Endocrine Abstracts

VA Thornton-Jones, JAH Wass and HE Turner, OBJECTIVE: Despite a recommended injection frequency of 4 weekly(4w), prolonged duration of GH suppression has been observed in some patients following treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogues. The aim of our study was to perform a prospective systematic study to determine whether extending the interval between doses of Octreotide LAR (LAR) allows maintenance of 'safe' GH in selected patients with acromegaly.<p class="abs...

A previously well 55 year old man presented to his family practitioner with asix week history of dyspepsia. He denied any other symptoms including no weight loss. Clinical examination was normal.A gastroscopy was organised which revealed a 10 millimetre sessile polyp located at greater curvature at the lower body of the stomach. The polyp was removed by snaring. Histological examination of the polyp revealed heterotopic pancreatic ...

A 55 year old lady was referred by her general practioner with a six months history of generalised lethargy and cold intolerance.This was associated with abdominal bloating and constipation.She had been more irritable recently and was getting depressed. She also described symptoms suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome. The only past history of note was of lactose intolerance.There was no family history of thyroid disorder.On examination she was clinically...

Erratic release of insulin accounts from periodic nature of the symptoms in insulinoma. Islet-amyloid polypeptide has been demonstrated in human insulin producing tumours- insulinoma. Presence of amyloid tissue has been demonstrated in pancreatic islets in patients with diabetes mellitus. Impaired islet function is a feature of diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycaemia, as in diabetes, enhances amylin secretion. Presence of insulinoma has been documented in past but insulionoma presen...

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the investigation of choice for patients with thyroid nodules in secondary care. Ideally the following standards should be met: assessment within 2 weeks of referral; FNAB performed in the first visit; consent obtained and documented; communication of the result in person.A cohort of 64consecutive patients (57 female) was identified. The median age was 49 (16-78). Thyroid function tests were normal in 89% of patien...

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the investigation of choice for patients with thyroid nodules in secondary care. Ideally the following standards should be met: assessment within 2 weeks of referral; FNAB performed in the first visit; consent obtained and documented; communication of the result in person.A cohort of 64consecutive patients (57 female) was identified. The median age was 49 (16-78). Thyroid function tests were normal in 89% of patien...

It is recognised that growth hormone deficiency causes disturbances in reproductive function. Indeed growth hormone has been used for ovulation induction in the treatment of subfertility in women with hypopituitarism. During normal pregnancy growth hormone is produced by the placenta (placental growth hormone). From 15 to 20 weeks gestation placental growth hormone gradually replaces pituitary growth hormone in the maternal circulation and is the main determinant of maternal I...

Background: Octreotide LAR is used in the treatment of Acromegaly and is effective in reducing growth hormone levels in the majority of patients. With the introduction of the Endocrine Specialist Nurse it has been possible to take their care into the community.Method: A questionnaire was administered for both patients and practice nurses, to enable us to highlight the benefits and identify any problems. It was sent to 27 patients who receive Octreotide LAR and 27 GP Surger...

One third of pituitary adenomas surgically removed are invasive, the presence of which increases the patients' risk of morbidity and mortality. IL6 has been shown to have conflicting effects on growth of human pituitary adenoma cells in culture but may act not only with mitogenic effects but on facilitating tumour invasion into surrounding tissue. We have previously shown IL6 mRNA expression correlates with invasive status and tumour volume(1). IL6 and IL1 are known to stimula...

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