Exam III Flashcards
Endocrinology (125 cards)
Hypoadrenocorticism
What is it?
Addison’s Disease!
Hypoadrenocorticism
Pattern Recognition
“Great pretender” – looks like many other diseases
Following signs may wax and wane
GI signs Lethargy Weight loss Sick dog with no stress leukogram Lyphocytosis Eosinophilia Hypocholesterolemia Prerenal Azotemia Electrolytes: Hypercalcemia Hyperphophatemia Hyponatremia Hyperkalemia Hypochloridemia
Atypical Addison’s
No electrolyte abnormalities
Layers of the Adrenal Gland
Zona Glomerulosa:
Aldosterone
Salt
Zona Fasiculata:
Glucocorticoids
Sugar
Zona Reticularis:
Androgens
Sex
Medulla:
Catecholamines: Epi and Norepinephrine
Hypoadrenocorticism
Causes
Primary
Adrenal Gland Lesion
Immune mediated destruction of the adrenal cortex (85-90% must be destroyed)
Other: iatrogenic via drugs (mitotane, trilostane), suppression by exogenous steroids, neoplasia, granulomatous disease
Secondary
Pituitary Gland Lesion
Rare, decrease ACTH
Hypoadrenalcorticism
Types
Typical:
Destruction of ZG and ZF => NO aldosterone or glucocorticoids
Deficiency of cortisol (glucocorticoids) and aldosterone (mineralocorticoids)
Atypical: Destruction of ZF Signs of cortisol deficiency only! NO electrolyte changes Some patients do have adlosterone deficiency (which causes electrolyte deficiency in Typical however Atypical will not have electrolyte abnormalities)
Hypoadrenalcorticism
Predisposing Factors
Young to middle age
Females
Breeds: Standard Poodles Portuguese water dog Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Bearded Collie
Addisonin Crisis
Presentation
Caused by?
Treatment
Emergency!
Presents: recumbent, shocky
Caused by: iatrogenic administration of steroids
Treatment:
IV fluids (electrolyte balance; correct slowly)
Supportive and symptomatic care
Get blood work including running an ACTH Stim
If suspicious of Addison’s can start dexamethasone therapy (will NOT interfere with cortisol assay) - will help with vascular tone
Sodium must be at homeostatic level before treating with mineralocorticoids
Hypoadrenalcorticism
CBC
Chem
UA
CBC: No stress leukogram! Eosinophilia Lymphocytosis Non-regenerative anemia (masked by dehydration, chronic disease, erythropoiesis)
Chem: Hyponatremia Hyperkalemia (DANGER) Azotemia Hyperphosphatemia Sometimes: Hypercalcemia Hypoalbuminemia Hypoglycemia Hypocholesterolemia Elevated liver enzymes
UA:
Isosthenuria even with dehydration
Medullary washout due to hyponatremia
Cortisol Deficit vs. Aldosterone Deficit
Cortisol:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Maintains vascular tone
Aldosterone:
PU/PD
Electrolyte control
Both:
Lethargy/weakness
Collapse
Hypovolemic shock
Na:K Ratio
What does this test for?
What is this?
Dx: Hypoadrenocorticism
Typical Addisons:
K is high and Na is low during
Na:K <27
Atypical Addisons:
Electrolytes normal
(can progress to Typical form)
Baseline Cortisol
What does this test for?
Screening test or Diagnostic?
Hypoadrenalcorticism
Screening Test
Rule out test
Cortisol <2 ug/dL = NOT diagnostic must do ACTH stim for confirmation – but is suspicious for it
Cortisol >2 ug/dL = NOT ADDISON’S
ACTH Stim
What does this test for?
Screening test or Diagnostic?
Dx: Hypoadrenalcorticism and Hyperadrenalcorticism
Diagnostic = Addison's Screening = Cushing's
Give cosyntropin IV and measure cortisol 1 hour post administration
Evaluates maximal stimulation of adrenocortical reserve of cortisol
Addisonian patients have pre and post cortisol values <1 ug/dL
<2 ug/dL indicates Addison’s
> 21 ug/dL considered diagnostic in animals with clinical signs and no concurrent illness for Cushing’s
Hypoadrenalcorticism Treatment (Rx) for chronic case
Lifelong!
Glucocorticoids: Pred Daily Physiologic dose: 0.1-0.25 mg/kg May need to increase dose during stressful or exciting events GI signs: too low dose PU/PD, polyphagia: too high of a dose
Mineralocorticoid: DOCP
Percortin - IM injection
Administered 25-30 days
Monitor electrolytes (at first every 2 weeks then once normalized every 6 months)
Glucocorticoid and Mineralocorticoid:
Florinef (oral)
Daily
May need additional Pred
Hypoadrenalcorticism
Prognosis
Good!
However, life long treatment required
Monitor for rest of life (once on schedule every 6 months should be fine)
Hypercalcemia
How do you know if it is a true hypercalcemia?
What is your list of DfDx?
True hypercalcemia: ionized calcium
DfDx: G: Granulomatous O: Osteolytic S: Spurious H: Hyperparathyroidism D: Vitamin D A: Addison's R: Renal N: Neoplasia I: Idiopathic, Iatrogenic
Hyperadrenocorticism
What is it?
Cushing’s
Hyperadrenocorticism
Caused by (2 kinds)
Age?
Sex?
Pituitary gland (PDH) 80-85% Benign adenomas Most are microadenomas More common in small breeds Tumors produce ACTH
Adrenal gland(s) (ADH)
50/50 benign adenomas vs carcinomas
Affects large breed dogs more frequently
Tumors produce cortisol
Usually middle to older age dogs
Females
Hyperadrenocorticism
Clinical Signs
PU/PD (ADH no longer functioning properly)
Polyphagia
Panting:
Weakening of diaphragm muscles
Dermatologic problems (truncal alopecia): usually symmetrical, non-pruritic Thin skin Calcinosis cutis (deposition of calcium in skin; telling sign!)
Secondary infections (UTI): culture urine
Abdominal distension: Fat retention Hepatomegaly Weakness of abdominal muscles Muscle wasting (protein catabolism)
Usually a disease of dogs
Hyperadrenocorticism
Macroadenoma
Clinical signs
Neurologic Signs: Inappetance/anorexia Dullness Disorientation Circling Ataxia Behavioral Changes (wandering)
Hyperadrenocorticism
CBC
Chem
UA
CBC:
Stress leukogram
Thrombocytosis
Chemistry:
Increased ALP
Hypercholesterolemia
Increased ALT (hepatomegaly) Hyperglycemia (even when fasted; can enter diabetic state)
UA:
Isosthenuria
Proteinuria
UTI
Hyperadrenocorticism
Screening tests
Urine Cortisol/Creatinine Ratio (Rules out)
ACTH Stimulation Test
Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test
ACTH Stim
Pituitary Tumor response
Tumor is producing high amounts of ACTH
Consistently high ACTH => adrenal glands constantly stimulated to produce cortisol
Give ACTH: adrenal glands respond by releasing all cortisol they have saved
ACTH Stim
Adrenal Tumor Response
Adrenal tumor cells produce cortisol erratically and are not necessarily responsive to exogenous ACTH
Endogenous ACTH will be low
Cortisol may be elevated with an adrenal tumor but a normal result does not rule out ADH