Medications Used in theTreatment of Endocrine Disorders

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Medications Used in theTreatment of Endocrine
Disorders

• Unit 28

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Objectives

• Give the location and functions of the primary
  endocrine glands
• Contrast the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
  and hyperglycemia
• Describe some risk factors associated with an
  older adult developing diabetes
• Explain why drug therapy may present special
  problems for the older adult

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Endocrine System

• Endocrine system includes the pituitary, thyroid,
  parathyroids, pancreas, adrenals, and
  reproductive organs
• Endocrine system secretes hormones directly into
  the bloodstream to function in growth,
  development, and maintenance of body functions
• Abnormal production of hormones can be
  life-threatening

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Pituitary Gland

• Small gland located at the base of the brain
• Aka the master gland
• Pituitary hormones are grouped according to the
  lobe of the gland in which they originate
• Pituitary can malfunction due to injury, surgery,
  tumors, or damage from radiation

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Hyperpituitarism

• Occurs with the overproduction of hormones and
  can cause gigantism if the condition is present
  prior to puberty
• Condition is most often caused from the presence
  of a tumor
• Treatment may involve radiation, chemotherapy, or
  surgery

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Hypopituitarism

• Occurs with the underproduction of hormones from
  this gland
• Can cause dwarfism in the developing child
• Treated with Somatropin

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Thyroid Gland

• Large, bilobed gland located in the neck
• Two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine
  (T3) are secreted by the thyroid
• These two hormones influence the metabolic rate
  in your body
• Iodine is essential for the production of these
  hormones

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Thyroid Gland

• Hyperthyroidism-results from too much hormone
  production characterized by a high metabolic
  rate
• Hypothyroidism-results from too little hormone
  production characterized by a low metabolic rate
• TSH-thyroid stimulating hormone-regulates the
  activity of the thyroid

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Graves Disease

• Most common form of hyperthyroidism
• Characterized by protruding eyes
• Treated with hormone therapy, radiation, or
  surgery

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Antithyroid Hormones

• Inhibits the synthesis of thyroid hormones by
  decreasing iodine use does not inactivate or
  inhibit T3 or T4
• Commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism
• May increase the effect of anticoagulants

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Parathyroid Glands

• Located on either side of the thyroid gland
• Secrete parathormone in response to lowered serum
  calcium levels
• Symptoms of parathormone deficiency can include
  increased muscular irritability and psychiatric
  disorders

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Adrenal Glands

• Located on top of each kidney, each adrenal gland
  has a tough outer cortex and an inner medulla
  that secretes hormones
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates
  adrenals to produce hormones that regulate fat,
  salt, water metabolism

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Adrenal Cortex

• Secretes three groups of hormones
• Glucocorticoids
• Mineralocorticoids
• Androgens
• Adrenal medulla synthesizes and stores dopamine,
  epinepherine, and norepinepherine

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The Pancreas

• Source of the hormone insulin
• Insulin is essential for the metabolism of
  carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• Insulin is released following the rise in blood
  glucose levels that follows the ingestion of food

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Hypoglycemia vs. Hyperglycemia

• Hypoglycemia too much insulin is present in the
  blood and there is a especially low level of
  blood sugar characterized by fatigue and
  weakness
• Hyperglycemia too little insulin is present in
  the blood with a high level of blood sugar
  characterized by increased susceptibility to
  infection

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Diabetes Mellitus

• Complex metabolic disorder that disrupts the
  bodys ability to produce or use insulin
• Insulin in the body must be maintained at a
  certain level, between 70 and 110 mg/dL of blood
• Three major types of diabetes Type 1, Type 2,
  and gestational diabetes

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Type 1 Diabetes

• Aka juvenile-onset diabetes
• Results from the bodys failure to produce
  insulin
• Patients with Type 1 will need to take insulin
  injections for the rest of their lives
• Affects 5-10 of Americans

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Type 2 Diabetes

• Aka adult-onset diabetes
• Results from insulin resistance combined with
  insulin deficiency
• Most common type of diabetes
• Affects 90-95 of Americans
• Obesity makes the body resistant to insulin
  produced by the body
• Can be prevented!

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Gestational Diabetes

• Develops in pregnant women
• Usually resolves without treatment after the
  child is born
• Affects 4 of all pregnant women

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Hyperglycemic Agents

• Used to cause an increase in blood glucose or
  diabetic patients with severe hypoglycemia
  (insulin shock)
• With cases of mild hypoglycemia, administration
  of orange juice, candy, or a lump of sugar will
  generally correct the condition.

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Glucagon

• Insulin antagonist used in the management of
  severe hypoglycemia
• Increases blood glucose levels by increasing the
  breakdown of glycogen to glucose and inhibits
  glycogen synthesis

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Proglycem

• Hyperglycemic agent that may be used in the
  treatment of hypoglycemia associated with
  hyperinsulinism or other causes
• Inhibits pancreatic-insulin release