Adrenal Insufficiency Flashcards Preview

Medicine Phase 2a Other (Infectious diseases etc) > Adrenal Insufficiency > Flashcards

Flashcards in Adrenal Insufficiency Deck (18)
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1
Q

What is it

A

When the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient steroid hormone

2
Q

Causes of primary adrenal insifficiency

A

Addisons disease
Idiopathic
Postadrenalectomy

3
Q

Causes of Addisons disease

A

Metastases from breast, lung and renal cancers
Autoimmune
Infections
Lymphoma

4
Q

Infections that can cause Addisons

A

TB is most common cause

Opportunistic infections e.g. Cytomegalovirus in HIV patients

5
Q

Causes of secondary adrenal insufficiency

A

Prolonged prednisolone use
Pituitary adenoma
Sheehan’s syndrome

6
Q

Signs and symptoms

A
Unintentional weight loss
Myalgia
Weakness
Fatigue
Postural hypotension
Abdominal pain
Skin pigmentation
Body hair loss
Diarrhoea
N/V
Depression
7
Q

Which embryological layer forms the capsule (of kidneys and adrenal glands)

A

Mesoderm

8
Q

Which part of embryological layers forms the adrenal medulla

A

Neural Crest

9
Q

Diagnostic tests of adrenal insufficiency

A

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol measurements
Insulin intolerance test
Short tetracosactide test

10
Q

Other investigations of adrenal insufficiency, other than main diagnostic tests

A

Bloods

Radiology

11
Q

What blood tests are taken

A
FBC
U/Es (low sodium, high potassium)
LFTs
Glucose
Lipid levels
Serum calcium
12
Q

What would you see on U/Es

A

Low sodium

High potassium

13
Q

Radiology investigations

A

CXR - look for lung cancer

CT and MRI scan of the adrenal glands

14
Q

Conservative treatment

A

Patient should be educated and should carry a steroid alert card

15
Q

Medical treatment

A

Replace glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone
Treat complications

16
Q

Surgical treatment

A

Surgical excision of tumour if indicated

17
Q

Complications

A
Adrenal crisis
Hyperkalaemia
Hypoglycaemia
Eosinophilia
Alopecia
18
Q

What other conditions is Addisons disease associated with

A
3PGH
Pernicious anaemia
Primary ovarian failure
Polyglandular syndrome
Graves disease
Hashimotos thyroiditis