Biology of Disease

7. Sajida, a 27-year-old, found over a 2-month period that she was
   expressing breast milk. She was not pregnant and, indeed, had
   not had any children. She was on medication with analgesic and
   antidopaminergic drugs for migraines attacks. An analysis of her
   serum gave a prolactin value of 1200 (reference range: 70–395 mU
   dm–3).

a) What is the most likely diagnosis?

b) What could have caused such a condition?

c) What should her doctor recommend?

8. Graham, a 50-year-old man, visited his doctor for the first time in
   many years complaining of blurred vision and frequent headaches.
   The doctor noticed changes in the facial features characteristic of
   acromegaly. An oral glucose tolerance test including measurements of
   GH was performed.

Time / min [Glucose] / mmol dm–3 [GH] / mU dm–3

0 6.3 47

30 7.3 55

60 8.6 52

90 9.5 64

120 8.8 53

150 7.5 49

180 6.8 49

Reference range for fasting glucose 3.0–5.5 mmol dm–3

Reference range for GH following glucose load<2mUdm–3

Plot a graph to illustrate these data. Do these findings support the

diagnosis of acromegaly?

9. Tabulate the differences between types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.


10. Give four functions of human GH.


11. Why is it necessary to screen newborn babies to detect congenital
    hypothyroidism?

Further Reading

Ahmed, N (2005) Advanced glycation endproducts – role in pathology of

diabetic complications. Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract.67: 3-21.

Ali, I and Dawber, R (2004) Hirsutism: diagnosis and management. Hosp. Med.

65: 293–297.

Ben-Shlomo, A and Melmed, S (2001) Acromegaly. Endocrinol. Metab. Clin.

North Am.30: 565–583.

Boscaro, M, Barzon, L, Fallo, F and Sonino, N (2001) Cushing’s syndrome.

Lancet357: 783–791.

Carroll, MF, Burge, MR and Schade, DS (2003) Severe hypoglycemia in adults.

Rev. Endoc. Metab. Disord.4: 149–157.

Cornia, PB and Anawalt, BD (2004) Male hormonal contraception. Expert

Opin. Emerg. Drugs9: 335–344.

X]VeiZg,/ DISORDERS OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

'%% W^dad\nd[Y^hZVhZ