Board Question Buzz
Diagnostic Testing
When is a normal hormone level not normal?
Bonus questions
Pulsatile, Diurnal, and Tonic
100

The diagnosis when the stem says hypokalemia and hypertension

Conn Syndrome / Hyperaldosteronism

100

The test to diagnose adrenal insufficiency

ACTH stim test

100

The diagnosis when the free T4 is very low and the TSH is “normal” at 0.5.

Central / secondary hypothyroidism

100

The diagnosis when there is sudden loss pubic and axillary hair in an adult woman.

Adrenal Insufficiency

100

Classically pulsatile hormone which makes the interpretation of a random value difficult.

GH

200

The diagnosis when the stem says salt craving.

Addison's / Adrenal Insufficiency

200

The test to confirm a diagnosis of acromegaly

Oral glucose tolerance test for GH

200

The diagnosis when the cortisol level after 1 mg of dexamethasone is “normal” at 10.

Cushing's

200

The diagnosis when the patient is a pregnant woman and the prolactin level is “normal” at 15.

Hypopituitarism

200

Midnight salivary value takes advantage of the diurnal secretion of this hormone

Cortisol

300

The diagnosis when the stem says obstetrical hemorrhage and inability to lactate.

Sheehan's Syndrome

300

The test to confirm the diagnosis of Diabetes Insipidus

Water deprivation test

300

The diagnosis when the calcium level is elevated at 15 and the intact PTH is “normal” at 40.

Primary hyperparathyroidism

300

The genes, in order, for 1) MEN1; 2) MEN2; 3) APS 1

1) Menin

2) RET

3) AIRE

300

The hormone when secreted in high levels by an adenoma causes osteoporosis and when given in bursts by daily injection builds bone.

PTH

400

The diagnosis when the stem says central obesity, proximal muscle weakness and easy bruising.

Cushing's Syndrome

400

The three tests used to assess for an overproduction of cortisol

Midnight salivary cortisol 

Dexamethasone suppression test

24-hr urine free cortisol

400

The diagnosis when the post ACTH level of cortisol is “normal” at 7.

Adrenal insufficiency

400

The medications needed for patients with pan hypopituitarism

Hydrocortisone

LT4

Test/E2 if applicable (pre-menopausal)

GH maybe

400

To check for deficiency these two hormones need to be measured first thing in the morning to capture their highest levels.

Cortisol and Testosterone

500

The diagnosis when the stem says amenorrhea and galactorrhea.

Prolactinoma

500

The setting in which the ACTH stimulation is unreliable.

Acute secondary adrenal insufficiency

500

The diagnosis when the growth hormone level is normal but the IGF 1 level is very high.

Acromegaly

500

The inheritance pattern of adrenoleukodystrophy

X-linked

500

An agonist of this hormone’s receptor changes the secretion of the hormone and delays puberty in a child with short stature.

LH