Endocrinology Practice Questions

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cretinism. Cretinism is the most common cause of preventable mental deficiency worldwide due to severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy. Iodine is crucial for thyroid hormone production, which is essential for fetal brain development. Beriberi disease (A) is caused by thiamine deficiency and affects the nervous system, not mental deficiency. Folate deficiency (C) can cause neural tube defects but not mental deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency (D) can lead to blindness and immune system issues, but not the most common cause of preventable mental deficiency.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Tertiary hyperparathyroidism occurs due to prolonged secondary hyperparathyroidism in response to chronic renal failure. 2. In chronic renal failure, impaired kidney function leads to reduced activation of vitamin D and impaired calcium regulation. 3. Persistent hypocalcemia triggers the parathyroid glands to overproduce parathyroid hormone, leading to tertiary hyperparathyroidism. 4. Rickets (choice A) is associated with vitamin D deficiency, pseudohypoparathyroidism (choice B) is a genetic disorder, and malabsorption syndrome (choice D) affects nutrient absorption, but they are not commonly linked to tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fine hairs. In secondary hypothyroidism, the pituitary gland fails to produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), resulting in low thyroid hormone levels. Fine hairs (or hair thinning) is a symptom of hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism. Normal cholesterol levels (Choice A) are seen in secondary hypothyroidism due to decreased metabolic rate. Menorrhagia (Choice B) can occur due to hormonal imbalances caused by untreated hypothyroidism. Low TSH levels (Choice C) are a characteristic feature of secondary hypothyroidism as the pituitary gland is not producing enough TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Neovascularization. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is characterized by early changes such as retinal vascular microaneurysms, blot hemorrhages, and cotton-wool spots. Neovascularization is a feature of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, not non-proliferative. Neovascularization refers to the growth of abnormal new blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to severe vision loss if not treated promptly. In summary, neovascularization is not consistent with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, as it is a hallmark of the proliferative stage.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Anorexia nervosa can affect both males and females. 2. Therefore, it is not exclusively in females. 3. Hypokalaemia, primary amenorrhea, and low FSH and LH are commonly associated with anorexia nervosa. 4. Choice C is incorrect as anorexia nervosa can affect individuals of any gender.