Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Differential Diagnosis 2 > Endocrine > Flashcards

Endocrine Flashcards

(75 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

The thyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands are the most common ones responsible for endocrine disorders. True or False?

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Which glands are the most commonly responsible for endocrine disorders?

A

Thyroid
Pancreas
Adrenals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the 3 Ps? (Signs and symptoms of diabetes)

A

Polydypsia
Polyuria
Polyphagia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What process leads to ketone production in Diabetic Ketone Acidosis?

A

Breakdown of fat as an alternative source of energy to glucose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What elements are needed in the body for the production of thyroid hormone?

A

Calcium and Iodine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What lifestyle choice leads to a 3 fold increase in the chance of developing Graves’ disease?

A

Smoking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Name 14 clinical signs/symptoms of Cushing’s Disease

A

Weight gain
Muscle weakness
Fatigue
Buffalo Hump
Thinning extremeties
Muscle wasting & fat mobilisation
Thin and fragile skin
Thinning scalp hair
Moon face
Ruddy complexion
Bruising
Impaired wound healing
Insulin resistance
Hypertension

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are 3 signs of endocrine disorders in the hands

A
  1. Palmar Erythema
  2. Dry and coarse skin
  3. Onycholysis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which glands are responsible for the production of adrenaline, cortisol and insulin?

A

Adrenal and Pancreas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Name 2 conditions that are an example of underproduction of hormone

A

Addison’s Disease
Hypoparathyroidism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Name 2 endocrine emergencies

A

Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Hypoglycaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are 3 possible causes of hypoglycaemia?

A
  1. Insufficient dietary intake
  2. Increased physical activity
  3. Excessive diabetic pharmacological therapy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

When may responses to hypoglycaemia be blunted?

A

During sleep

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which gland is typically dysfunctional in diabetes?

A

Pancreas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Which gland is typically dysfunctional in hyper or hypothyroidism?

A

Thyroid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Which gland is typically dysfunctional in Addisons or Cushings?

A

Adrenal Gland

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What hormones do the thyroid gland produce?

A

T3 and T4

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What hormone does the adrenal gland produce?

A

Cortisol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What hormone does the pancreas produce?

A

Insulin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Which dysfunctional gland is associated with myxoedemic coma and graves?

A

Thyroid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What 2 conditions are associated with underproduction of t3 and t4

A

Hypothyroidism
Myxoedemic coma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Which conditions are associated with overproduction of t3 and t4

A

Graves
Hyperthyroidism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Which condition is associated with underproduction of cortisol?

A

Addisons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Which condition is associated with overproduction of cortisol

A

Cushings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Which condition is associated with underproduction of insulin
Diabetes
26
Summarise the endocrine system:
🔹 consists of a group of glands that produce regulatory chemicals called hormones 🔹 hormones have effects on specific tissues known as target tissues 🔹 endocrine and nervous system work together to control and coordinate all other systems
27
Define primary cause of endocrine disorder
Disorder of the gland itself
28
Define secondary cause of endocrine disorder
Disorder of pituitary gland or hypothalamus
29
List 6 causes of endocrine disorder
Hypersecretion of hormone Hyposecretion of hormone Hyporesponsiveness of hormone receptor Inflammation of glands Gland tumours Lung tumours secreting ADH/PTH
30
What cells in the pancreas secrete hormones, and what are the hormones?
Alpha Cells: Glucagon Beta Cells: Insulin
31
What is type 1 diabetes?
Where the body destroys beta cells in the pancreas so insulin isn’t produced.
32
What age groups is type 1 diabetes usually diagnosed in
Kids and young adults
33
What is type 2 diabetes
Where the body doesn’t use insulin properly (resistance) and eventually insulin is no longer produced
34
Which type of diabetes accounts for 90% of new cases?
Type 2
35
What is gestational diabetes caused by?
A surge of local and placental hormones which promote a state of insulin resistance
36
What are the goals of treatment in gestational diabetes?
Normalise maternal blood glucose levels Avoid foetal complications
37
5-10% women with gestational DM are diagnosed with T2 DM. What is the increased risk in percentage terms that women with gestational DM develop the condition within 5-10 years?
40-60%
38
Name 8 signs and symptoms of hyperglycaemia
Dehydration/thirst Blurred vision Fruity breath - acetone production Kussmaul’s Respirations (deep and rapid to try eliminate co2 and correct acidosis) Abdo pain Nausea and vomiting Confusion Polyuria
39
Name 11 signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia
Confusion Anxiety Tremor Weakness Loss of consciousness Mentally agitated Aggressive Excessive sweating Pallor Tachycardia Hunger
40
How should you manage suspected/newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes?
Kids: refer immediately to paeds diabetic care team Adult: once diagnosed - refer immediately to diabetes specialist team to confirm diagnosis/provide immediate care
41
How would you manage newly diagnosed t2 diabetes? And how do you diagnose?
Lifestyle advice 2 x hba1c 48 or over 2 x fbg 7mmol or over Medication Can do 1 reading if asymptomatic
42
What hormone does the pituitary gland produce?
TSH
43
When does the pituitary gland produce TSH?
In response to high levels of T3
44
What happens if T3 and T4 levels aren’t high enough
The pituitary gland produces TSH which gets the thyroid gland to produce more
45
What is t3?
Active form of thyroid hormone The thyroid produces a small amount of t3 and lots of t4, but other tissues in the body convert t3 to t4
46
What will the levels of TSH be if we have too much T3 and T4?
Low: as the pituitary gland will want the thyroid to stop producing t3 and t4
47
What are the 3 risk factors for thyroid disease?
Female Family history Smoking
48
Name 16 signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism (6 probably fine)
Weight loss Tremor Bulging eyes Agitation Palpitations Tachycardia Shortness of breath AF Diarrhoea Hair loss Fatigue Muscle weakness Goitre Rapid growth rate in kids Heat intolerance/sweating Palmar erythema
49
Name 16 signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism (6 probably fine)
Weight gain Cold intolerance Fatigue Depression Coarse skin Dry hair Hoarse voice Constipation Menstrual irregularities Possible goitre Slow reflexes Muscle weakness Bradycardia Cardiomegaly Possible carpal tunnel Loss of eyebrows
50
What signs in the hands may indicate hyperthyroidism? (5)
Palmer erythema Warm and sweaty Tremor Onycholysis Thyroid acropachy
51
What signs of the hands may show hypothyroidism (4)
Dry and coarse Cold Onycholysis Thyroid acropachy
52
What 6 things may you look for as part of a goitre assessment (head and neck)
Obvious goitre Size and movement on swallowing Can you feel lower edge Quality: firm/soft/hard Symmetry Lymphadenopathy
53
What 2 things may you look for in the eyes when assessing for hyperthyroidism?
Exophthalmos (abnormal protrusion) Eyelid retraction (see if can close eyes completely or not)
54
Name something in the face you may see in hypothyroidism
Loss of outer third of eyebrows
55
List 7 causes of hyperthyroidism
Graves’ disease (autoimmune) Thyroid cancer Thyroid nodules Viral thyroiditis Postpartum thyroiditis Iodine Drugs (amiodarone) Idiopathic
56
List 8 causes of hypothyroidism
Previous/current inflammation of thyroid Hashimoto Thyroiditis (autoimmune) Iatrogenic (from medical treatment) Viral thyroiditis Postpartum thyroiditis Certain meds (lithium/amiodarone) Radiation therapy of neck Idiopathic
57
What can untreated hypothyroidism lead to
Myxoedema
58
How would you manage a new hyperthyroid patient
Urgently refer to endocrinology Consider emergency admission depending on presenting symptoms
59
How would you manage a new hypothyroid patient?
Treat with levothyroxine Monitor TFTs
60
What 4 hormones do the adrenal glands produce?
Cortisol Aldosterone Adrenaline Noradrenaline
61
What are the 3 disorders of the adrenal glands ?
Addisons disease Adrenal crisis Cushings disease
62
What is the most common group affected by Addisons disease
People aged 30-50 Women
63
What is Addisons disease?
Adrenal gland dysfunction: hyposecretion of cortisol and aldosterone
64
What are the 7 causes of Addisons
Autoimmune (most common) Congenital Infections: TB, flu, HIV Adrenal metastases Amyloidosis (++ protein in body) Haemochromatosis (++ iron) Iatrogenic
65
Name 11 symptoms of Addisons
Weight loss/anorexia Fatigue and weakness Nausea and vomiting Abdo pain and diarrhoea Muscle wasting/muscle cramps Hypoglycaemia Dizziness/postural hypotension Loss of body hair Pigmentation: in primary disease only (light exposed areas, pressure points, scars, buccal mucosa) Skin: dull, grey/brown Circulatory shock in acute presentations
66
What is Cushings
Excess glucocorticoids
67
68
What can cause the excess glucorticoids in cushings syndrome? (6)
Adrenal glands secreting excess glucocorticoid Administration of glucocorticoid drugs Pituitary hypersecretion due to tumour Corticotropin producing tumour in another organ Cortisol secreting adrenal tumour (usually benign) Adrenal carcinoma (usually infants)
69
Name 15 symptoms of Cushings
Weight gain Muscle weakness Fatigue Buffalo hump Thinning extremities Muscle wasting/fat mobilisation Thin, fragile skin Thinning scalp hair Moon face Ruddy complexion Bruising Impaired wound healing Insulin resistance Hypertension Psychological disturbance
70
What bloods would you do to test Addisons
Fasting serum cortisol : less than 100 = admit 100-500 = refer endocrinology Synacthen: gold standard : refer for this - more important in shift workers or if on oestrogen meds
71
What bloods would you test for Cushings
Overnight dexamethasone suppression test 24 hour urinary free cortisol Late night salivary cortisol
72
How are Addisons patients treated
Initiated by endocrinology Shared care with GP Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement
73
How are Cushings patients treated
Specialist referral: urgency depending on symptoms Normalise glucocorticoid production and restore diurnal rhythm: by gradually reducing and withdrawing corticosteroid or surgery
74
If considering an endocrine or autoimmune disorder- what bloods are useful?
Coeliac Rheumatoid factor TFTs Hba1c Cortisol Calcium
75
What should you test before starting any endocrine meds?
LFT U&Es

Differential Diagnosis 2 (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions