Endocrine Abstracts

Case History: A 26 year old female patient was referred to her local endocrine clinic having presented to her GP complaining of ankle swelling. Routine biochemistry revealed a suppressed TSH (<0.05 U/l), and reduced serum levels of free T4 (2.0 pmol/l) and T3 (3.2 pmol/l). Random serum cortisol measurements were also elevated on 2 separate occasions (1266 nmol/l and 991 nmol/l). Clinical examination revealed her to be clinically euthyroid with no evidence of ...

Case History: A 26 year old female patient was referred to her local endocrine clinic having presented to her GP complaining of ankle swelling. Routine biochemistry revealed a suppressed TSH (<0.05 U/l), and reduced serum levels of free T4 (2.0 pmol/l) and T3 (3.2 pmol/l). Random serum cortisol measurements were also elevated on 2 separate occasions (1266 nmol/l and 991 nmol/l). Clinical examination revealed her to be clinically euthyroid with no evidence of ...

Introduction: Adequate hormone replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency (AI) is essential. Patients should have basic knowledge about their condition and how to minimise the change on an adrenal crisis. Education on how and when hydrocortisone replacement therapy should be adjusted together with instruction and practice an emergency injection are considered important measures to prevent a crisis. A nurse-led group-based education programme (GEP) was developed, and given fr...

Case history: An 84-year old man with known non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma was admitted with productive cough and headache. Clinical assessment revealed evidence of pneumonia and antibiotic treatment was initiated. However subsequently the patient’s GCS dropped to 12. Left-sided 6th nerve palsy was present, but patient drowsiness precluded visual-field examination. CT brain showed pituitary tumour apoplexy due to haemorrhage, confirmed on MRI. His condi...

Introduction: Some new data suggest a coincidence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT).Methods & design: We performed a retrospective analysis of our patients (n=267) with primary hyperparathyroidism from 2007 until 2011.Results: Musculoskeletal pain was reported by 34.2% of the patients. Gastrointestinal discomfort was complained by 28.8%, and 21.1% had nephrolithiasi...

Background and objectives: Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) require frequent imaging for fractures and surveillance of bone mineral density. Radiation exposure in childhood carries the highest risk of cancer. Here, we estimate the cumulative effective radiation dose (E) and lifetime cancer risk (LAR) from imaging in children with OI. We also explore the hypothesis that the rate of fracture positive imaging for investigation of injuries is related to family history of...

Introduction: Adequate hormone replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency is essential. Patients should have basic knowledge about their condition and what to do in situations which could trigger an adrenal crisis. Education on how and when hydrocortisone replacement therapy should be adjusted as well as instruction and practice an emergency injection are considered important measures to prevent an adrenal crisis. A standardized nurse-led group-based education programme (GEP...

Introduction: Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have hypothalamic dysfunction, with deficiencies of several hypothalamic-pituitary axes. Prevalence of central hypogonadism, hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency are increased in comparison with non-PWS individuals. Central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) has also been reported in PWS. Several studies, using different testing modalities, have reported strikingly differing prevalences of CAI in PWS, ranging from 0% ...

Introduction: Women with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk of adverse maternal and foetal outcomes. Preconception planning is required to minimize risks, including good understanding of contraceptive options.Objectives: To determine in Australian women with DM beliefs regarding safety of various contraceptive methods in DM, information sources regarding contraception, recent and previous contraceptive use, knowledge of pregnancy risks, access ...

Introduction: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex hypothalamic disorder, combining hypotonia, intellectual disability (ID), pituitary hormone deficiencies and hyperphagia. In PWS, up to 3% of patients die every year. In half of the patients, the cause of death is obesity related and / or of cardiovascular origin. Obesity is caused by hyperphagia combined with a low energy expenditure. Untreated hormone deficiencies like hypogonadism and hypothyroidism can cause low muscle...