Home 
Contact 
Profile 
Videos 
Lecture by for 4th year medical students on
December 24, 2013 by Prof Omar Hasan Kasule Sr.
Types of adrenal steroids
·
Glucocorticoids:
act on carbohydrate metabolism
·
Mineralocorticoids:
Na, K, and fluid balance in distal kidney tubules
·
Androgens:
converted to testosterone
Addison disease (primary hypoadrenalism)
·
Causes: autoimmune,
infiltration, TB, surgical removal, hemorrhage/infarction, infiltration
·
Effects:
Impaired glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and androgen
production
·
Symptoms:
weight loss, anorexia, malaise, fever, weakness, depression,
impotence/amenorrhoea, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, confusion,
syncope, abdominal pain, myalgia, joint pain
·
Signs: pigmentation,
postural hypotension, weight loss, muscle wasting, dehydration, loss of body
hair
Cushing’s syndrome (increased
circulating glucocorticoids)
·
Causes:
(a) increased ACTH from pituitary,
ectopic tumors, or drug administration (b) adrenal adenoma / carcinoma (c)
iatrogenic glucocorticoid administration
·
Symptoms: weight
gain, changed appearance, depression, insomnia, amenorrhea/oligomenorhea, poor
libido, thin skin easy to bruise, acne, muscle weakness, back pain,
polyuria/polydipsia, psychosis
·
Signs: short
stature, moon plethoric face, depression/psychosis, acne, hirsuitism, thin
bruising skin, poor wound healing, pigmentation, skin infections, systemic
hypertension, osteoporosis, pathological fractures, Kyphosis due to
osteoporosis, truncal / central obesity (buffalo hump), abdominal striae, rib
fractures, proximal muscle weakness.