. . . hypotension and hyperkalemia, low urine potassium and metabolic acidosis. She has normal renal function. What is the diagnosis? - Answer primary
... [Show More] hypoaldosteronism
. . . hypertension, with weakness and hypokalemia. The patient also has a high urine potassium excretion without diuretics. What is the diagnosis? - Answer hyperaldosteronism
. . . hypotension, failure to thrive, weight loss, and weakness. Her laboratory results reveal hyperkalemia, fasting hypoglycemia, and metabolic acidosis. What is the diagnosis? - Answer adrenal insufficienc
. . . hypertension, with weakness and rapid onset of obesity. This patient also exhibits central fat pads, buffalo hump, plethora, thin skin, purple striae, easy bruising, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia/insulin resistance, and recurrent infections. What is the diagnosis? - Answer Cushing's syndome
. . . hypertension, with virilization. She has a borderline low cortisol and elevated 17-OH progesterone. What is the diagnosis? - Answer congenital adrenal hyperplasia
. . . new virilization and hirsutism. Laboratory results show increased IGF-I (insulin growth factor I), DHEA(S), and testosterone levels. She is a health food enthusiast who experiments with nutritional supplements. What is the diagnosis? - Answer exogenous DHEA intake
. . . hypertension, with periods of panic attacks and hot flashes. She also presents with headache, hyperglycemia, hyperthyroidism, and gastrointestinal complaints. What is the diagnosis? - Answer pheochromocytoma
A 60-year-old man presented with intractable headaches. MRI was requested to evaluate this complaint, and a 2.5-cm pituitary tumor was discovered. In retrospect, he noted an unexplained 20-kg weight loss, cold intolerance, fatigue, and loss of sexual desire.
1. How would you approach the evaluation of his anterior pituitary function? - Answer A simple, straightforward approach would be to measure both the tropic and target gland hormone levels (e.g., testosterone or estradiol and LH, thyroxine and TSH, cortisol, ACTH prolactin) and IGF-I. Remember, the levels of most of these hormones need to be interpreted in context of the time of day they were obtained. For example, low levels of both ACTH and cortisol would be expected if the blood samples were obtained late in the evening or overnight [Show Less]