Endocrine Weight Loss Endocrine Disorders 3

Question 1

Which enzyme converts inactive cortisone to active cortisol within adipose tissue, potentially promoting local fat accumulation?

Accepted Answer

11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1)

Answer

11β-HSD1 converts inactive cortisone to active cortisol within adipose tissue, and its overactivity in visceral fat contributes to central obesity.

Question 2

A patient with hypothyroidism is started on levothyroxine. How long should clinicians wait before rechecking TSH to assess dose adequacy?

Accepted Answer

4–6 weeks

Answer

TSH levels take 4–6 weeks to stabilize after a levothyroxine dose change, reflecting the long half-life of T4 and pituitary feedback.

Question 3

Which type of diabetes insipidus can cause weight gain through compulsive fluid intake leading to hyponatremia and secondary hormonal changes?

Accepted Answer

Primary polydipsia (psychogenic)

Answer

Primary polydipsia involves compulsive water intake not driven by ADH deficiency, which can cause dilutional hyponatremia and disrupt normal satiety signaling.

Question 4

Insulin resistance in obesity is best described as a state where:

Accepted Answer

Target cells fail to respond normally to circulating insulin

Answer

Insulin resistance means that muscle, liver, and fat cells do not respond effectively to insulin, requiring the pancreas to secrete more to maintain glucose control.

Question 5

Which pituitary tumor can cause weight gain by disrupting hypothalamic satiety centers due to its anatomical location?

Accepted Answer

Craniopharyngioma

Answer

Craniopharyngiomas arise near the hypothalamus and can damage satiety centers, causing severe hypothalamic obesity that is notoriously difficult to treat.

Endocrine Weight Loss Practice Test

Endocrine Weight Loss Practice Test

Endocrine Weight Loss Endocrine Disorders 3