Inglés para Endocrinología: Vocabulario y Frases Esenciales

"hypothalamic-pituitary axis"

The regulatory feedback system linking the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that controls the release of most hormones in the body

"Chronic stress can dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, leading to abnormal cortisol secretion patterns."

"thyroid-stimulating hormone"

A pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine and triiodothyronine

"A markedly elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone level confirmed primary hypothyroidism in the fatigued patient."

"insulin"

A peptide hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells that facilitates cellular glucose uptake and lowers blood sugar

"The patient required basal-bolus insulin therapy to achieve adequate glycaemic control after oral agents failed."

"cortisol"

The principal glucocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to stress and ACTH stimulation

"A 24-hour urinary cortisol measurement was requested to screen for Cushing's syndrome."

"parathyroid hormone"

A hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that regulates calcium and phosphate homeostasis

"Elevated parathyroid hormone with hypercalcaemia pointed to primary hyperparathyroidism as the underlying diagnosis."

"aldosterone"

A mineralocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that regulates sodium retention and potassium excretion in the kidneys

"Persistent hypertension with hypokalaemia prompted measurement of the aldosterone-to-renin ratio."

"growth hormone"

A pituitary hormone that stimulates somatic growth, cell reproduction, and metabolic processes throughout the body

"Insulin-like growth factor-1 levels were suppressed, supporting a diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in the adolescent."

"testosterone"

The principal androgen hormone produced by the testes in men and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands and ovaries

"Total testosterone was measured at 08:00 on two separate mornings to confirm hypogonadism in the patient."

"glycated haemoglobin"

A blood test measuring the percentage of haemoglobin bound to glucose, reflecting average blood sugar over the preceding two to three months

"A glycated haemoglobin of 9.2% indicated poor long-term glycaemic control and prompted intensification of therapy."

"insulin resistance"

A condition in which cells fail to respond normally to insulin, requiring higher levels to achieve the same glucose-lowering effect

"Insulin resistance was evident from the markedly elevated fasting insulin level despite normal blood glucose."

"diabetic ketoacidosis"

A life-threatening complication of diabetes characterised by hyperglycaemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis

"The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit with diabetic ketoacidosis and a pH of 7.08."

"hypoglycaemia"

An abnormally low blood glucose concentration, typically below 4 mmol/L, causing symptoms such as tremor, sweating, and confusion

"Recurrent nocturnal hypoglycaemia prompted a switch to a long-acting insulin analogue with a flatter profile."

"continuous glucose monitoring"

A technology that uses a subcutaneous sensor to measure interstitial glucose levels in real time throughout the day and night

"Continuous glucose monitoring revealed significant postprandial glucose excursions that were not captured by routine finger-stick testing."

"SGLT2 inhibitor"

A class of oral antidiabetic drugs that block glucose reabsorption in the kidney proximal tubule, lowering blood sugar and providing cardiovascular and renal benefits

"An SGLT2 inhibitor was added to the regimen given the patient's established heart failure and type 2 diabetes."

"diabetic neuropathy"

Nerve damage caused by chronic hyperglycaemia, presenting as numbness, burning pain, or autonomic dysfunction

"Diabetic neuropathy affecting both feet was confirmed by reduced vibration sense and absent ankle reflexes."

"time in range"

The percentage of time a patient's glucose values fall within the target range of 3.9 to 10 mmol/L, a key metric in modern diabetes management

"After starting closed-loop insulin therapy, the patient's time in range improved from 48% to 72%."

"levothyroxine"

A synthetic form of thyroxine used as hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism

"The dose of levothyroxine was titrated upward until the thyroid-stimulating hormone fell within the normal reference range."

"Graves' disease"

An autoimmune disorder causing hyperthyroidism through stimulating antibodies that activate the TSH receptor on the thyroid gland

"Graves' disease was confirmed by positive TSH receptor antibodies and diffuse uptake on a thyroid scan."

"radioiodine therapy"

Treatment using orally administered iodine-131 to ablate overactive or cancerous thyroid tissue

"Following failure of antithyroid drug therapy, the patient elected to proceed with radioiodine therapy."

"fine-needle aspiration"

A minimally invasive biopsy technique using a thin needle to sample cells from a thyroid nodule for cytological analysis

"Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the 2.3 cm nodule returned a Bethesda category IV result."

"thyroid storm"

A rare, life-threatening exacerbation of hyperthyroidism presenting with fever, tachycardia, altered consciousness, and multi-organ dysfunction

"The patient presented in thyroid storm following emergency abdominal surgery and required intensive multi-drug therapy."

"Hashimoto's thyroiditis"

An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to progressive hypothyroidism

"Elevated anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and hypoechoic texture on ultrasound confirmed Hashimoto's thyroiditis."

"thyroid nodule"

A discrete lesion within the thyroid gland detected on physical examination or imaging that requires evaluation for malignancy

"A thyroid nodule measuring 18 mm with microcalcifications was identified incidentally on a neck ultrasound."

"papillary thyroid carcinoma"

The most common malignancy of the thyroid gland, characterised by slow growth and frequently lymph node spread

"Total thyroidectomy was performed for papillary thyroid carcinoma followed by radioiodine ablation therapy."

"Cushing's syndrome"

A clinical disorder caused by prolonged exposure to excess glucocorticoids, characterised by central obesity, striae, and hypertension

"The combination of easy bruising, proximal myopathy, and moon face led to investigation for Cushing's syndrome."

"Addison's disease"

Primary adrenal insufficiency caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex, leading to cortisol and aldosterone deficiency

"The patient with Addison's disease was educated on sick-day rules and prescribed an emergency hydrocortisone injection kit."

"pheochromocytoma"

A catecholamine-secreting tumour arising from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, causing episodic hypertension, sweating, and palpitations

"Fractionated plasma metanephrines were markedly elevated, strongly suggesting a pheochromocytoma on the right adrenal gland."

"prolactinoma"

The most common type of functioning pituitary tumour, secreting excess prolactin and causing galactorrhoea, amenorrhoea, and hypogonadism

"MRI confirmed a macroprolactinoma measuring 15 mm and the patient was commenced on cabergoline therapy."

"adrenal insufficiency"

A life-threatening condition in which the adrenal glands fail to produce adequate cortisol, requiring steroid replacement therapy

"Adrenal insufficiency was precipitated by abrupt withdrawal of long-term corticosteroid therapy."

"acromegaly"

A condition caused by excess growth hormone secretion in adults, leading to progressive enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial features

"Acromegaly was diagnosed after failure to suppress growth hormone to below 1 ng/mL during an oral glucose tolerance test."

"Conn's syndrome"

Primary hyperaldosteronism caused most commonly by an adrenal adenoma, presenting with hypertension and hypokalaemia

"CT of the adrenal glands revealed a 1.4 cm right-sided adenoma consistent with Conn's syndrome."

"adrenal crisis"

An acute, potentially fatal episode of severe adrenal insufficiency requiring immediate intravenous hydrocortisone and fluid resuscitation

"The patient presented in adrenal crisis with hypotension and vomiting and was given 100 mg hydrocortisone intravenously."

"polycystic ovary syndrome"

A common endocrine disorder characterised by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound

"Polycystic ovary syndrome was diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria after excluding other causes of hyperandrogenism."

"hyperandrogenism"

Excess androgen activity in women, causing hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularity

"Hyperandrogenism was confirmed by a raised free androgen index and clinical evidence of hirsutism by Ferriman-Gallwey scoring."

"hypogonadism"

A condition in which the gonads produce insufficient sex hormones, causing infertility, reduced libido, and other symptoms depending on sex and age of onset

"Secondary hypogonadism was identified following pituitary MRI showing a macroadenoma compressing the stalk."

"menopause"

The permanent cessation of menstruation due to ovarian follicle depletion, defined retrospectively after twelve consecutive months of amenorrhoea

"The patient was confirmed to have reached menopause and was counselled about hormone replacement therapy options."

"hormone replacement therapy"

The administration of oestrogen with or without progestogen to relieve menopausal symptoms and reduce osteoporosis risk

"Transdermal hormone replacement therapy was preferred to minimise the venous thromboembolism risk in this patient."

"premature ovarian insufficiency"

Loss of normal ovarian function before the age of 40, resulting in oestrogen deficiency and infertility

"Premature ovarian insufficiency was confirmed by elevated FSH on two measurements six weeks apart in a 34-year-old woman."

"anti-Müllerian hormone"

A glycoprotein secreted by ovarian granulosa cells that reflects ovarian reserve and is used in fertility assessment

"Anti-Müllerian hormone of 0.4 pmol/L indicated severely diminished ovarian reserve in the patient seeking IVF."

"congenital adrenal hyperplasia"

A group of inherited disorders affecting adrenal steroidogenesis, most commonly causing androgen excess due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency

"Newborn screening detected classic salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia requiring urgent glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement."

"biochemical remission"

The normalisation of relevant hormone levels following treatment, used to define successful management of conditions such as acromegaly or Cushing's disease

"Biochemical remission was achieved six months after transsphenoidal surgery, with IGF-1 returning to the normal range."

"titration"

The gradual adjustment of a drug dose to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while minimising side effects

"Levothyroxine titration was guided by serial TSH measurements taken six weeks after each dose change."

"dynamic function test"

A diagnostic procedure in which a hormonal stimulus or suppression agent is administered to assess the responsiveness of an endocrine axis

"A short Synacthen test was performed as a dynamic function test to evaluate adrenal cortical reserve."

"lifestyle modification"

Non-pharmacological interventions including dietary change, increased physical activity, and weight loss recommended as first-line treatment in many endocrine conditions

"Lifestyle modification including a 7% reduction in body weight improved insulin sensitivity and restored ovulation in the patient with PCOS."

"sick-day rules"

Patient instructions on how to adjust steroid or insulin doses during illness to prevent adrenal crisis or glycaemic deterioration

"The endocrinologist explained the sick-day rules and ensured the patient knew to double her hydrocortisone dose during febrile illness."

"multidisciplinary team"

A group of healthcare professionals from different specialties who collaborate to manage complex endocrine conditions

"The pituitary multidisciplinary team recommended primary surgery over radiotherapy given the tumour's size and proximity to the optic chiasm."

"shared decision-making"

A collaborative process in which the clinician and patient discuss options and reach a management plan that reflects both clinical evidence and patient preferences

"Through shared decision-making, the patient chose radioiodine therapy over surgery after discussing the risks and benefits of each approach."

"endocrine emergency"

An acute, life-threatening hormonal crisis such as myxoedema coma, thyroid storm, adrenal crisis, or severe hypoglycaemia requiring immediate intervention

"The on-call endocrinologist was contacted urgently because the patient presented with features of an endocrine emergency — hypotension, hypothermia, and altered consciousness."