Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a cutaneous condition characterised by pigmented hyperkeratosis of the skin flexures and neck and occurs most commonly in association with hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance (IR). A high prevalence of hyperinsulinaemia and abnormal glucose intolerance has been reported in the Emirati population. Current knowledge of AN suggests that it is a strong visible cutaneous marker associated with IR and can precede the onset of hyperglycae...

Background: Ramadan fasting entails abstinence of food and drink from dawn to sunset for 30 days. Medication timing also changes; for patients with hypothyroidism this can be a challenge as levothyroxine (LT4) is normally taken on an empty stomach and at least half an hour before breakfast. Complying with this advice during Ramadan is impractical for religious and social reasons. Adverse changes in thyroid function in patients with hypothyroidism have been observed. Whether an...