DIABETES MELLITUS
Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells defines this type of diabetes, which requires insulin therapy for survival.
What is Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
The most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed nations, this autoimmune thyroiditis is characterized by anti-TPO and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.
What is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis)?
Cushing's syndrome results from chronic excess of this glucocorticoid hormone, most commonly from exogenous steroid use.
What is Cortisol?
This life-threatening emergency occurs when a patient with chronic adrenal insufficiency encounters a physiologic stressor such as infection, surgery, or trauma, triggering severe hypotension and vascular collapse.
What is Adrenal Crisis (Addisonian Crisis)?
An HbA1c of this percentage or higher on two separate occasions confirms a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
What is 6.5% (≥6.5%)?
First-line pharmacologic treatment for hypothyroidism, this synthetic thyroid hormone replaces deficient T4.
What is Levothyroxine (T4 replacement)?
Unlike Cushing's syndrome (general term), this specific eponym refers to hypercortisolism caused by a pituitary corticotroph (ACTH-secreting) adenoma.
What is Cushing's Disease?
During DKA treatment with IV insulin and fluids, clinicians must aggressively monitor and replace this electrolyte, which shifts intracellularly and can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias if levels drop.
What is Potassium (K⁺)?
This first-line oral agent for Type 2 diabetes works by suppressing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity — it does NOT cause hypoglycemia alone.
What is Metformin?
Graves' disease causes hyperthyroidism via these IgG autoantibodies that bind and continuously stimulate the TSH receptor.
What are Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulins (TSI / TSH receptor antibodies)?
This primary adrenal insufficiency, bearing the name of the physician who described it in 1855, classically presents with hyperpigmentation, fatigue, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and hypotension.
What is Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency)?
Thyroid storm is treated with this four-pronged pharmacologic approach: a thionamide to block synthesis, iodine to block release, beta-blocker for sympathetic symptoms, and this class of drug to block peripheral T4-to-T3 conversion and treat relative adrenal insufficiency.
What are Glucocorticoids (e.g., hydrocortisone or dexamethasone)?
This acute complication of Type 1 diabetes presents with hyperglycemia, anion-gap metabolic acidosis, ketonemia, Kussmaul respirations, and fruity breath.
What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
This term describes the non-pitting, boggy skin edema seen in severe hypothyroidism, caused by glycosaminoglycan accumulation in the dermis.
What is Myxedema?
This catecholamine-secreting tumor of the adrenal medulla causes episodic hypertension, diaphoresis, palpitations, and headache — the classic 'Rule of 10s' tumor.
What is a Pheochromocytoma?
When treating pheochromocytoma, giving this drug class BEFORE adequate alpha-blockade is established can cause a lethal hypertensive crisis due to unopposed alpha-adrenergic stimulation.
What are Beta-Blockers?
Unlike DKA, this hyperglycemic emergency seen in Type 2 diabetes features glucose often exceeding 600 mg/dL, profound dehydration, and altered mental status WITHOUT significant ketoacidosis.
What is Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)?
This life-threatening decompensated form of hypothyroidism presents with hypothermia, bradycardia, hypoventilation, hypotension, and profound altered consciousness — often triggered by illness or cold exposure.
What is Myxedema Coma?
Primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome) causes resistant hypertension and hypokalemia. This is its most common underlying etiology.
What is a Unilateral Adrenal Adenoma (Aldosteronoma)?
Hypercalcemic crisis (serum Ca²⁺ >14 mg/dL) management begins with this intervention — given in large volumes — to restore intravascular volume, dilute calcium, and promote renal calciuresis.
What is Aggressive IV Normal Saline Hydration (isotonic saline diuresis)?