endocrinology physician Interview Questions and Answers

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Endocrinology Physician Interview Questions and Answers

  1. What are the key differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

    • Answer: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This results in an absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, where the body's cells don't respond properly to insulin, and eventually, the pancreas may not produce enough insulin to compensate. Type 1 typically presents in childhood or adolescence, while type 2 is more common in adults, often associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Type 1 requires lifelong insulin therapy, while type 2 may be managed initially with lifestyle modifications and oral medications, progressing to insulin therapy if needed.

  2. Describe the pathophysiology of Cushing's syndrome.

    • Answer: Cushing's syndrome results from prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol. This can be due to various causes, including pituitary adenomas (producing excess ACTH), adrenal adenomas or carcinomas (producing excess cortisol), or ectopic ACTH secretion from tumors outside the pituitary gland. Elevated cortisol leads to a wide range of symptoms including weight gain, moon face, buffalo hump, hypertension, muscle weakness, and impaired glucose tolerance. The pathophysiology involves the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, leading to excessive cortisol production and its downstream effects on various metabolic pathways.

  3. Explain the diagnostic approach to hyperthyroidism.

    • Answer: The diagnostic approach begins with a thorough clinical evaluation focusing on symptoms like weight loss, tachycardia, tremor, and heat intolerance. Laboratory testing is crucial and includes measuring serum TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), free T4 (thyroxine), and free T3 (triiodothyronine). Low TSH with elevated free T4 and/or free T3 is highly suggestive of hyperthyroidism. Further investigations, such as thyroid ultrasound and radioactive iodine uptake scan, may be necessary to pinpoint the cause (e.g., Graves' disease, toxic adenoma, thyroiditis).

  4. What are the long-term complications of poorly managed diabetes?

    • Answer: Poorly managed diabetes can lead to a wide array of serious long-term complications affecting various organ systems. These include cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease), nephropathy (kidney damage), retinopathy (eye damage, potentially leading to blindness), neuropathy (nerve damage, causing pain, numbness, and loss of sensation), and foot ulcers (which can lead to amputations). Furthermore, it increases the risk of developing cognitive impairment and certain types of cancer.

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