Thad has symptoms of Addison’s disease (low cortisol). Blood tests confirm that

Question

Thad has symptoms of Addison’s disease (low cortisol). Blood tests confirm that Thad’s cortisol secretion is sub-normal.

1. What could 3 organs potentially be malfunctioning?

2. How can we figure out which of the above organs is malfunctioning? Make a chart showing the predictions of blood hormone levels for each possibility.

3. His CRH and ACTH are elevated. Where are the sources of the problem?

4. What other hormones might also be depressed, knowing there is an insufficiency at this gland? Predicts some other symptoms the he might have, based on the other possible deficiencies.

5. For each of the above hormones, does it bind and internal or external receptor?

Explanation / Answer

Ans 1...low cortisol may be due to defect at any of the three organ level

Hypothalamus

Pituitary

Adrenal gland

Ans2..we will.look for.3.hormones

Cortisol secreted by adrenal gland

Cortisol releasing hormone CRH secreted by hypothalamus

Adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH by pituitary

If only cortisol is low then defect is in adrenL gland

If cortisol and ACTH are low then defect is in pituitary

If all of the three are low then defect is in hypothalamus

Ans 3..the problem lies in adrenal gland itself.low level of cortsol by feedback inhibittion increases synthesis of CRH and ACTH

Ans.4.. insufficiency of this gland also decreases hormones like adrenaline and nor adrenaline

Symptoms will be decreased heart rate,decreased Blood pressure,etc

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