Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) may be a contributing factor causing diarrhoea in patients with NETs, particularly among those who have undergone previous surgical resection of the terminal ileum and/or right colon or cholecystectomy (Naraev et al 2019). Aim(s): To identify the prevalence of bile acid malabsorption in neuroendocrine tumour patients (NET) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB). Materi...

Background: In the UK, adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) are treated with recombinant Growth Hormone (GH) therapy according to NICE guidelines (TA64). Provided that patients show an initial improvement in their quality-of-life score, assessed using the Quality-of-Life Assessment of GHD in Adults (Qol-AGHDA) questionnaire, they can continue with their GH treatment long-term. However, in clinical practice, many patients are observed to discontinue GH r...

Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is a metabolic syndrome characterised by osteoporosis, increased visceral fat, adverse lipid profiles, decreased muscle mass and reduced energy levels. As such, it is associated with reduced quality of life (QoL) and increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. Synthetic growth hormone (GH) can be given to replace natural GH; however, treatment is costly at around £3350 per patient per year and could cause side effects including ...

The hepatic peptide hormone hepcidin is the principal regulator of iron absorption and tissue iron distribution. Hepcidin circulates in blood plasma and acts at nanomolar concentrations by inducing degradation of its receptor, the cellular iron exporter ferroportin. Ferroportin exports iron into plasma from absorptive enterocytes, from macrophages that recycle the iron of senescent erythrocytes, and from hepatocytes that store iron. Therefore, hepcidin-mediated degradation of ...

Introduction: Psychological symptoms such as aggression, confusion, irritation, anxiety and depression have been observed clinically in patients with carcinoid syndrome. It has been suggested that vasoactive-hormone secretion are involved in provoking psychological symptoms. The objective of this qualitative study is to explore the presence and experience of specific psychological symptoms in vasoactive hormone-secreting NET (carcinoid syndrome).Methods:...

Advances in childhood cancer treatment have led to an overall 5 year survival rate of almost 80%. As a result 1 in 900 adults are now childhood cancer survivors but have increased risk of long-term health consequences. Data from the USA, UK, and Europe have demonstrated a standardised mortality rate of 8.4–10.8. Cardiovascular morbidity (congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and strokes) have been reported as the commonest non-neoplastic causes of mortality, wi...

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a licensed and NICE approved indication for growth hormone (GH) treatment but there are no nationally agreed standards for investigation of suspected GHD. Variable practice across the UK could have governance issues and impact on patient experience and equality of access to specialist GH investigation and treatment. Some GH provocation tests carry significant risk and it is therefore essential that these specialist investigations are carried ...

Addisons disease is a rare but potentially life threatening endocrine disorder. It is well-known for disguising as a variety of presentations before diagnosis. Here we present a case report of Addison’s disease presenting with very severe hyponatraemia. A 35 year old lady was admitted with lethargy, low mood, weight loss and feeling generally unwell for the last 3 months. Six weeks prior to her admission, her GP arranged some routine investigations including U&E which...

Background: Hypoglycaemia is a common complication of diabetes which causes great anxiety in patients and their families. Asymptomatic hypoglycaemia can be debilitating, especially in young children. All patients who attend Children and Young People (CYP) Diabetes Clinic have their blood glucose tested. If hypoglycaemia is identified (Blood Glucose less than 4 mmol/l), the local hypoglycaemia hospital policy should be followed by staff to provide safe and effective treatment.<...

Low testosterone is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Testosterone replacement improves several CV risk factors including lowering cholesterol and may protect against atherogenesis. Macrophage liver X receptor α (LXRα) stimulates cholesterol efflux which is a therapeutic target for the treatment of atherosclerosis. It was therefore proposed that the anti-atherogenic effect of testosterone may be mediated via LXRα. THP-1 macr...