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DISORDERS OF THE ADRENOCORTICAL HORMONES. Dr. Ayisha Qureshi MBBS, Mphil. Hypoadrenalism- ADDISON’S DISEASE. ADDISON’S DISEASE. DEFINITION:
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DISORDERS OF THE ADRENOCORTICAL HORMONES Dr. Ayisha Qureshi MBBS, Mphil
ADDISON’S DISEASE DEFINITION: Addison’s disease results from the inability of the adrenal cortices to produce the adrenal hormones & this is most frequently caused by the primary atrophy of adrenal cortex. CAUSES: • Autoimmune disorder • Tuberculous destruction of the glands • Cancer • Secondary to impaired pituitary gland function leading to insufficient ACTH production.
Signs & Symptoms Mineralocorticoid deficiency Glucocorticoid deficiency Patient cannot maintain normal blood glucose levels as no gluconeogenesis b/w meals Nausea, vomiting, fever, hypotension All metabolisms effected Patient highly susceptible to the deteriorating effects of stress. Even mild infections can lead to death • Greatly decreased renal sodium reabsorption • Increased loss of Na, Cl & water in the urine • Decreased ECF/ hypovolemia • Hyponatremia • Hyperkalemia • Mild Acidosis • Increased RBC conc. Due to decreased ECF • Decreased CO • Shock • Death
Signs & Symptoms • Extreme melanin pigmentation of the mucous membranes & skin. • Usually deposited in blotches • Cause is increased ACTH secretion as well as increased MSH secretion WHAT IS POMC & MSH? Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a preprohormone which when cleaved causes the formation of: • MSH (melanocyte stimulating hormone) which causes darkening of the skin by stimulating formation of melanin & dispersing it to the epidermis • Beta Lipoprotein • Beta endorphin & few others (ACTH also has 1/30 as much activity of MSH & so its hypersecretion also causes Hyperpigmentation of the skin.)
TREATMENT • A person with complete destruction of the adrenal may die within a few days to 2 weeks b/c of weakness & circulatory shock. • However, if small quantities of mineralo & glucocorticoids are administered daily, they can live for years.
DEFINITION: Hypersecretion by the adrenal cortex causes a complex cascade of hormone effects called Cushing’s syndrome. CAUSES: • Exogenous - Factitious - Iatrogenic • ACTH-Dependant - Pituitary adenoma - Ectopic ACTH syndrome • ACTH-Independant - Adrenal adenoma - Adrenal carcinoma
When Cushing’s syndrome is secondary to excess secretion of ACTH by the anterior pituitary, it is called CUSHING’S DISEASE.
Signs & Symptoms • Truncal Obesity • Supraclavicular & dorsal fat pad • Buffalo hump • Moon Facies • Purple striae due to decreased collagen proteins • Thin skin • Capillary fragility & easy bruising • Hirsuitism • Diabetes Mellitus also called Adrenal Diabetes • Thin extremities and severe muscle weakness due to increased protein catabolism • Infections due to suppressed immune system with impaired wound healing • Osteoporosis • Hypertension
Diagnosis & Treatment DIAGNOSIS: • Very challenging • Diagnose excess Cortisol (24 hour urine cortisol & midnight salivary cortisol level) • Dexamethasone suppression test TREATMENT: • Removal of the cause: Surgery of the adrenal tumour OR pituitary tumour • Drugs that block steroidogenesis.e.g. Ketaconazole • Drugs that inhibit ACTH secretion.e.g. Serotonin antagonists • Partial or total adrenalectomy
DEFINITION: Occasionally, a small tumor of the zonaglomerulosa cells occurs & secretes large amounts of aldosterone; the resulting condition is called “Primary aldosteronism” or “ Conn’s disease”. CAUSES: • Small tumour of ZonaGlomerulosa cells that secretes large amounts of Aldosterone. • Sometimes even hyperplastic adrenal cortices secrete aldosterone instead of cortisol.
Signs & Symptoms • Severe hypokalemia causing muscle paralysis • Increased blood and ECF volume • Slight increase in Na conc. • Hypertension Usually, diagnosed by decreased plasma renin and increased aldosterone concentration.
A syndrome that is caused by occasional adrenocortical tumour that secretes excessive quantities of androgens.
Signs & Symptoms • In Females: • Virile characteristics • Growth of a beard • Deeper voice • Occasionally baldness • Masculine distribution of hair on the body • Deposition of proteins in a masculine manner
In Males: • In prepubertal male, a virilizing adrenal tumour causes same characteristics as in the female plus rapid development of the male sex organs • In adult male, the virilising characteristics are often masked by the virilising effects of Testosterone • Diagnosis is made by the presence of excess 17-ketosteroids in the urine.