MRCPUK Endocrinology and Diabetes (Specialty Certificate Examination) - SEND Exam Practice Test
A 16-year-old boy was referred to the endocrine clinic with symptoms of delayed puberty.
On examination, he had a reduced sense of smell, small-sized testes and underdeveloped
secondary sexual characteristics.
Investigations:
serum testosterone3.5 nmol/L (9.0-35.0)
serum follicle-stimulating hormone1.0 U/L (1.0-7.0)
serum luteinising hormone1.5 U/L (1.0-10.0)
serum prolactin220 mU/L (<360)
MR scan of brainnormal
He asked about his future fertility.
What will be the most useful agent for him to achieve fertility?
On examination, he had a reduced sense of smell, small-sized testes and underdeveloped
secondary sexual characteristics.
Investigations:
serum testosterone3.5 nmol/L (9.0-35.0)
serum follicle-stimulating hormone1.0 U/L (1.0-7.0)
serum luteinising hormone1.5 U/L (1.0-10.0)
serum prolactin220 mU/L (<360)
MR scan of brainnormal
He asked about his future fertility.
What will be the most useful agent for him to achieve fertility?
Correct Answer: E
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A 54-year-old man on the neurosurgery unit developed hyponatraemia 3 days after presenting with a significant head injury. His Glasgow coma score (GCS) had been 6 on admission.
On examination, his GCS was 12. His blood pressure was 124/84 mmHg. There was no
oedema.
Investigations:
serum sodium118 mmol/L (137-144)
serum urea3.0 mmol/L (2.5-7.0)
serum creatinine72 umol/L (60-110)
random serum cortisol (08.00 h on day of review)480 nmol/L
serum thyroid-stimulating hormone1.2 mU/L (0.4-5.0)
random urinary sodium60 mmol/L
What is the most appropriate interpretation of these data?
On examination, his GCS was 12. His blood pressure was 124/84 mmHg. There was no
oedema.
Investigations:
serum sodium118 mmol/L (137-144)
serum urea3.0 mmol/L (2.5-7.0)
serum creatinine72 umol/L (60-110)
random serum cortisol (08.00 h on day of review)480 nmol/L
serum thyroid-stimulating hormone1.2 mU/L (0.4-5.0)
random urinary sodium60 mmol/L
What is the most appropriate interpretation of these data?
Correct Answer: A
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An 18-year-old woman was referred by her general practitioner for further investigation of "funny turns" during which she developed palpitations, sweating, tremor, hunger, anxiety and paraesthesiae; all of these symptoms were relieved immediately by a sugary drink. She was otherwise well and was not taking any regular medication. There was a family history of type 1 diabetes mellitus. A spontaneous hypoglycaemic episode had not been captured and she was admitted to the diabetes/endocrine ward for a 72-hour fast. Her renal function was normal.
After a 12-hour fast she experienced her typical symptoms. Urinalysis showed no urinary ketones.
Investigations after 12-h fast:
fasting plasma glucose 2.0 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
plasma insulin56 pmol/L (<21 after hypoglycaemia)
serum C-peptide514 pmol/L (180-360)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
After a 12-hour fast she experienced her typical symptoms. Urinalysis showed no urinary ketones.
Investigations after 12-h fast:
fasting plasma glucose 2.0 mmol/L (3.0-6.0)
plasma insulin56 pmol/L (<21 after hypoglycaemia)
serum C-peptide514 pmol/L (180-360)
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Correct Answer: B
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A 26-year-old man was referred from the sexual health clinic, after small testes had been noted during treatment for genital warts. The patient reported recent loss of libido but there was no history of erectile dysfunction or delayed pubertal development. He was taking no regular medication. Approximately 3 years before presentation, he had taken anabolic steroids for 6 months to improve his muscle bulk.
On examination, normal facial, axillary and pubic hair was present. Testicular volume was 6 mL and his testes were firm.
Investigations:
serum testosterone4.0 nmol/L (9.0-35.0)
plasma follicle-stimulating hormone21.0 U/L (1.0-7.0)
plasma luteinising hormone23.0 U/L (1.0-10.0)
serum prolactin420 mU/L (<360)
What is the most likely diagnosis?
On examination, normal facial, axillary and pubic hair was present. Testicular volume was 6 mL and his testes were firm.
Investigations:
serum testosterone4.0 nmol/L (9.0-35.0)
plasma follicle-stimulating hormone21.0 U/L (1.0-7.0)
plasma luteinising hormone23.0 U/L (1.0-10.0)
serum prolactin420 mU/L (<360)
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: D
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A 26-year-old physiologist was seen in the diabetes outpatient clinic. She had type 1 diabetes mellitus of 9 months' duration, treated with subcutaneous insulin.
She asked what symptoms of hypoglycaemia she might experience.
In what order are responses to hypoglycaemia most likely to occur as blood glucose falls?
She asked what symptoms of hypoglycaemia she might experience.
In what order are responses to hypoglycaemia most likely to occur as blood glucose falls?
Correct Answer: C
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A 54-year-old woman attended clinic for routine follow-up. She had Cushing's syndrome secondary to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome with no primary source identified.
She had declined bilateral adrenalectomy. Routine medication included metyrapone 500 mg three times daily, ketoconazole 200 mg once daily and hydrocortisone 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg in the evening.
Metyrapone inhibits the action of which enzyme in steroidogenesis?
She had declined bilateral adrenalectomy. Routine medication included metyrapone 500 mg three times daily, ketoconazole 200 mg once daily and hydrocortisone 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg in the evening.
Metyrapone inhibits the action of which enzyme in steroidogenesis?
Correct Answer: E
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A 23-year-old woman was found to have type 1 diabetes mellitus following a short history of polyuria, polydipsia and unintentional weight loss. She started taking insulin aspart before meals and insulin detemir daily.
What is the most appropriate time from diagnosis to start screening for microalbuminuria?
What is the most appropriate time from diagnosis to start screening for microalbuminuria?
Correct Answer: C
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A 62-year-old woman was referred with generalised weakness. She had no previous history of note and was not taking any medication. She reported drinking 60 units of alcohol per week.
On examination, she was found to have central adiposity, pale abdominal striae and
wasting of the limb muscles. Her blood pressure was raised at 160/100 mmHg.
Investigations:
serum sodium138 mmol/L (137-144)
serum potassium3.8 mmol/L (3.5-4.9)
serum cortisol (09.00 h)750 nmol/L (200-700)
low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (2 mg/day for 48 h):
serum cortisol120 nmol/L (<50)
high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (8 mg/day for 48 h):
serum cortisol45 nmol/L (should suppress to
<50% of day 0 value)
24-h urinary free cortisol 360 nmol (55-250)
plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (09.00 h)22.0 pmol/L (3.3-15.4)
MR scan of pituitary glandnormal
CT scan of adrenal glands1-cm mass in the left adrenal gland
What is the most likely cause for her presentation?
On examination, she was found to have central adiposity, pale abdominal striae and
wasting of the limb muscles. Her blood pressure was raised at 160/100 mmHg.
Investigations:
serum sodium138 mmol/L (137-144)
serum potassium3.8 mmol/L (3.5-4.9)
serum cortisol (09.00 h)750 nmol/L (200-700)
low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (2 mg/day for 48 h):
serum cortisol120 nmol/L (<50)
high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (8 mg/day for 48 h):
serum cortisol45 nmol/L (should suppress to
<50% of day 0 value)
24-h urinary free cortisol 360 nmol (55-250)
plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (09.00 h)22.0 pmol/L (3.3-15.4)
MR scan of pituitary glandnormal
CT scan of adrenal glands1-cm mass in the left adrenal gland
What is the most likely cause for her presentation?
Correct Answer: E
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A 37-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of increasingly frequent flushing episodes. She described alternating loose bowel motions and constipation. She had also noted menstrual irregularity. She had no respiratory symptoms. She denied headache or chest pain, but complained of palpitations.
On examination, she appeared well. Her blood pressure was 128/82 mmHg.
Investigations:
serum thyroid-stimulating hormone0.8 mU/L (0.4-5.0)
What is the most appropriate next investigation?
On examination, she appeared well. Her blood pressure was 128/82 mmHg.
Investigations:
serum thyroid-stimulating hormone0.8 mU/L (0.4-5.0)
What is the most appropriate next investigation?
Correct Answer: B
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