Long term administration of glucocoicoids can cause all of the following except?
## **Core Concept**
The long-term administration of glucocorticoids can lead to a variety of systemic side effects due to their widespread impact on metabolism, immune response, and other bodily functions. Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that are produced by the adrenal cortex and play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, immune response, and stress response.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, , implies an effect that is not typically associated with long-term glucocorticoid administration. Common side effects of long-term glucocorticoid use include osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cataracts, glaucoma, and adrenal suppression. Glucocorticoids generally cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) due to increased gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** is incorrect because long-term glucocorticoid administration can indeed cause hyperglycemia or diabetes mellitus due to increased glucose production in the liver and decreased glucose uptake in peripheral tissues.
- **Option B:** is incorrect as glucocorticoids are known to cause hypertension through various mechanisms, including increased sodium retention, increased vascular tone, and opposing the effects of antihypertensive agents.
- **Option C:** is incorrect because glucocorticoids can lead to osteoporosis. They interfere with calcium absorption in the gut and increase its excretion in the urine, leading to a decrease in bone density over time.
- **Option D:** implies an effect that needs to be considered in the context of glucocorticoid use.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key clinical pearl is that glucocorticoids can cause a range of metabolic and musculoskeletal side effects. Notably, while they can induce hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, they are not typically associated with causing hypoglycemia as a direct side effect of long-term administration.
## **Correct Answer:** . Hypoglycemia