Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: LMTK3 is an oncogenic Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) implicated in resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer. Initially, LMTK3 was described as a regulator of Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα) since it was found able to protect it from ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. In a cohort of breast cancer (BC) patients (n>600), LMTK3 protein levels and intronic polymorphisms were significantly associated with disease-free and overall surviv...

Levothyroxine (L-T4) is the mainstay of treatment of hypothyroidism. Marked elevation of thyrotropin (TSH) in patients on high replacement doses is rare and can result from malabsorption, drug interaction or poor compliance. The levothyroxine absorption test is required to distinguish these causes and has proved to be safe. This test measures the serum free thyroxine (FT4) response to 1 mg of oral L-T4 over 4–24 h.Clinical cases: Case no 1: A 28-yea...

IntroductionSevere hyperandrogenism is a warning sign in young women. Differential diagnosis includes neoplastic, non-neoplastic and iatrogenic causes. The association of hyperandrogenism and congenital or acquired portosystemic shunt (PSS) has been rarely described, with its pathophysiology being unclear.Case 1A 22 year-old woman with diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis, portal hypertension and PSS since 15 ye...

IntroductionThe toxic solitary thyroid nodule is a major cause of hyperthyroidism, especially in iodine-deprived regions. The most widely used therapy is iodine-131, which is effective in achieving normal thyroid function and reducing nodule dimensions, however, it may induce hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of radioiodine therapy in patients with toxic solitary nodules and to determine predictive factors for the develop...

IntroductionThe measurement of serum thyroglobulin (Tg), a glycoprotein produced exclusively by follicular thyroid cells, is an important tumour marker used in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and residual or recurrent disease. However, its role as a screening tool before thyroid surgery is not yet defined, as benign conditions can result in its increase.ObjectiveThe aim o...

Objective: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hyperthyroidism, and its complications. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), compounds derived from non-enzymatic transformation of macromolecules, are able to increase oxidative stress and promote inflammation and are increased in several oxidative stress-related disorders, including autoimmune thyroiditis. In the same diseases, the activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), an anti-oxidant enzyme protecting ag...

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and Furin were known to be key players for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thyroid gland was shown to be one of the relevant targets for SARS-CoV-2 infection allegedly due to the higher expression levels of these molecules in follicular cells. However, it remains to be fully determined the expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and Furin in normal follicular cell. In addition, the putative role of these molecules...

Background: Hypercalciuria is a relevant complication in patients with treated hypoparathyroidism. Hypercalciuria is usually estimated by 24 h urinary calcium excretion (24 hUCa). In contrast, in pediatric endocrinology the calcium-creatinine-ratio (CaCrR) is more often used due to feasibility. This study aims to compare these two approaches in adult patients with hypoparathyroidism.Methods: In 181 systematically evaluated patients with primary hypoparat...

Introduction: Reduction of quality of life in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism (HPT) has been reported by several studies. Additionally, self-report data point to a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders in HPT compared to patients after thyroidectomy.Objectives: To characterize psychiatric diseases in a systematically reviewed cohort of patients with chronic HPT.Methods: We systematically assessed psychiatric comorbidities...

Introduction: Cyclic Cushing’s Syndrome is an uncommon disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of elevated cortisol levels, alternating with periods of normal cortisol secretion. These cycles of hypercortisolism can occur at regular or irregular intervals, ranging from days to years between episodes.Case presentation: A 57-year-old woman evaluated at the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic because of symptoms of hypercortisolism with 18 months of e...