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M R C P  ( G L A S G O - U K ) ,  M R C P - I R E L A N D
for MRCP, part 1 & 2
3rd edition. 2022

Updated 2022
 
Third edition
Notes & Notes
 
For MRCP 
By
Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad
Volume 1

Foreword 
 
With the grace of the Almighty Allah, I have introduced the third edition of the popular 
book, the Notes & Notes for MRCP Part & 2. 
The MRCP exam requires a wide range of information, particular thinking, and 
question directed experience. 
 This book is directed mainly at those who need comprehensive revision of the topics 
which commonly appear in the written MRCP exams. 
It will be helpful to go through these topics before you start solving the best of the 
five questions; it is also recommended to go quickly over this book in the last few 
weeks before the day of your exam. 
This new edition contains the new published guidelines. 
 
I hope you will find the maximum benefits from this book to get through MRCP 
written exams. 
 
To practice the best of five questions we advise you to join the best website for 
MRCP passonexam.com 
For any enquiry or comment, please do not hesitate to contact me. 
 
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be 
kindled.” ― Plutarch. 
 
 
March - 2022 
Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad  
Internal medicine specialist – Sudan medical counsel  
MRCPS- Glasgow- UK 
MRCP- Ireland  
Dryousif23 @gmail.com 
https://www.facebook.com/dryousif23

The 10 Golden Tips for MRCP written exams you will ever 
need 
  
1.       For MRCP, do not read hard; read smart. 
2. Three to six months is usually enough for preparation. 
3. Practice the best of the five questions as much as 
possible. 
4. The few days before the exam date, stop revising 
questions and concentrate on your MRCP notes and top 
tips. 
5. Remember, you are getting ideas and concepts from the 
questions. 
6. Time factor in the exam room is the leading killer after 
poor preparation. 
7. Manage your time wisely. 
8. Read the end of the question first; if you can answer it 
without reading the whole scenario, it will save your time 
for the other tuff question (long scenario, .what is the 
action of imatinib?) 
9. Take care for any single word in the question, e.g. (the 
initial test, the diagnostic test, the best test, the next 
step) 
10. Practice, practice and practice.

Contents
 Chapter 1    Endocrinolog & Metabolism
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (Vasopressin) 
Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion 
(SIADH) (↑↑ ADH) ...................................
Diabetes insipidus (DI) ........................... 
Water deprivation test  ............................
Polyuria    -   Hyponatraemia .................
Hypopituitarism ......................................
Growth hormone (GH) ..........................
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) ......
Acromegaly ............................................
Laron›s syndrome ...................................
Nelson syndrome (post adrenalectomy syndrome)
Pituitary adenoma ....................................
Pituitary apoplexy .....................................
Hyperprolactinaemia ................................
Physiological effects of thyroid hormones
Calcitonin .................................................
Hypothyroidism ........................................
Pendred›s syndrome - Riedel›s thyroiditis
Sick euthyroid syndrome - Subclinical hypothyroidism
Abnormal thyroid function - Post-partum thyroiditis
Subacute (De Quervain›s) thyroiditis 
Subclinical hyperthyroidism .....................
Thyrotoxicosis ..........................................
Toxic multinodular goitre (TNG) (Plummer›s disease)
Toxic thyroid adenoma (solitary toxic nodule)
Graves› disease ...........................................
Antithyroid drugs ......................................
Radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) .............
Thyroidectomy .......................................
Amiodarone and the thyroid gland  
Thyroid eye disease ...............................
Thyroid storm (crisis) ...............................
Thyroid cancer .........................................
Thyroid nodule and fine-needle aspiration
Calcium metabolism ...............................
Hypercalcaemia ...............................................

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH)

Hypocalcaemia ...............................................

Magnesium (Mg) .....................................

Hypomagnesaemia .................................

Hypermagnesaemia ...............................

Vitamin D (calciferol) ...............................

Vitamin D deficiency .................................

Phosphate................................................   

Hypophosphataemia................................

Hyperparathyroidism.................................

Primary hyperparathyroidism....................

Secondary hyperparathyroidism...............

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism..................... 

Hypoparathyroidism .................................

Pseudohypoparathyroidism......................

Pseudo pseudohypoparathyroidism.......... 

Osteomalacia............................................

Osteopetrosis  -   Osteoporosis................

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis........

Osteoporosis: assessing fracture risk.......

Osteoporosis: management......................

Adrenal gland: Basics...............................  

Premature adrenarche..............................

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphates (DHEAS)

Cortisol............................................................

Aldosterone.....................................................

Adrenal hyperandrogenism..............................

Hyperaldosteronism: Overview.................

Primary hyperaldosteronism.....................

Aldosterone receptor antagonists..............

Adrenal incidentaloma...............................

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)

Glucocorticoid remediable aldosteronism (GRA)

Pseudohyperaldosteronism..................................

Syndrome of Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess (SAME)

Phaeochromocytoma................................

Primary hypoadrenalism (Addison›s disease).........

Chapter 1    Endocrinolog & Metabolism
Addisonian crisis......................................
Secondary hypoadrenalism.......................
Corticosteroids..........................................
Cushing›s syndrome (Hypercortisolism)
Pancreatic Hormones  - Glucose transporters
Glycaemic index (GI)........................................
Metabolic syndrome.........................................
Pre-diabetes or impaired glucose regulation (IGR)........
Diabetes mellitus: Type 1 overview...........
Diabetes mellitus: management of type 1.................
Diabetes mellitus: Type 2 overview...........
Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c)..........
Diabetes mellitus: management of type 2
Biguanides (metformin).............................
Sulphonylureas.........................................
Meglitinides...............................................
Thiazolidinediones (glitazones, insulin sensitizers)
Insulin: Basics.........................................
Insulin therapy..........................................
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)..............
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (gliptins)
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (gliflozins)
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.....................
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Overview
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Management
Hypoglycaemia.........................................
Diabetes mellitus: early morning hyperglycemia
Hypoglycaemia unawareness (HU)...........
Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS)
Diabetes mellitus: hypertension management
Post prandial pain in diabetics...................
Diabetic retinopathy..................................
Diabetic neuropathy..................................
Diabetic autonomic neuropathy................
Diabetic amyotrophy.................................
Diabetic foot..............................................
Diabetic neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot foot)
Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum.........

Diabetes mellitus: DVLA...........................

Insulinoma................................................

Glucagonoma...........................................

Monogenic diabetes: Maturity-onset 

diabetes of the young ( MODY)................

Latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood (LADA)

Mitochondrial diabetes.............................

Diabetes in pregnancy..............................

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)........

Pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy...........

Obesity: overview.....................................

Obesity: management (step-wise approach)

Lipid disorders: Overview........................

Familial Combined Hyperlipidaemia (type IIB)

Remnant hyperlipidaemia (type III)..........

Familial hypertriglyceridaemia..................

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)........

Secondary hypertriglyceridaemia.............

Hyperlipidaemia: management.................

Lipid-lowering agents...............................

Statins......................................................

Fibrates....................................................

Ezetimibe.................................................

Nicotinic acid  (niacin ).............................

Cholestyramine........................................

Tangier disease.........................................

Abetalipoproteinemia................................

Gynaecomastia.........................................

Physiological changes during pregnancy – endocrine

Physiological effects of LH, FSH, and sex hormones

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)........................

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Hirsutism..................................................

Hypertrichosis..........................................

Amenorrhoea............................................

Premature ovarian failure..........................

Menopause...............................................

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT).......

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)

Chapter 1    Endocrinolog & Metabolism
Androgen insensitivity syndrome..............
Disorders of sex hormones......................
Menstrual cycle.........................................
Hypogonadism..........................................
 Chapter 2    Pulmonology
Lung anatomy...........................................
Diaphragmatic paralysis (Phrenic nerve palsy)
Lung physiology........................................
Oxygen Dissociation Curve.......................
Pulmonary function tests...........................
Obstructive vs. Restrictive lung diseases 
Transfer factor...........................................
Transfer coefficient of carbon monoxide (KCO)
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)..........................
Chest x-ray...............................................
Pleural calcification - Solitary pulmonary nodules 
Alveolar-arterial (A-a) oxygen gradient..... 
Finger clubbing......................................... 
Respiratory failure.................................... 
Bronchial Asthma..................................... 
Acute severe asthma................................ 
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)
COPD: stable management..................... 
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV).................. 
Invasive ventilation..................................  
Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT)...........
Pulmonary embolism (PE)....................... 
Recurrent pulmonary emboli.................... 
Pulmonary embolism in pregnancy: 
diagnosis and management..................... 
Fat embolism............................................ 
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
Klebsiella Pneumonia............................... 
Legionella pneumonia (Legionnaires› disease)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae......................... 
Aspiration pneumonia............................... 
Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia) 
(Atypical pneumonia)..................................

Delayed puberty........................................

Multiple endocrine neoplasia.....................

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome 

(APS) (Polyglandular syndrome).....................

Pseudomonas pneumonia........................ 

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)........ 

Pneumocystis Jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Aspergillosis: Types.................................. 

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)

Aspergilloma............................................. 

Invasive aspergillosis (IA)......................... 

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency....... 

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Altitude related disorders.......................... 

Bronchiectasis.......................................... 

Cystic fibrosis (CF)................................... 

Occupational asthma................................ 

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP)............ 

Pneumoconiosis........................................ 

Asbestos and the lung.............................. 

Pleural mesothelioma............................... 

Silicosis..................................................... 

Berylliosis.................................................. 

Coal workers› pneumoconiosis (CWP)..... 

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).............. 

Kartagener›s syndrome............................ 

Lung cancer: General overview................. 

Lung cancer: paraneoplastic features....... 

Lung cancer: stepwise investigations....... 

Performance status for patient of lung cancer and COPD

Staging lung carcinoma............................. 

Treatment of lung cancer........................... 

Lung cancer induced superior vena cava 

obstruction (SVCO).................................. 

Pancoast tumor........................................ 

Lung metastases.......................................

Chapter 2   Pulmonology
Carcinoid lung tumour............................... 
Lung fibrosis: Causes................................ 
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) ........... 
Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO)..................... 
Post-extubation stridor (PES)....................
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)...............
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS)
Pneumothorax...........................................
Pleural effusion..........................................
Chylothorax...............................................
Haemothorax.............................................
Eosinophilic Pulmonary Diseases.............
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia...................
 Chapter 3   Gastroenterology
Achalasia...................................................
Dysphagia..................................................
Oesophageal disorders.............................
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Barrett›s oesophagus................................
Oesophagitis in immunosuppressive patients
Eosinophilic oesophagitis.........................
Oesophageal cancer..................................
Pharyngeal pouch.....................................
Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB)
Oesophageal varices................................
Esophageal Rupture..................................
Hiccup........................................................
Helicobacter pylori.....................................
Peptic ulcer................................................
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome........................
Somatostatin..............................................
Somatostatinoma.......................................
Gastric MALT lymphoma...........................
Gastroparesis............................................
Gastric cancer............................................
Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST)

Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia................

Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia................

Loffler›s syndrome.....................................

Cryptogenic organising pneumonia (COP)

Pulmonary hypertension (PH)...................

Sarcoidosis................................................

Lofgren›s syndrome...................................

Yellow nail syndrome.................................

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS)..........

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM)

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP)

Carbon monoxide poisoning.....................

Smoking cessation....................................

Menetrier›s disease...................................

Dyspepsia..................................................

Malabsorption............................................

Jejunal villous atrophy...............................

Coeliac disease.........................................

Whipple›s disease.....................................

Tropical Sprue...........................................

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)..................

Malnutrition................................................

Lactose intolerance...................................

Functional constipation.............................

Energy from food.......................................

Protein losing enteropathy.........................

Enteral feeding..........................................

Refeeding syndrome.................................

Melanosis coli............................................

Mesenteric ischaemia (ischaemic colitis)

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SBBOS)

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)

Abdominal tuberculosis (Tubercular peritonitis)

VIPoma......................................................

Volvulus....................................................

Chapter 3   Gastroenterology
Imaging in bowel obstruction.....................

Radiology: pneumoperitoneum.................

Dumping syndrome...................................

Small bowel lymphoma.............................

Acute pancreatitis.....................................

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

Pancreatic pseudocysts............................

Chronic pancreatitis...................................

Pancreatic cancer.....................................

Ascending cholangitis...............................

Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)........................

Functional gall bladder pain......................

Choledochal cysts.....................................

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction....................

Post-cholecystectomy syndrome..............

Bile-acid malabsorption............................

Primary biliary cirrhosis.............................

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)........

Cholangiocarcinoma.................................

Hepatomegaly............................................

Hepatosplenomegaly.................................

Liver function test......................................

Liver biopsy................................................

Acute liver failure.......................................

Ascites.......................................................

Liver cirrhosis............................................

Liver transplant..........................................

Portal hypertension....................................

Hepatic encephalopathy............................

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS)...................

Wilson›s disease.......................................

Hyponatraemia in Patients with chronic liver disease

Alcohol......................................................

Alcohol induced hypoglycemia.................

Alcohol - drinking problems: management

Disulfiram..................................................

Alcoholic liver disease..............................

The common abnormalities in chronic alcohol dependence

Alcoholic ketoacidosis...............................

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)  

(Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Liver abscess............................................

Hydatid cysts.............................................

Drug-induced liver disease........................

Budd-Chiari syndrome...............................

Gilbert›s syndrome....................................

Crigler-Najjar syndrome............................

Dubin-Johnson syndrome.........................

Autoimmune hepatitis................................

Ischaemic hepatitis...................................
Physiological liver changes during pregnancy

Gilbert›s &  Dubin-Johnson syndrome......

HELLP syndrome......................................

Obstetric cholestasis.................................

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP).......

Haemochromatosis...................................

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)...............

Carcinoid syndrome..................................

hepatic metastases....................................

Hepatitis A (HAV).......................................

Hepatitis B.................................................

Hepatitis B and pregnancy........................

Hepatitis C................................................

Hepatitis D................................................

Hepatitis E.................................................

Hepatitis histology.....................................

Colorectal cancer (CRC)...........................

Colorectal cancer: screening....................

Colorectal cancer: referral guidelines.......

AJCCC (American Joint Committee) 
Staging of Colorectal Cancer....................

Dysplastic colonic polyps..........................

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome..........................

Capsule endoscopy..................................

Pseudomyxoma peritonei.........................

Villous adenoma........................................

Chapter 3   Gastroenterology
Carcinoid tumours.....................................
Diverticular disease...................................
Meckel›s diverticulum...............................
Intussusception.........................................
Aorto-enteric fistulae (AEF).......................
Angiodysplasia..........................................
Anal fissure...............................................
Anal fistula.................................................
Crohn’s disease........................................
Crohn›s-like enterocolitis with mycophenolate mofetil
Ulcerative colitis.......................................
Inactive (quiescent) colitis.........................
Ulcerative colitis: colorectal cancer...........
Inflammatory bowel disease: key differences
IBD: histology...........................................
Microscopic colitis (Collagenous colitis 
and Lymphocytic colitis)............................
Collagenous colitis....................................
Lymphocytic colitis....................................

Toxic megacolon (Toxic dilatation of the colon)

Radiation enteritis....................................

Gastroenteritis..........................................

Diarrhoea..................................................

Biochemical abnormalities in persistent vomiting

Giardiasis..................................................

Clostridium perfringens..............................

Bacillus cereus..........................................

Shigella......................................................

Yersinia enterocolitica................................

Gastrointestinal parasitic infections...........

Exotoxins and endotoxins.........................

Pseudomembranous colitis (Clostridium difficile)

Gastroenteritis (GI)....................................

Scombrotoxin food poisoning....................

Perforated viscus......................................

Endoscopy in patients on antiplatelet or 

anticoagulant therapy................................

Third edition
Notes & Notes
 
For MRCP part 1 & 11
 
Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad
 
Endocrinology
 
& 
 
Metabolism
 
 
Updated 2022

 
By

Chapter 1

Endocrinolog & Metabolism 
 
Pituitary gland conditions 
 
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (Vasopressin) 
 
Overview 
• Synthesized in the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus. 
• Stored and secreted from the posterior pituitary gland 
• it contains arginine, so called arginine vasopressin (AVP) 
• Vasoconstrictive effects at higher levels 
• Increase of urea reabsorption in the collecting duct: increases the corticomedullary gradient 
and facilitates urine concentration 
• ACTH release  
 
Functions 
1) Antidiuresis: Act on V2 receptors → ↑↑ transcription and insertion of water 
(Aquaporin-2) channels into the apical membrane of distal convoluted tubule and 
collecting duct epithelial cells →  ↑↑ water permeability → ↑ water reabsorption (retain 
water in the body) → excretion of more concentrated urine, i.e., antidiuresis. 
2) Act on V1 receptors → Increase smooth muscle contraction (Vasoconstriction, uterine, GI 
and indirectly ↓coronary artery blood flow). 
3) Increase release of von Willebrand & factor VIII., (Desmopressin used for haemophilia 
A & Von Willebrand disease). 
4) Increase platelet aggregation, (prothrombotic at high dose). 
 
Vasopressin receptors  
 
Receptor  
Second 
messenger  
Location  
Action  
Agonist  
♦Terlipressin  ↑ splanchnic 
VC  ↓ esophageal varices 
bleeding.  
♦ Felypressin  prolong the 
action of local anesthesia (safer 
than epinephrine in cardiac 
patients) 
V3 or 
(V1b) 
V 1 or 
(V1a) 
♦ vascular 
smooth 
muscle,  
♦ platelet,  
♦hepatocytes,  
♦ myometrium 
G proteincoupled, 
phosphatidyli
nositol/ 
calcium 
anterior 
pituitary 
gland 
G proteincoupled, 
phosphatidyli
nositol/ 
calcium 
Renal  
basolateral 
membrane of 
collecting duct, 
 
 
 
 
V2 
 
 
 
Adenylate 
cyclase/ 
cAMP 
Extra renal  
(vascular 
endothelium) 
 
 
Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad

♦vasoconstriction,  
♦ myocardial 
hypertrophy,  
♦ platelet aggregation,  
♦ glycogenolysis,  
♦ uterine contraction  
releases ACTH, prolactin, 
endorphins 
 
Anti-diuresis  
(Insertion of aquaporin2 channels)  
♦ Vasopressin (weak , short 
acting , given SC or IM) 
♦ Desmopressin (more potent, 
long acting, given intra-nasally) 
Desmopressin (used for 
haemophilia A & Von Willebrand 
disease) 
↑↑ release of von 
Willebrand & factor VIII.

Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad

Factors increase secretion of vasopressin (stimulatory factors): 
• Increased osmolality of plasma (The main stimulus).  
 
• Reduced extracellular volume, hypovolaemia, blood loss, and hypotension (less sensitive 
stimulus). 
• decreased thirst perception and reduced fluid intake.  
• Advancing age  
• Angiotensin II 
• Hypoglycemia 
• Increased pain 
• Opiates 
• Nicotine 
• Antineoplastic drugs 
• Carbamazepine  
 
Factors decreases secretion of vasopressin (inhibitory factors): 
• genetic conditions (Wolfram syndrome),  
• tumours (Craniopharyngioma, Germinoma),  
• inflammatory conditions (Sarcoidosis, Histiocytosis). 
• Ethanol (alcohol)  ↓↓ calcium-dependent secretion of AVP  
• Atrial natriuretic peptide, by inhibiting Angiotensin II-induced stimulation of AVP secretion 
• Cortisol 
 
MRCPI-part-1- January 2018: H/O RTA + rapid pulse and low BP + low Na. 
• What is the most likely explanation for this patient's hyponatremia? 
 Physiologic ADH (vasopressin) secretion 
 Hyponatremia that develops after massive hemorrhage is likely dilutional. 
 When baroreceptors detect decreases in effective arterial volume, such as after 
massive blood loss, they cause antidiuretic hormone (ADH) to be released from 
the pituitary gland to increase renal reabsorption of free water, diluting serum 
sodium levels and causing hyponatremia.  
• What is the appropriate management of this patient? 
 normal saline.  
 Management of hypovolemic hyponatremia includes volume repletion with 
normal saline.  
 Correction of hypovolemia removes the stimulus to release ADH, causing free 
water excretion by the kidneys, which leads to rapid correction of serum sodium 
levels.  
 volume repletion with normal saline must occur at a slow rate, because rapid 
correction of hyponatremia can cause central pontine myelinolysis. 
 
May 2016 exam -part-1: Which adaptive mechanism that prevent dying from dehydration?  
 Increase of aquaporin-2 in the collecting duct. 
 ADH (vasopressin)  ↑ aquaporin-2 expression  ↓ water excretion  protect against 
dehydration

Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad
Chapter 1

Endocrinolog & Metabolism 
 
MRCPUK-part-1-january-2018: You are reviewing a patient with a history of cranial diabetes 
insipidus. He is passing 4–6 litres of urine per day. 
Expression of which channel is likely to be decreased most in the collecting duct? 
 Aquaporin 2  
 It is found in the apical membranes of collecting duct principal cells.  
 Aquaporin 2 gene expression is increased by vasopressin, which leads to increased 
re-absorption of free water. Expression is therefore downregulated in response to 
cranial diabetes insipidus. 
____________________________________________________ 
Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH) (↑↑ ADH) 
Definition  
 
• The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is a disorder of 
impaired water excretion caused by the inability to suppress the secretion of antidiuretic 
hormone (ADH) leading to euvolaemic, hypotonic hyponatraemia. 
 
Causes 
Category 
Examples 
Malignancy 
• 
Small cell lung cancer  (The most common cause) 
• 
Less common head and neck cancer, olfactory neuroblastoma 
Neurological 
• 
Stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, subdural haemorrhage 
• 
Meningitis/encephalitis/abscess 
Infections 
• 
Pneumonia, tuberculosis, symptomatic HIV,  
Drugs 
• 
Sulfonylureas , Thiazides 
• 
SSRIs, tricyclics, mono-amine oxidase uptake inhibitors, phenothiazines 
• 
carbamazepine 
• 
vincristine , vinblastine 
• 
cyclophosphamide, chlorpropamide 
• 
omeprazole 
Other causes 
• 
Surgical procedures 
• 
porphyrias (SIADH is associated with acute intermittent porphyria) 
 
Mechanisms 
• ↑↑ (ADH) ↑↑ water retention  Euvolemic hyponatraemia (dilutional effects)  low 
plasma osmolality + high urine osmolality with an elevated urine sodium (above 20 mmol/L)  
• Osmotic fluid shifts → Cerebral edema and ↑ intracranial pressure 
Features 
• 
 Symptoms of hyponatremia (usually asymptomatic until the sodium level falls below 120 
mmol/l)   
 Mild: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle cramps (the earliest 
symptoms of acute hyponatremia are  nausea and vomiting.) 
 Moderate: muscle weakness, lethargy, confusion 
 Severe: seizures, altered consciousness  
• 
Normotensive 
• 
Symptoms of the underlying condition

Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad

Diagnostic criteria: SIADH can only be diagnosed when the following criteria are satisfied:  
1. The patient is clinically euvolaemic (no clinical evidence of fluid overload (oedema) or 
dehydration)  
2. ↓ Plasma sodium (<134 mmol/l)  → hypoosmolality (<280 mOsmol/kg)  
3. ↑ Urine sodium (>20 mmol/l) and osmolality (>100 mOsmol/kg) → concentrated urine 
4. Normal thyroid, adrenal, and renal function. 
 It is important to note that normal thyroid is referring to primary hypothyroidism. 
Euthyroid sick syndrome does not preclude the diagnosis of SIADH. 
 
Diagnostic criteria  
 
Diagnostic criteria for SIADH 
Clinical and/or laboratory findings 
Hyponatremia 
↓ Serum sodium < 135 mEq/L 
Hypoosmolality 
↓ Serum osmolality < 275 mOsm/kg 
Concentrated urine 
↑ Urine osmolality > 100 mOsm/kg 
Elevated urinary sodium 
↑ Urine sodium concentration > 20 mEq/L 
Euvolemia 
 No signs of hypovolemia 
 No signs of hypervolemia (e.g. oedema) 
No alternative causes 
 Normal thyroid, adrenal, and renal function → Other 
causes of euvolemic hypotonic hyponatremia have been 
excluded (e.g., hypothyroidism, hypercortisolism, AKI) 
 It is important to note that normal thyroid is referring to 
primary hypothyroidism. Euthyroid sick syndrome does 
not preclude the diagnosis of SIADH. 
 
 
Differential diagnosis 
• 
Cerebral salt wasting (CSW)  
 hypovolaemia , hyponatraemia and grossly elevated urine sodium (>100)  in patient 
with head injury. 
 it treated with replacing fluid and sodium losses, whereas SIADH treated with 
fluid restriction  
SIADH patients are usually euvolemic, normotensive, and have no edema. A hyponatremic 
patient with edema should raise suspicion of other conditions (e.g. congestive heart 
failure)

Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad
Chapter 1

Endocrinolog & Metabolism 
 
Management 
Restriction of water intake is the initial treatment of choice for hyponatraemic patients with 
SIADH who are not at imminent risk of seizures or coma. This precipitates a gradual rise in 
serum sodium, not greater than the recommended maximum of 8–10 mmol/day. 
 
• 
Sever acute symptomatic hyponatraemia: (who present with neurologic abnormalities, 
e.g. seizures or ↓ conscious level). 
 hypertonic (3%) saline given via continuous infusion 
 Infusion of hypertonic (3%) saline is reserved for patients with acute severe 
life-threatening hyponatraemia, usually where sodium is less than 120 
mmol/l and there are significant neurological features (i.e. seizures or GCS 
less than 11). 
 correction must be done slowly to avoid precipitating central pontine myelinolysis 
 The sodium serum levels may increase by a maximum of 10 mmol/L within 24 
hours or 0.5 mmol/L per hour. 
• Mild acute OR chronic hyponatraemia: (Na+ ≥ 120 and NO neurological signs) 
 1st line → fluid restriction (the initial treatment of choice) 
 Restriction of fluid to a daily intake of less than 800 mL/day. 
 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage are an exception since fluid restriction may promote 
cerebral vasospasm. 
 2nd  line → demeclocycline 
 it is a semi-synthetic tetracycline antibiotic →reduces the responsiveness of the collecting 
tubule cells to ADH (by inducing nephrogenic diabetes insipidus) 
 3rd line →  ADH (vasopressin) receptor antagonists have been developed (ie. 
tolvaptan) 
 Side effects → hepatotoxicity, excessive thirst 
 
SIADH initial treatment: 
• If there is obvious precipitant (eg: drug) → stop the precipitant agent 
• where there is no obvious precipitant → fluid restriction → demeclocycline 
____________________________________________________
Diabetes insipidus (DI)  
 
Diabetes insipidus is characterised by a high plasma osmolality and a low urine osmolality 
 
Definition 
• The passage of large volumes (>3 L/24 hr) of dilute urine (< 300 mOsm/kg) due to 
deficiency of or insensitivity to antidiuretic hormone (ADH).  
 
Types and mechanisms of DI 
 
1. Cranial DI: caused by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (the most common 
type) 
2. Nephrogenic DI: caused by insensitivity to ADH (rare) 
3. Primary polydipsia (dipsogenic DI): caused by a primary defect in osmoregulation of 
thirst. 
4. Gestational DI:  caused by degradation of vasopressin by a placental vasopressinase.

Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad

Causes of cranial DI 
• 
Primary  
 Idiopathic (the most common primary cause) 
 Hereditary (rare): Wolfram's syndrome (DIDMOAD) : association of cranial 
Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy and Deafness. 
• 
Secondary 
 Brain tumors (especially craniopharyngioma) and cerebral metastasis  
 Neurosurgery: usually after the removal of large adenomas 
 Traumatic brain injury, pituitary bleeding, subarachnoid hemorrhage 
 Pituitary ischemia (e.g., Sheehan syndrome, ischemic stroke) 
 Infection (e.g., meningitis) 
 Sarcoidosis 
 Wolfram’s syndrome or the DIDMOAD syndrome is characterised by diabetes insipidus, 
diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and deafness 
 
Causes of nephrogenic DI 
• 
Genetic: two forms: 
1. vasopressin-2 receptor (V2 ADH) mutation  
 the more common form, X linked (usually male are affected) 
2. mutations in the aquaporin-2 gene → ↓water reabsorption in the distal tubule. 
 less common form , autosomal recessive 
• 
Electrolytes:  
 hypercalcaemia 
 hypokalaemia → desensitization of renal tubules to (ADH) → ↑ water excretion  
• 
Drugs: the commonest precipitants 
 tetracycline (demeclocycline) 
 lithium → enters the principal cells of the collecting duct through the epithelial 
sodium channels (ENac) → inhibits signalling pathways that involve glycogen 
synthase kinase type 3 beta (GSK3beta) →  dysfunction of aquaporin-2 water 
channel →  nephrogenic DI.  
• 
Tubulo-interstitial disease: obstruction, sickle cell trait, pyelonephritis, Sjögren's 
syndrome. 
• 
Pregnancy (combined renal hyposensitivity to ADH, increased placental elimination of 
ADH, lowered thirst threshold and effect of fluid retention) 
 
Hypokalaemia is a rare cause of polyuria and polydipsia 
 
Nephrogenic DI is the most common adverse effect of lithium and occurs in up to 40% of 
patients 
 
Features 
• 
Polyuria 
 urine output is > 50 ml/kg per day (3000 ml for a 60-kg female). 
 Nocturia → Restless sleep, daytime sleepiness (In the absence 
of nocturia, diabetes insipidus is very unlikely) 
• 
Polydipsia

Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad
Chapter 1

Endocrinolog & Metabolism 
 
Diagnosis  
In suspected DI  the most appropriate next investigation is →  Urine and plasma osmolality 
(non-invasive first step) 
 
• 
High plasma osmolality 
 plasma osmolality >305 mOsmol/kg 
 serum [Na] >145 mmol/L 
• 
Low urine osmolality 
 urine osmolality <200 mOsm/kg 
 urinary [Na] 20-60 mmol/L 
 urinary specific gravity <1.005. 
• 
Water deprivation test with response to desmopressin (The patient is deprived of fluids 
for up to eight hours or 5% loss of body weight, following which desmopressin (DDAVP®) 2 
micrograms (IM) is given).  
 CDI → ↓ urine osmolality and ↑ serum osmolality CORRECTED by Desmopressin 
administration (plasma osmolality normalizes and urine osmolality  rises). 
 NDI → low urine osmolality and elevated serum osmolality, with no significant 
response to desmopressin. 
• CT scan or MRI of the head: If CDI is diagnosed, to rule out brain tumors  
 
Management 
• Central DI 
 Mild CDI (urine output 3-4 litres/24 hours) → increase oral water intake.  
 
oral or nasogastric water is the replacement fluid of choice as this route 
provides a good buffer against rapid changes in serum sodium. 
 
 If the urine output continues to be greater than 250 ml/hr → Desmopressin 
(Synthetic ADH) is the drug of choice.  
 
• Nephrogenic DI → correct the underlying cause (e.g. stop the responsible drug) 
 Thiazide diuretic (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), amiloride (K- sparing diuretic) → act on 
Distal Convoluted Tubule and inhibit the NaCl cotransporter and thus exaggerate the 
hypovolemia and increase an already activated renin–angiotensin–aldosterone 
system (RAAS) further. This mechanism stimulates proximal tubule sodium and 
water reabsorption resulting in less volume delivery to the collecting tubules where 
ADH work. 
 NSAIDs (indomethacin) → inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, which has antagonistic 
effects on ADH. 
 Amiloride is the drug of choice for lithium – induced nephrogenic DI  → blocks 
the epithelial sodium channel (ENac) in the collecting duct where lithium enter 
and causes DI. 
 
Rate of hypernatraemia correction 
• Symptomatic patients with acute hypernatraemia (developed within 48h) → 5mmol/L in the 
first hour (or until symptoms improve) and is limited to 10mmol/L per 24h. 
• No or mild symptoms → the rate of correction should not exceeding 0.5mmol/L/h and is 
limited to 10mmol/L/24h.

Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad

Fluid status in DI 
• Total body water: decrease 
• Extracellular fluid: increase 
• Intracellular fluid: decrease 
 DI → losing hypotonic fluid in the urine  → ↑ osmolarity of the extracellular fluid  →  water 
will flow out of the intracellular compartment and into the extracellular compartment  → 
↑extracellular fluid volume and ↓intracellular fluid volume. 
 
Which part of the nephron is most affected in diabetes insipidus? 
Cortical and medullary collecting tubules 
 
 
If there is hypovolaemic hypernatraemia ((hypotension, tachycardia, poor skin turgor)): The 
first step is to restore volume with isotonic fluids (0.9% saline).  
___________________________________________________________________ 
Water deprivation test 
 
Overview  
• 
The diagnostic test to confirm Dl is a water deprivation test. 
• 
The goal of water restriction is to raise the plasma sodium to at least 145 mEq/L and 
plasma osmolality to 295 mOsmol/kg to stimulate enough ADH release to concentrate urine 
in normal subjects. If water restriction does not raise the Na and osmolality to this level, 
hypertonic saline infusion may be necessary.  
• 
Normal plasma osmolality is 285-305 mosmol/kg. 
• 
The normal 24-hour urine osmolality is, on average, 500-800 mOsm/kg of water.  
Method 
• 
Prevent patient drinking water (for a period of 8 h or until 5% of body weight is lost).  
• 
Ask patient to empty bladder 
• 
Patients should be weighed hourly.  
• 
Test urine volume and osmolality every hour 
• 
Test sodium and plasma osmolality every two hours 
• Water deprivation continues until one of the following occurs: 
1. Urine osmolality rises and reaches a normal value (> 600 mOsmol/kg) → DI ruled 
out and primary polydipsia confirmed 
 Where urine osmolality reaches levels above 600 mOsmol/kg without 
desmopressin, then the diagnosis is primary polydipsia.  
2. No change in urine osmolality despite a rising plasma osmolality (> 290 mOsmol/kg) 
3. Plasma osmolality > 295–300 mOsmol/kg or sodium ≥ 145 meq/L 
• In the latter two situations → administer desmopressin (a synthetic ADH analog) 2 μg 
intramuscular 
 Monitor urine osmolality testing every 30 minutes for 2 hours 
 In CDI: Urine osmolality rises (> 600) after desmopressin administration (renal 
ADH receptors are intact). 
 In NDI: Urine osmolality remains low after desmopressin administration 
(defective renal ADH receptors).

Chapter 1

Endocrinolog & Metabolism 
 
 
Classification of causes of diabetes insipidus on basis of water deprivation 
and DDAVP® response 
 
 
Primary polydipsia  
(psychogenic polydipsia ) 
• 
Hyponatremia (< 137 meq/L) 
• 
Plasma osmolality: low- normal 
(255–280 mOsmol/kg) 
• 
Very low urine osmolality (< 250 
mOsmol/kg) 
Lab findings on 
presentation 
Water 
deprivation 
test results 
• 
Plasma osmolality: normal (275–
290 mOsmol/kg) 
• 
Urine osmolality: rises, 
reaches normal value (> 600 
mOsmol/kg) This result shows 
that both ADH release and effect 
are intact. 
Desmopressin 
administration 
results 
• 
Water deprivation test results 
confirm diagnosis; no need to 
administer desmopressin 
 
 
Classification of causes of diabetes insipidus on basis of water deprivation and DDAVP® response 
Urine osmolality after fluid 
Urine osmolality after 
DDAVP® (mOsm/kg) 
Likely diagnosis 
deprivation (mOsm/kg) 
<300 
>800 
Cranial DI 
<300 
<300 
Nephrogenic DI 
>800 
>800 
Primary/psychogenic polydipsia 
<300 
>800 
Partial cranial DI or nephrogenic DI or 
PP or diuretic abuse 
 
A dramatic improvement in the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine following the 
administration of DDAVP  points towards a diagnosis of cranial diabetes insipidus 
 
Differentiate  psychogenic polydipsia from CDI and NDI: 
• Patients with this disorder ingest and excrete up to 6L of fluid/day and are often emotionally 
disturbed.  
• Unlike patients with CDI and NDI, they do not have nocturia, nor does increased 
thirst wake them at night. 
• Patients with acute psychogenic polydipsia can concentrate their urine during a water 
deprivation test but chronic water intake diminishes medullary tonicity in the kidney.  
• Patients with long-standing polydipsia are not able to concentrate their urine to maximal 
levels during water deprivation, a response similar to that of patients with partial central 
diabetes insipidus.  
Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad

CDI 
NDI 
• 
Mild hypernatremia (> 150 mEq/L) 
• 
High-normal plasma osmolality(280–290 
mOsmol/kg) or slightly elevated 
• 
Low urine osmolality 
 Partial DI: 300–500 mOsmol/kg 
 Complete DI: < 300 mOsmol/kg 
• 
Plasma osmolality: rises (> 290 
mOsmol/kg)  
• 
Urine osmolality: no change 
• 
Plasma osmolality: 
normalizes (275–
290 mOsmol/kg) 
• 
Urine osmolality  
rises 
• 
Plasma  
osmolality 
remains 
elevated 
• 
Urine osmolality 
remains low

• However, unlike central diabetes insipidus, patients of psychogenic polydipsia show 
no response to exogenous ADH after water deprivation. This response resembles 
nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, but ADH levels are low in psychogenic polydipsia and high 
in nephrogenic polydipsia. 
__________________________________________________________ 
Polyuria 
 
Definition  
• defined as a urine output exceeding 3 L/day 
 
Causes 
Common (>1 in 10) 
Infrequent (1 in 100) 
 
• 
diuretics, caffeine & 
alcohol 
• 
diabetes mellitus 
• 
lithium 
• 
heart failure 
• 
hypercalcaemia 
• 
hyperthyroidism 
 
 
 Thiazide diuretic abuse 
• 
polyuria and polydipsia of recent onset + high calcium, glucose and hypokalaemia, 
with an elevated bicarbonate. ↑Serum Osmolality > 300  
___________________________________________________________________
Hyponatraemia (serum sodium less than 135 mEq/L).  
 
Prevalence 
• Occurs in up to 30% of hospitalised patients 
 
Classifications 
• based on severity: 
 Mild hyponatraemia : serum sodium between 130 and 135 mmol/l  
 Moderate hyponatraemia: serum sodium between 125 and 129 mmol/l  
 Profound hyponatraemia: serum sodium <125 mmol/l 
• based on time of development: 
 Acute hyponatraemia: hyponatraemia that is documented to exist < 48 h. 
 Chronic hyponatraemia: hyponatraemia that is documented to exist ≥ 48 h. 
 If hyponatraemia cannot be classified, we consider it being chronic 
 
Mechanisms of causes 
1. water excess   
2. sodium depletion 
3. Pseudohyponatraemia: (isotonic hyponatraemia) 
 Causes 
 Hyperglycaemia 
 hyperlipidaemia (increase in serum volume)   
 hyperproteinemia (e.g. myeloma)   
 taking blood from a drip arm.  
 exclude hyperglycaemic hyponatraemia by measuring the corrected serum Na+ 
Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad

Rare (1 in 1000) 
 
Very rare (<1 in 10 000) 
 
• 
chronic renal failure 
• 
primary polydipsia 
• 
hypokalaemia 
• 
diabetes insipidus

Chapter 1

Endocrinolog & Metabolism 
 
 adding 2.4 mmol/l to the measured serum sodium for every 5.5 mmol/l 
incremental rise in serum glucose concentration above a standard serum 
glucose concentration of 5.5 mmol/l. 
 corrected Na+ = measured Na+ + 2.4 x (serum glucose mmol – 5.5/5.5mmol) 
 Non-hypotonic hyponatraemia does not cause brain oedema and is managed 
differently from hypotonic hyponatraemia.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Causes of hyponatraemia 
Pseudohyponatraemia is characterised by a normal measured serum 
osmolarity, however the calculated osmolarity (based on an erroneously low 
plasma sodium result) is reduced. This results in a raised osmolar gap 
Urinary sodium > 20 mmol/l 
Urinary sodium < 20 mmol/l 
Sodium depletion, renal 
Patient often 
loss (patient often 
euvolaemic 
hypovolaemic) 
• 
diuretics 
• 
diuretic stage of renal 
failure 
• 
Addison's 
• 
SIADH (urine 
osmolality > 500 
mmol/kg) 
• 
hypothyroidism 
 
• 
secondary 
hyperaldosteronism: 
heart failure, cirrhosis 
• 
reduced GFR: renal 
failure 
• 
IV dextrose,  
• 
psychogenic polydipsia 
 
Features  
• 
Fatigue, Muscle weakness 
• 
Gait disturbance, Falls 
• 
Cerebral oedema  Disorientation, Seizures 
 
Investigations 
• 
Urinary sodium and osmolarity levels aid making a diagnosis. 
 urinary sodium 
 Reduced urinary sodium excretion [less than 30 mmol/l] may indicate total 
body sodium depletion even if plasma sodium levels are normal. 
 may be misleading in the presence of renal impairment or diuretic therapy. 
 
Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad

Sodium depletion, 
Water excess (patient 
often hypervolaemic and 
extra-renal loss 
(hypovolaemic) 
oedematous) 
• 
diarrhoea, 
vomiting, sweating 
• 
burns, adenoma 
of rectum

Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad

Management  
• ascertain volume status as this will determine management.  
 Hypovolaemic hyponatraemia 
 Diagnosis may supported by an elevated urea suggesting dehydration.   
 rehydration with sodium chloride 0.9% or a balanced crystalloid 
(Hartmann's) 
 avoid rapid Na correction to reduce the risk of central pontine myelinolysis. 
 The rate of Na correction should not exceed 8 mEq/L per day. 
 Euvolaemic hyponatraemia 
 check urine and serum osmolality. Does the patient meet the criteria for 
SIADH? 
 treat the underlying cause where possible in SIADH 
 fluid restriction (500-750mls/day) 
 monitor fluid balance and perform daily weights 
 consider demeclocycline or tolvaptan (under specialist supervision). Both 
inhibit the action of antidiuretic hormone. 
 Hypervolaemic hyponatraemia 
 fluid and salt restriction 
 consider diuretics 
 treat the underlying cause (e.g. cardiac failure)

Notes & Notes for MRCP                          
By Dr. Yousif Abdallah Hamad
Chapter 1

Endocrinolog & Metabolism 
 
Hyponatraemia: correction 
 
 
 
Acute hyponatraemia  
• predisposing factors to acute hyponatraemia: 
 Over consumption of fluids,  
 Post-operative hyponatraemia is not uncommon and is likely to be due to a 
combination of SIADH which develops in the post-op period and the infusion of 
inappropriate IVIs. 
 prolonged race duration and inadequate training  
• Pathophysiology 
 When hyponatraemia develops over a short duration the ability of the brain to adapt 
is exceeded and cerebral oedema can result which may lead to confusion, seizures 
and coma. As a result, patients may die from brain herniation. 
• Features 
 hyponatraemic encephalopathy which is life threatening and presented with a fit. 
• Treatment of Hyponatraemia with severe symptoms 
 Hypertonic saline (3%) boluses are the most appropriate treatment to improve 
neurological status in such patients. 
 150mls of 3% hypertonic saline over 20 mins 
 check the serum sodium after 20 min while repeating an infusion of 150 ml 3% 
hypertonic saline for the next 20 min. 
 repeat therapeutic twice or until a target of 5 mmol/l increase in serum sodium 
is achieved 
 The target sodium by which one should elevate the sodium is 5 mmol/l 
over the first hour. 
 limit the increase in serum sodium to a total of 10 mmol/l during the first 24 h 
and an additional 8 mmol/l during every 24 h thereafter until the serum sodium 
concentration reaches 130 mmol/l 
 Decompressive craniotomy would help alleviate raised intracranial pressure due to 
cerebral oedema however is not an appropriate first line treatment.  
__________________________________________________________ 
Hypopituitarism 
 
Definition 
• Deficiency of one or more anterior pituitary hormones. 
 GH deficiency → growth retardation (during childhood), ↓ bone density, muscle 
atrophy, hypercholesterolemia 
 Prolactin deficiency → lactation failure following delivery  
 FSH/LH deficiency → hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (secondary hypogonadism) 
 TSH deficiency → secondary hypothyroidism 
 ACTH deficiency → secondary adrenal insufficiency  
• Hypopituitarism becomes symptomatic when more than 80% of pituitary cells are 
damaged. 
 
 
 
Acute hyponatraemia is that which occurs within a duration of 48 hours.