ENDOCRINE: overview Flashcards
(81 cards)
What is the most common cause of primary adrenocortical insufficiency?
Autoimmune disease
Other causes include tuberculosis, HIV, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, bilateral tumors, vascular causes, and drugs.
What are common symptoms of Addison’s Disease?
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hypotension
- Fatigue
- Myalgia
- GI upset
- Weight loss
- Amenorrhea
- Salt craving
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Low blood glucose
- Infertility
- Fetal loss
What laboratory findings are indicative of Addison’s Disease?
- Decreased cortisol
- Increased ACTH
- Decreased sodium
- Increased potassium
- Metabolic acidosis
What is the treatment for Addison’s Disease?
Hydrocortisone orally daily, possibly adding Fludrocortisone later
Patients should wear a medical alert bracelet.
What is an adrenal crisis?
Acute adrenal cortical insufficiency
It is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate treatment.
What are the symptoms of an adrenal crisis?
- Acute GI symptoms
- Back pain
- Arthralgia
- Fatigue
- Delirium
- Coma
- Hypotension
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Cardiomyopathy
What are the causes of an adrenal crisis?
- Major or minor stressors
- Hyperthyroid
- Noncompliance with steroid replacement
- Pituitary destruction
- IV etomidate
What is Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome?
A cause of Addison’s disease and adrenal crisis characterized by vascular adrenal gland hemorrhage/rupture
What pathogens are associated with Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome?
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Haemophilus influenzae
What is the most common deficiency in congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
21-hydroxylase deficiency
It is associated with the CYP21-A2 gene.
What are the symptoms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency?
- Weak androgen activity at birth
- Congenital adrenal insufficiency
- Low blood glucose
- Salt wasting
- Abnormal genitalia at birth due to excess androgens
What is Cushing syndrome?
Prolonged exposure to cortisol
What are the common symptoms of Cushing syndrome?
- Hypertension
- Increased blood glucose
- Increased insulin levels
- Central obesity
- Buffalo hump
- Moon face
- Striae
- Hirsutism
- Increased infection risk
What laboratory findings are indicative of Cushing syndrome?
- Increased cortisol
- Decreased potassium
- Normal or low ACTH
What is hyperaldosteronism?
Mineralocorticoid excess
What are the primary and secondary types of hyperaldosteronism?
- Primary: zona glomerulosa, renin independent
- Secondary: renin dependent
What are the classic triad symptoms of primary hyperaldosteronism?
- Hypertension
- Hypokalemia
- Metabolic alkalosis
What is the treatment for primary hyperaldosteronism?
Spironolactone or Eplerenone if pregnant
Other antihypertensive drugs can also be used.
What is a pheochromocytoma?
A catecholamine secreting tumor of the adrenal medulla
What are common symptoms of pheochromocytoma?
- Headaches
- Hypertension
- Sweating
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
What is the first-line treatment for pheochromocytoma?
Alpha blocker (Phenoxybenzamine/Doxazosin)
Surgery follows after 1-2 weeks of medical therapy.
What is the most common pituitary adenoma?
Prolactinoma
What are the symptoms of prolactinoma in females?
- Oligomenorrhea
- Infertility
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Galactorrhea
What are the laboratory findings for prolactinoma?
- Increased prolactin
- Decreased FSH
- Decreased LH