Adolescent Endocrine Challenges: A Diagnostic Case Study

• Published in: Journal for nurse practitioners Vol. 15; no. 7; pp. e147,e149 - e148,e150
• Main Authors: Nickasch, Bonnie L., Wallace-Leece, Jessalyn, Lancaster, Rachelle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Elsevier Inc 01.07.2019; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent girls; Adrenal glands; Cardiovascular disease; Case reports; Complaints; Diabetes; Drug dosages; Endocrine disorders; Endocrine system; endocrine system diseases; family practice; Fatigue; General practice; Hormones; Hypothyroidism; Life threatening; Medical diagnosis; Medical referrals; Menstruation; Nurse practitioners; Pituitary gland; Puberty; referral and consultation; Skin; Sleepiness; Teenagers; Tumors; referral and consultation; family practice; endocrine system diseases
• ISSN: 1555-4155; 1878-058X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2019.03.001

In this case study challenge, a relatively healthy 15-year-old female adolescent presents to a family practice clinic with complaints of frequent urination, chills, constant drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and thirst. Distinguishing between possible disorders can be challenging for practitioners because many endocrine disease processes present with similar clinical features. The key to successfully diagnosing endocrine disorders includes rapidly ruling out the most urgent and life-threatening possibilities. Knowing when to refer and to whom is essential. Abnormal laboratory results may require immediate referral for specialized diagnosis and management. •The key to diagnosing endocrine disorders is rapidly ruling out urgent possibilities.•The most common cause of hypopituitarism is a pituitary adenoma.•Initial management of hypopituitarism should focus on hormonal stabilization.