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224 THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
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Hyperthyroidism
ophthalmoplegia
(in Graves’ disease)
Graves’ disease)
Oligomenorrhoea
(in Graves’ disease)
General
increased appetite
Hypothyroidism
Periorbital oedema
Husky voice
Goitre
Bradycardia
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Menorrhagia
Constipation
General
Fig. 10.4 Features of hyper- and hypothyroidism.
pretibial myxoedema: a raised, discoloured (usually pink or brown), indurated appearance over the anterior shins; despite its name, it is specically associated with Gravesdisease and not hypothyroidism (see Fig. 10.2D). A less common extrathyroidal manifestation of Gravesdisease is thyroid acropachy, a soft tissue swelling and periosteal hypertrophy of the distal phalanges which mimics nger clubbing (see Fig. 10.2C). It is almost always associated with dermopathy and ophthalmopathy.
Many clinical features of hypothyroidism are produced by myxoedema (non-pitting oedema caused by tissue inltration by mucopolysaccharides, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid;
Figs. 10.4 and 10.5). Other common ndings in hypothyroidism
include goitre, cool, dry or coarse skin, bradycardia, delayed ankle reexes and a slowing of movement.
Examination sequence
Observe the facial appearance, noting dry or coarse hair and
periorbital pufness (see Fig. 10.5).
Inspect the hands for vitiligo, thyroid acropachy (see
Fig. 10.2C), onycholysis and palmar erythema.
Assess the pulse (tachycardia, atrial brillation, bradycardia)
and blood pressure.
Fig. 10.5 Typical facies in hypothyroidism.
Ask the patient to extend their arms. Inspect for a ne tremor
due to sympathetic overactivity; laying a sheet of paper over the patients ngers may improve detection.
Auscultate the heart for a midsystolic ow murmur
(hyperthyroidism).
Inspect the limbs for coarse, dry skin or pretibial myxoedema
(see Fig. 10.2D).
Assess proximal muscle power and deep tendon (ankle) re-
exes (p. 155).
Thyroid gland
Examination sequence (Video 21)
Inspect the neck from the front, noting any asymmetry or
scars. Inspect the thyroid from the side with the patients neck slightly extended. Extending the neck will cause the thyroid (and trachea) to rise by a few centimetres and may make the gland more apparent. Give the patient a glass of water and ask them to take a sip and then swallow. The thyroid rises with the trachea on swallowing.
Palpate the thyroid by placing your hands gently on the front
of the neck with your index ngers just touching, while standing behind the patient (see Fig. 10.1B). The patients neck should be slightly exed to relax the sternocleidomas­toid muscles. Ask the patient to swallow again and feel the gland as it moves upwards.
Note the size, shape and consistency of any goitre and feel
for any thrill.
The history • 225
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Palpate for cervical lymphadenopathy (Fig. 3.27, the neck
examination sequence on p. 214, and the new neck video).
Percuss the manubrium to assess for dullness due to retro-
sternal extension of goitre.
Auscultate with your stethoscope for a thyroid bruit. A thyroid
bruit (sometimes associated with a palpable thrill) indicates abnormally high blood ow and is most commonly associ­ated with Gravesdisease. It may be confused with other sounds, but carotid bruits or murmurs transmitted from the aorta are louder over the carotid artery.
Early simple goitres are relatively symmetrical but may become nodular with time. In Gravesdisease, the surface of the thyroid is usually smooth and the gland diffusely enlarged; in uninodular or multinodular goitre, it is irregular (see Fig. 10.3). Diffuse tender­ness is typical of viral thyroiditis. Localised tenderness may follow bleeding into a thyroid cyst. Fixation of the thyroid to surrounding structures (such that it does not move on swallowing) and associated cervical lymphadenopathy increase the likelihood of thyroid malignancy. Further investigation of thyroid disorders is summarised in Box 10.4.
Eyes
Examination sequence
Look for periorbital pufness or oedema and lid retraction
(this is present if the white sclera is visible above the iris in the primary position of gaze; Fig. 10.2A).
Examine for features of Graves’ ophthalmopathy, including
exophthalmos (look down from above and behind the pa­tient), lid swelling or erythema and conjunctival redness or swelling (chemosis; Fig. 10.2B).
Assess for lid lag: ask the patient to follow your index nger as
you move it from the upper to the lower part of the visual eld. Lid lag means delay between downward movement of the eyeball and descent of the upper eyelid, exposing the sclera above the iris.
Assess eye movements (Fig. 8.9, p. 189). Graves’ oph-
thalmopathy is characteristically associated with restriction of upgaze.
10.4 Investigations in thyroid disease
Investigation Indication/comment
Biochemistry
Thyroid function tests To assess thyroid status
Immunology
Antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Antithyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (TRAbs)
Imaging
Ultrasound Goitre, nodule
Thyroid scintigraphy (
99m
Tc)
Computed tomography To assess goitre size and aid surgical
Invasive/other
Fine-needle aspiration cytology Thyroid nodule Respiratory ow-volume loops To assess tracheal compression from
Lid retraction (a staring appearance due to widening of the palpebral ssure) and lid lag (see above) are common eye signs associated with hyperthyroidism. Both are thought to be due to contraction of the levator palpebrae muscles as a result of sympathetic hyperactivity. Periorbital pufness (myxoedema) is sometimes seen in hypothyroidism.
Gravesophthalmopathy is an inammatory inltration of the soft tissues and extraocular muscles which affects around 20% of pa­tients with Gravesdisease (see Fig. 10.2A and B). Features sug­gestive of active inammation include spontaneous or gaze-evoked eye pain, and redness or swelling of the lids or conjunctiva. Prop­tosis (protrusion of the globe from the orbit) may occur in both active and inactive Gravesophthalmopathy and is often called exophthalmos. Inammation of the orbital soft tissues may lead to other more severe features, including corneal ulceration, diplopia, ophthalmoplegia and compressive optic neuropathy (Fig. 8.8D).
123
I,
Non-specic, high in autoimmune thyroid disease
Specic for Gravesdisease
To assess areas of hyper-/hypoactivity
planning
a large goitre
10
THE PARATHYROIDS
Anatomy and physiology
There are usually four parathyroid glands situated posterior to the thyroid (see Fig. 10.1A). Each is about the size of a pea and produces parathyroid hormone, a peptide that increases circu­lating calcium levels.
The history
Common presenting symptom s
Parathyroid disease is commonly asymptomatic. In hyper­parathyroidism, the most common symptoms relate to
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hypercalcaemia: polyuria, polydipsia, renal stones, peptic ul­ceration, tender areas of bone fracture or deformity (‘Brown tumours) and delirium or psychiatric symptoms. In hypopara­thyroidism, hypocalcaemia may cause hyper-reexia or tetany (involuntary muscle contraction), most commonly in the hands or feet. Paraesthesiae of the hands and feet, or around the mouth, may occur. Hypoparathyroidism is most often caused by inadvertent damage to the glands during thyroid s urgery but may also be caused by autoimmune disease. Patients with the rare autosomal dominant condition pseudohypopa rathyroidism have end-organ resistance to parathyroid hormone and typi­cally have short stature, a round face and shortening of the fourth and fth metacarpal bones.
Ask about:
Symptoms of hypercalcaemia:
polyuria, polydipsia
abdominal pain or constipation
confusion or psychiatric symptoms
bone pain
Symptoms of hypocalcaemia:
muscle cramps, perioral or peripheral paraesthesia.
Past medical, drug, family and social history
Ask about:
recent neck surgery or irradiation
past history of bone fractures
past history of renal stones
family history of hyperparathyroidism (which can be part of
the autosomal dominant multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome) or other endocrine disease (Addisons disease and type 1 diabetes can occur with hypoparathyroidism in the autosomal recessive type 1 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome).
Fig. 10.6 Trousseaus sign.
The physical examination
Examination sequence
Hands: ask the patient to make a st and assess the
length of the metacarpals (4th and 5th are shortened in pseudohypoparathyroidism).
Examine the neck for scars. Parathyroid tumours are rarely
palpable.
Measure blood pressure and assess hydration (p. 279).
Inating the blood pressure cuff in a patient with hypo­calcaemia may precipitate a typical pattern of muscle contraction, with the thumb adducted, the proximal inter­phalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints extended and the metacarpophalangeal joints exed (main daccoucheur (hand of the obstetrician), or Trousseaus sign; Fig. 10.6).
Test for muscle weakness and hyper-reexia (p. 254).
Look for evidence of recent fractures or bone deformity/
tenderness.
Perform urinalysis (renal stones may cause haematuria).
THE PITUITARY
Anatomy and physiology
The pituitary gland is enclosed in the sella turcica at the base of the skull beneath the hypothalamus. It is bridged over by a fold of dura mater (diaphragma sellae) with the sphenoidal sinus below and the optic chiasm above. Lateral to the pituitary fossa are the cavernous sinuses, containing cranial nerves III, IV and VI and the internal carotid arteries (Fig. 8.3, p. 171). The gland comprises anterior and posterior lobes. The anterior lobe secretes adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), prolactin, growth hormone (GH), thyroid­stimulating hormone (TSH) and gonadotrophins (luteinising hor­mone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)). The posterior
lobe is an extension of the hypothalamus and secretes vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) and oxytocin.
The history
Common presenting symptom s
Pituitary tumours are common and are found incidentally in around 10% of patients undergoing head computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Hypopituitarism can result from a space-occupying lesion or from a destructive or inltrative
The physical examination • 227
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changes in facial features (ask to see old photographs)
an increase in shoe, ring or glove size
associated medical conditions: arthropathy, carpal tunnel
syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, colonic malignancy, sleep apnoea.
Hypopituitarism
Apart from headache due to stretching of the diaphragma sellae and visual abnormalities, clinical presentation depends on the deciency of the specic anterior pituitary hormones involved. Individual or multiple hormones may be involved, so questioning in relation to deciencies of the thyroid, adrenocortical and reproductive hormones is needed.
Fig. 10.7 Pituitary macroadenoma. The tumour extends into the supra-
sellar cistern and is compressing the optic chiasm. Courtesy Dr Dilip Patel.
process such as trauma, radiotherapy, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis or metastatic disease. Pituitary infarction or haemorrhage can result in acute hypopituitarism (pituitary apoplexy) and is a medical emergency; it is often associated with headache, vomiting, visual impairment and altered consciousness. Secondary adrenal insufciency due to pituitary apoplexy may be life-threatening and must be identified and treated urgently (see p. 231).
Non-functioning pituitary adenomas may be asymptomatic or may present with local effects such as compression of the optic chiasm causing visual loss (typically bitemporal upper quad­rantanopia or hemianopia; Fig. 10.7 and Fig. 8.5) or headache due to expansion of the sella. Adenomas may produce hor­mones such as prolactin, GH or ACTH; the resulting symptoms and signs will depend on the excess hormone present.
Prolactinoma
Ask about:
galactorrhoea (breast milk secretion)
oligomenorrhoea, amenorrhoea or infertility (in women)
reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and reduced shaving
frequency (in men)
Acromegaly
GH excess prior to puberty presents as gigantism; after puberty, it causes acromegaly.
Ask about:
headache
excessive sweating
Family history
Enquire about family history since pituitary disease can occur as part of inherited multiple endocrine neoplasia or familial pituitary syndromes.
The physical examination
Acromegaly
Examination sequence
Look at the face for coarsening of features, thick, greasy skin,
prominent supraorbital ridges, enlargement of the nose, prognathism (protrusion of the mandible) and separation of the lower teeth (Fig. 10.8A and B).
Examine the hands and feet for soft-tissue enlargement and
tight-tting rings or shoes, carpal tunnel syndrome and arthropathy (see Fig. 10.8C and D).
Assess the visual elds (p. 183).
Check the blood pressure and perform a urinalysis.
Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are common associations.
Hypopituitarism
Examination sequence
Look for:
extreme skin pallor (a combination of mild anaemia and
melanocyte-stimulating hormone deciency)
absent axillary hair
reduced/absent secondary sexual hair and testicular atrophy
(caused by gonadotrophin deciency)
visual eld defects (most often bitemporal hemianopia),
optic atrophy or cranial nerve defects (III, IV and VI), caused by a tumour compressing the optic chiasm, optic nerve or cavernous sinus.
10
A
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B
C
Fig. 10.8 Acromegaly. A Typical facies. B Prognathism and separation of the lower teeth. C Large, eshy hands. D Widening of the feet.
THE ADRENALS
Anatomy and physiology
The adrenals are small, pyramidal organs lying immediately above the kidneys on their posteromedial surface. The adrenal medulla is part of the sympathetic nervous system and secretes catecholamines. The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol (a gluco­corticoid), mineralocorticoids and androgens.
D
The history
Common presenting symptom s
Adrenal insufciency is due to inadequate secretion of cortisol and can be due to intrinsic disease of the adrenal gland (primary) or due to failure, or suppression, of ACTH signalling (secondary).
A
The history 229
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B
Fig. 10.9 Addisons disease. A Hyperpigmentation in a patient with coexistent vitiligo. B Buccal pigmentation.
Primary adrenal insufciency (Addisons disease; Fig. 10.9)is usually secondary to autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cor­tex but can also be due to infections (tuberculosis, HIV, fungal etc.), infarction, metastatic disease, or drugs (e.g. etomidate, ke­toconazole, phenytoin). Secondary adrenal insufciency is most often due to long-term exogenous glucocorticoid use but can also be due to pituitary disease. Symptoms are often non-specific.
Asymptomatic, non-functioning adenomas may be detected incidentally on abdominal CT or MRI scans. Functioning adrenal adenomas may present with refractory hypertension (Box 10.5) or features of androgen excess (p. 231).
Cushings syndrome is caused by excess exogenous or endogenous glucocorticoid exposure. Most cases are iatrogenic and caused by side effects of glucocorticoid therapy. Endoge­nousCushings usually results from an ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenoma, but other causes include a primary adrenal ad­enoma or ectopicACTH secretion by a non-pituitary tumour. The catabolic effects of glucocorticoids cause widespread tissue breakdown (leading to proximal myopathy, fragility fractures, spontaneous bruising and skin thinning) and a central accumu­lation of body fat (Fig. 10.10). Patients may develop hypertension or diabetes and are susceptible to infection.
10.5 Adrenal causes of endocrine hypertension
Hormone produced in
Condition
Conns syndrome Aldosterone Hypokalaemia
Cushings syndrome Cortisol Central obesity, proximal
Phaeochromocytoma Noradrenaline
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and weight loss
muscle cramps
altered skin pigmentation (vitiligo or hyperpigmentation).
excess Associated features
(norepinephrine), adrenaline (epinephrine)
10
myopathy, fragility fractures, spontaneous bruising, skin thinning, violaceous striae, hypokalaemia
Paroxysmal symptoms, including hypertension, palpitations, sweating
Adrenal insufciency
Ask about:
weakness
postural light-headedness
Cushings syndrome
Ask about:
increase in weight, particularly if the weight is centrally distributed
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A
C
B
D
Fig. 10.10 Cushings syndrome. A Cushingoid facies. B After curative pituitary surgery. C Typical features: facial rounding and plethora, central obesity,
proximal muscle wasting and violaceous skin striae.
D Skin thinning: purpura caused by wristwatch pressure.
Anatomy and physiology 231
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bruising, violaceous striae and skin thinning
difculty rising from a chair/bath (may indicate proximal
myopathy).
Past medical and drug history
Enquire about recent or past exogenous glucocorticoid usage (route, dose, duration) as this may contribute to either iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome or suppression of the hypo­thalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and resultant glucocorticoid insufciency.
The physical examination
Adrenal insufciency
Examination sequence
Look for signs of weight loss.
Examine the skin for abnormal or excessive pigmentation.
This is most prominent in sun-exposed areas, or epithelia, subject to trauma or pressure: s kin creases, buccal mucosa (see Fig. 10.9B) and recent scars. In primary adrenal in- sufciency, the pituitary increases ACTH secretion in response to low cortisol levels. High levels of ACTH increase melanocyte-stimulating hormone, leading to increased skin pigmentation (most striking in Caucasians). Vitiligo (depigmentation of areas of skin) occurs in 10– 20% of autoimmune Addisons disease cases (see Fig. 10.9A).
Measure the blood pressure and test for postural hypoten-
sion (p. 48), resulting from salt and water loss due to inade­quate mineralocorticoid.
Patients on long-term glucocorticoids may have features
of Cushings syndrome (see below). Patients with an existing diagnosis of primary or secondary adrenal insuf­ciency may be carrying a steroid emergency alert card (Fig. 10.11).
Cushings syndrome
Examination sequence
Look at the face and general appearance for central obesity;
there may be a round, plethoric moonface (see Fig. 10.10A) or dorsocervical fat pad ( buffalo hump).
Examine the skin for thinning and bruising (see Fig. 10.10D),
striae (especially abdominal; Fig. 10.10C), acne, hirsutism, signs of infection or poor wound healing.
Measure the blood pressure.
Perform ophthalmoscopy for cataracts and hypertensive
retinal changes (Fig. 8.18, p. 189), and assess the visual elds (p. 162).
Examine the spine for kyphosis and/or tenderness due to
vertebral compression fractures (p. 297).
Examine the legs for proximal muscle weakness and oedema.
Perform urinalysis for glycosuria.
10
THE GONADS
Anatomy and physiology
The gonads (testes and ovaries) secrete sex hormones (testos­terone and oestrogen) in response to gonadotrophin (FSH and LH) release by the pituitary. The reproductive system is covered in Chapter 11.
Common presenting symptom s and signs
Most commonly, men present with androgen deciency, whereas women present with hyperandrogenism.
Hypogonadism can be primary (failure of the gonad itself) or secondary (where reduced gonadotrophin levels cause gonadal failure). Klinefelters syndrome (47XXY) is the most common cause of primary hypogonadism in men (1:600 live male births).
Secondary hypogonadism may be caused by pituitary disease, extremes of weight, or drugs that suppress hypothalamic gonadotrophin releasing hormone release (such as anabolic steroids or opiates). Presenting symptoms in men include loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, loss of secondary sexual hair, reduction in testicular size and gynaecomastia.
Hyperandrogenism in women usually presents with hirsut­ism (excessive male-patte rn hair growth), acne and/or oligo­menorrhoea and is commonl y due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; usually also associated with obesity). Other less common causes, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, should also be considered. Virilisation is suggested by male­pattern baldness, deepening o f the voice, increased muscle bulk and clitoromegaly; if present in women with a short his­tory of severe hirsutism, consider a testosterone-secreting tumour.
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Steroid Emergency Card (Adult)
IMPORTANT MEDICAL INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE STAFF
THIS PATIENT IS PHYSICALLY DEPENDENT ON DAILY STEROID THERAPY as a critical medicine. It must be given/taken as prescribed and never omitted or discontinued. Missed doses, illness or surgery can cause adrenal crisis requiring emergency treatment
Patients not on daily steroid therapy or with a history of steroid usage may also require emergency treatment.
Name
Date of Birth
Why steroid prescribed
Emergency Contact
NHS Number
When calling 999 or 111, emphasise this is a likely adrenal insufficiency/Addison’s/Addisonian crisis or emergency symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, injury/shock).
Emergency treatment of adrenal crisis
1) Immediate 100mg Hydrocortisone i.v. or i.m. injection. Followed by 24 hr continuous i.v. infusion of 200mg
Hydrocortisone in Glucose 5% OR 50mg Hydrocortisone i.v. or i.m. qds (100mg if severely obese).
2) Rapid rehydration with Sodium Chloride 0.9%.
3) Liaise with endocrinology team.
Scan here for further information or search
https://www.endocrinology.org/adrenal-crisis
Fig. 10.11 Example of a steroid emergency alert card. Courtesy Society for Endocrinology.
DIABETES
Anatomy and physiology
The pancreas lies behind the stomach on the posterior abdominal wall. Its endocrine functions include production of insulin (from beta cells), glucagon, gastrin and somatostatin. Its exocrine function is to produce alkaline secretions containing digestive enzymes.
Diabetes mellitus is characterised by hyperglycaemia caused
by absolute or relative insulin deciency.
Diabetes can be classied into the following categories:
Type 1: severe insulin deciency due to autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic islets. These patients are
susceptible to acute decompensation due to ketoacidosis or insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, both of which require prompt treatment.
Type 2: commonly affects people who are obese and insulin­resistant, although impaired beta-cell function is also impor­tant. These patients may decompensate by developing a hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state.
Gestational diabetes: diabetes rst diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy that is not clearly pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Specic types of diabetes due to other causes. Examples with associated history and examination features are described in Box 10.6.
AND describe
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10.6 Causes of secondary diabetes
a
Cause of diabetes Examples Clinical features
Pancreatic disease Pancreatitis Abdominal pain
Endocrinopathies Acromegaly, Cushings syndrome p. 226
Drugs Glucocorticoids (e.g. prednisolone)
Pregnancy Gestational diabetes may develop in the third
Monogenic defects in beta-cell function
Genetic syndromes associated with diabetes
a
Based on classication by the American Diabetes Association.
The history
Trauma/pancreatectomy Surgical scar Neoplasia Weight loss Cystic brosis Chronic cough, purulent sputum Haemochromatosis Skin pigmentation (bronze diabetes)
Antipsychotics (e.g. olanzapine) Immunosuppressants (e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus)
trimester
Glucokinase deciency Glucokinase deciency is present from birth with stable mild
Downs syndrome p. 39 Turners syndrome p. 39
women, balanitis in men) suggests Candida yeast infection (thrush).
Features of Cushings syndrome (see Fig. 10.10)
Gum hypertrophy may be seen with ciclosporin use
Gravid uterus
hyperglycaemia
10
Diabetes is a long-term condition where self-management is key, and the language we use when speaking with people l iving with diabetes matters. Always use non-judgemental, respectful and empathic language, and avoid labelling people as dia­betic; most people prefer to be described as a person with diabetes’.
Common presenting symptom s
Newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus commonly presents with a classical triad of symptoms:
polyuria (and nocturia): due to osmotic diuresis caused by glycosuria
thirst: due to the resulting loss of uid
weight loss: due to uid depletion and breakdown of fat and
muscle, secondary to insulin deciency.
Other common symptoms are tiredness, mood changes and blurred vision (due to glucose-induced changes in lens refrac­tion). Bacterial and fungal skin infections are common because of the combination of hyperglycaemia, impaired immune resistance and tissue ischaemia. Itching of the genitalia (pruritus vulvae in
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute complication of insulin deciency resulting in the production of ketone bodies and a consequent metabolic acidosis and osmotic diuresis. It may occur as the rst presentation of diabetes or can develop in people with existing diabetes. It commonly presents with symptoms of hyperglycaemia (polyuria, thirst) alongside abdominal pain, vom­iting and shortness of breath resulting from the underlying meta­bolic acidosis. Many people with type 1 diabetes have capillary blood glucose meters, which can also check capillary blood ke­tones. A blood ketone level of 3mmol/LsuggestsDKA.The history should cover possible triggers, such as omission of insulin or symptoms of intercurrent illness or infection.
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia may result from treatment with insulin or sulfo­nylureas. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia can be categorised as follows:
Autonomic: e.g. hunger, sweating, tremor, palpitations
Neuroglycopenic: e.g. confusion, irritability
General malaise: e.g. tiredness, nausea