Endocrinology

Question 1

What is the main effect of glucocorticoid deficiency?

Answer 1

Glucocorticoid = cortisol, aka hydrocortisone

Cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis

Therefore deficiency causes hypoglycaemia

Question 2

What effect does aldosterone have on potassium levels?

Answer 2

Loss of potassium from body into urine

Question 3

What effect does hyperkalaemia have on aldosterone levels?

Answer 3

Hyperkalaemia is a potent stimulator of aldosterone

Question 4

Name 4 inhibitors of glucagon

Answer 4

Insulin
Uraemia
Somatostain
Fatty / keto acidosis

Question 5

First line investigation of Addison’s

Answer 5

9am cortisol, U+E

Expected results: low cortisol, low Na, high K

Question 6

From what cells does a phaeochromocytoma originate?

Answer 6

Chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla

Question 7

Which hormone is structurally similar to hPL (human placental lactogen)?

Answer 7

Growth hormone

Question 8

From where is aldosterone produced?

Answer 8

Zona glomerulosa of adrenal gland

Question 9

Which hormone inhibits galactopoeisis and lactogenesis?

Answer 9

Dopamine

Question 10

What is the half life of oxytocin?

Answer 10

5 minutes

Question 11

Atosiban is an antagonist of which hormone?

Answer 11

Oxytocin

Question 12

Where does progesterone come from?

Answer 12

Made by luteal cells of ovary from cholesterol

Question 13

Definition of delayed puberty (in girls)

Answer 13

No breast development beyond age 13

Question 14

Effect of pregnancy on thyroid function

Answer 14

Decreased TSH
Increased total T3 and T4 (although free T3 and T4 levels drop)

Question 15

Which hormone is structurally similar to FSH?

Answer 15

TSH

Question 16

Teratogenic effects of carbimazole

Answer 16

Choanal atresia
GIT defects
Omphalocele
Aplasia cutis

Question 17

How are FSH, LH, and oestradiol affected by COCP?

Answer 17

All reduced

Question 18

Which hormones do the corpus luteum make

Answer 18

Progestérone
Estradiol

Question 19

Which hormones inhibit prolactin

Answer 19

Dopamine
Somatostatin

Question 20

Breast feeding stimulates which hormone from hypothalamus

Answer 20

Oxytocin

Question 21

Which cells in testes make testosterone?

Answer 21

Leydig

Question 22

Which hormones do chromaffin cells make (where are chromaffin cells??)

Answer 22

Chromaffin cells are in adrenal medulla

They make:
Adrenalin
Noradrenaline
Dopamine

Question 23

What is a Meckel’s diverticulum and what percentage of population have one?

Answer 23

2%

Failure of omphalomesenteric duct (/ yolk sac stalk)

Question 24

Embryological origin of external carotid

Answer 24

1st pharyngeal arch

Question 25

Where is cortisol produced

Answer 25

Zona fasciculata

Question 26

Upper limit of HbA1c for safe in pregnancy

Answer 26

86 (10%)

Question 27

Definition precocious puberty in girls

Answer 27

Secondary sexual characteristics before age 8

Question 28

Embryological origin of CN7

Answer 28

CN7 = facial nerve Embryological origin = 2nd pharyngeal arch

Question 29

Definition of puberty in girls

Answer 29

Becoming capable of sexual reproduction

Question 30

Which hormone peaks at day 21 of 28 day menstrual cycle

Answer 30

Progesterone

Question 31

Where are ADH and oxytocin synthesised?

Answer 31

Synthesis = hypothalamus Released from posterior pituitary

Question 32

When during menstrual cycle does LH surge

Answer 32

24-36 hours before ovulation

Question 33

Which 3 hormones are structurally similar to HCG

Answer 33

TSH FSH LH

Question 34

Most common cause of hyperprolactinaemia

Answer 34

Hypothyroidism Other causes: H2 antagonism PCOS Pregnancy Chest wall surgery

Question 35

What form is calcium in the body

Answer 35

Calcium phosphate

Question 36

High PTH + high Ca2+ = what type of hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 36

Primary or.. tertiary if with renal failure

Question 37

For which group of patients / ovulation disorder is pulsatile GnRH a suitable treatment?

Answer 37

WHO Group 1 ovulation disorders ie hypothalamic pituitary failure (incl anorexia, compulsive exercisers etc)

Question 38

Most common cause primary hyperaldosteronism

Answer 38

1ary hyperaldosteronism = Conn's Most common cause = bilateral idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia

Question 39

What is a typical blood electrolyte of Conns?

Answer 39

Hypokalaemia Hypernatraemia Hypocalcaemia Hypertension

Question 40

Effect of obesity on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)

Answer 40

Reduces SHBG Therefore more free testosterone, more hirsutism

Question 41

Correct response to increased calcitonin

Answer 41

Increase osteoblast Decrease phosphate (Calcitonin comes from c-cells in thyroid in response to high calcium)