K Hypothyroidism Definition and incidence Hypothyroidism is a state of thyroid gland hypofunction resulting in decreased circulating concentrations of thyroid hormones. Laboratory findings show decreased plasma T3 and T4 concentrations…
J Hyperthyroidism Definition Hyperthyroidism is defined as thyroid gland hyperactivity. Thyrotoxicosis is more specifically defined as a state of thyroid hormone excess. The most common cause of thyrotoxicosis in the…
H Hyperparathyroidism Definition and incidence Primary hyperparathyroidism is characterized and diagnosed by the presence of elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels despite high serum calcium levels. The incidence of primary…
I Hypoparathyroidism Definition Hypoparathyroidism is a disorder characterized by inadequate secretion of PTH or a peripheral resistance to its effect. Patients with hypoparathyroidism typically have low serum calcium levels. The…
G Hypoaldosteronism Definition Hypoaldosteronism causes hyperkalemia in the absence of renal insufficiency. Isolated deficiency of aldosterone secretion may reflect congenital deficiency of aldosterone synthetase or hyporeninemia resulting from a defect…
F Hyperaldosteronism Definition Conn’s syndrome, the most common form of primary aldosteronism, results from hypersecretion of aldosterone from an adrenal adenoma independent of stimulus. Pathophysiology Primary aldosteronism may also be…
D Diabetes insipidus Definition Diabetes insipidus (DI) reflects the absence of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) owing to the destruction of the posterior pituitary gland (neurogenic DI) or failure of the renal…
C Cushing’s disease Definition Cushing’s syndrome results in diverse complex symptoms, signs, and biochemical abnormalities caused by excess glucocorticoid hormone. Pathophysiology The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome today is…
*Relative to cortisol. Data from Stoelting RK, Hillier SC. Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:462. A typical oral replacement dose for Addison’s…
A Acromegaly Definition Growth hormone (GH) hypersecretion, usually caused by a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma (99% of cases), can produce a highly distinctive syndrome in adults called acromegaly. Acromegaly occurs because…
