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Endocrinology - Diseases & USMLE MCQs
7 clinical summaries in endocrinology - each with pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, management, high-yield pearls, sample USMLE MCQs and an illustration from our medical library. Free to read, no login.
Addison Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency)
Autoimmune (most common) or infectious destruction of the adrenal cortex causes cortisol, aldosterone and androgen deficiency. Presents with fatigue, hyperpigmentation, hyponatraemia and hyperkalaemia.
Reviewed 19 May 2026
Cushing Syndrome
Chronic glucocorticoid excess - most commonly iatrogenic; endogenous causes include pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma (Cushing disease), ectopic ACTH (small-cell lung cancer, carcinoid) and adrenal adenoma/carcinoma.
Reviewed 13 May 2026
Graves Disease (Autoimmune Hyperthyroidism)
Most common cause of hyperthyroidism. TSH receptor-stimulating IgG antibodies (TRAb) drive diffuse goitre, thyrotoxicosis, orbitopathy and pretibial myxoedema.
Reviewed 2 May 2026
Hashimoto Thyroiditis (Chronic Autoimmune Hypothyroidism)
Most common cause of hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient regions. Chronic lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid with anti-TPO antibodies causes progressive gland destruction and low T4.
Reviewed 30 Jun 2026
Pheochromocytoma
Catecholamine-secreting tumour of adrenal medulla chromaffin cells (paraganglioma if extra-adrenal). Causes episodic hypertension, headache, palpitations and sweating; up to 40% are hereditary.
Reviewed 19 Jul 2026
Prolactinoma
Most common functioning pituitary adenoma. Excess prolactin causes hypogonadism, galactorrhoea and, for macroadenomas, mass effects (headache, bitemporal hemianopia).
Reviewed 30 Jun 2026
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Progressive metabolic disease of peripheral insulin resistance plus relative beta-cell failure causing chronic hyperglycaemia, microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy) and macrovascular (MI, stroke) complications.
Reviewed 10 Jun 2026
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