hyperthyroidism - high TH
Hypothyroidism - low TH

Question 2

List at least 4 symptoms of Hyperthyroidism?

Answer 2

• Weight loss
• nervous/anxious
• tachycardia
• heat intolerance
• sleep issues
• tremor/muscle weakness

Question 3

What is a common disease that causes hyperthyroidism?

Answer 3

Graves Disease

Question 4

Explain what Cushing’s Syndrome is

Answer 4

AKA Hypercortisolism

It is the signs and symptoms of excessive cortisol (lipid soluble hormone - glucocorticoid) levels in the blood.
Levels peak in the morning and drop at night.

Causes:
Can be caused by steroids
or body makes too much cortisol

Question 5

Outline the pathophysiology of at least three (3) signs or symptoms associated with excess cortisol levels (Cushing syndrome).

Answer 5

1. Central Obesity - Excess cortisol promotes breakdown of fats in visceral adipose which enlarge and mulitiple in central body. Also inhibits peripheral glucose uptake, leading to increased fat deposition, abdomen, back hump and moon face!
2. Muscle weakness/wasting - Cortisol increases protein breakdown in muscle cells and promotes glyconeogenesis which increased BGLs and leads to insulin resistance
3. Skin changes - cortisol inhibits collagen formation by fibroblasts leading to thinning of skin and striae, and supresses immune response, impaired wound healing

Question 5

What do the adrenal glands take care of (according to Ross’s lecture)?

Answer 5

Glucocorticoids - SUGAR
Aldosterone - SALT
Testosterone/Estrogen - SEX