ENDOCRINE SUS

Endocrine system function

maintains homeostasis with nervous system

Hormones

chemical messengers secreted into blood acting on target cells

Surface receptor hormones

act quickly via second messengers

Intracellular receptor hormones

act slowly by altering gene transcription

Hypothalamus nickname

master gland

Hypothalamus releasing hormones

GHRH

Hypothalamus inhibiting hormones

somatostatin (GH-RIF)

Anterior pituitary hormones

GH

Posterior pituitary hormones

ADH

Negative feedback system

regulates hormone levels like supply and demand

Low thyroid hormone feedback

stimulates TRH → TSH → T3/T4 release

High thyroid hormone feedback

inhibits TRH and TSH release

Pancreas endocrine hormones

insulin and glucagon

Parathyroid gland hormone

PTH (controls Ca²⁺)

Kidney endocrine hormones

erythropoietin and renin

Thyroid C-cells hormone

calcitonin (lowers Ca²⁺)

Sympathetic activation effect

increases ACTH and adrenal steroid release

Hypothalamic hormone agonists

goserelin

Hypothalamic hormone antagonists

cetrorelix

Hypothalamic hormone drug uses

fertility programs

Hypothalamic agonist adverse effects

ovarian overstimulation

Hypothalamic antagonist adverse effects

fatigue

Growth hormone agonist drug

somatropin

Somatropin uses

growth failure

Somatropin adverse effects

antibodies to GH

Growth hormone antagonists

bromocriptine

GH antagonist uses

acromegaly

GH antagonist adverse effects

GI upset

Posterior pituitary agonist

desmopressin (DDAVP)

Desmopressin uses

diabetes insipidus

Desmopressin adverse effects

water intoxication

Vasopressin antagonists uses

SIADH

Vasopressin antagonist adverse effects

polyuria

Pituitary drug nursing monitoring

fluids

Pituitary drug teaching

correct nasal/injection technique

Pituitary drug warnings

avoid pregnancy/lactation unless necessary

Adrenocortical hormone types

glucocorticoids

Adrenocortical regulation

CRH → ACTH → adrenal cortex

Cortisol diurnal rhythm

peaks in early morning (6–9 am)

Cushing’s syndrome cause

excess glucocorticoids

Addison’s disease cause

adrenal insufficiency

Adrenal crisis cause

severe insufficiency during stress

Glucocorticoid examples

prednisone

Glucocorticoid actions

↑ glucose

Glucocorticoid indications

inflammation

Glucocorticoid adverse effects

immunosuppression

Mineralocorticoid prototype

fludrocortisone

Fludrocortisone actions

↑ Na⁺ and water retention

Fludrocortisone indication

Addison’s disease replacement

Fludrocortisone adverse effects

HTN

Adrenocortical agent nursing notes

give in morning

Thyroid replacement prototype

levothyroxine (T4)

Other thyroid replacement drugs

liothyronine (T3)

Thyroid replacement actions

↑ metabolism

Thyroid replacement indications

hypothyroidism

Thyroid replacement adverse effects

hyperthyroid symptoms (tachycardia

Thyroid replacement contraindications

thyrotoxicosis

Thyroid replacement nursing notes

take morning on empty stomach

Antithyroid drug classes

thioamides and iodine solutions

Thioamide prototypes

methimazole

Thioamide actions

inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis

Thioamide indications

hyperthyroidism

Thioamide adverse effects

hypothyroidism

PTU special risk

severe liver toxicity

Methimazole special risk

bone marrow suppression

Antithyroid contraindications

pregnancy/lactation

Antithyroid interactions

↑ bleeding risk with anticoagulants

Antithyroid nursing notes

monitor thyroid tests

Iodine solution examples

strong iodine

Iodine solution action

oversaturates thyroid → stop hormone synthesis

Radioactive iodine action

destroys thyroid cells

Iodine indications

hyperthyroidism

Radioactive iodine contraindications

pregnancy/lactation

Iodine adverse effects

hypothyroidism

Iodine nursing notes

use straw

Antihypocalcemic agents

calcitriol

Antihypocalcemic actions

↑ Ca²⁺ absorption (gut/kidney)

Antihypocalcemic indications

hypocalcemia

Antihypocalcemic adverse effects

hypercalcemia (weakness

Antihypocalcemic nursing notes

monitor Ca²⁺

Antihypercalcemic agents

bisphosphonates and calcitonin

Bisphosphonate examples

alendronate

Bisphosphonate action

inhibit osteoclasts → ↓ bone resorption

Bisphosphonate uses

osteoporosis

Bisphosphonate adverse effects

esophageal irritation

Bisphosphonate nursing notes

full glass of water

Calcitonin prototype

calcitonin salmon

Calcitonin action

inhibit osteoclasts

Calcitonin uses

Paget’s disease

Calcitonin adverse effects

flushing

General thyroid agent nursing notes

monitor thyroid function

Diabetes type 1

autoimmune β-cell destruction → absolute insulin dependence

Diabetes type 2

insulin resistance ± impaired insulin secretion

Complications of diabetes

atherosclerosis

Goal of diabetes treatment

maintain normoglycemia and prevent complications

Prototype insulin

regular insulin

Insulin action

replaces endogenous insulin → ↑ glucose uptake

Insulin indications

type 1 DM

Insulin adverse effects

hypoglycemia

Insulin nursing notes

rotate injection sites