Endocrine Abstracts

Aims: Develop and validate a LC–MS/MS assay for the measurement of serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and to establish reference ranges for levels observed in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.Method: Serum samples (200 μl) underwent liquid extraction using di-ethyl ether (1 ml). A deuterated internal standard was used. 20 μl extract was injected onto a Waters Atlantis C18 column using a Waters 2795 Alliance HPLC s...

A 23-year-old female with severe resistant hypertension was referred to our Hospital. Her BP on arrival was 240/140 mmHg and she was 13 weeks pregnant. Labetalol had been prescribed previously (200 mg,TDS), with little success in controlling her symptoms. The patient reported headaches, migraines and flushing for several years, especially after eating, and worse during pregnancy. The patient had pre-eclampsia in her first pregnancy.<p class="abst...

A 23-year-old female with severe resistant hypertension was referred to our Hospital. Her BP on arrival was 240/140 mmHg and she was 13 weeks pregnant. Labetalol had been prescribed previously (200 mg,TDS), with little success in controlling her symptoms. The patient reported headaches, migraines and flushing for several years, especially after eating, and worse during pregnancy. The patient had pre-eclampsia in her first pregnancy.<p class="abst...

Background: Adrenal incidentaloma (AI) increasingly pose a diagnostic challenge. This retrospective observational study evaluated biochemical investigations performed in patients referred to Endocrine Surgery with AI and assessed adherence to Guidelines. Biochemical, histological and radiological characteristics of AI were also reviewed.Methods: Data were collected from Hospital and Laboratory records for referrals between January 2012–April 2014.</...

Introduction: Clinical Practice Guidelines1 advocate adrenal vein sampling (AVS) to distinguish between unilateral and bilateral primary aldosteronism (PA). Cannulating the right adrenal vein is difficult, and there is a lack of standardisation in sampling procedure and interpretation2. We audited our local service to identify improvements.Methods: All AVS procedures performed between January 2018-December 2020 (n = 31) wer...

Background: Free androgen index (FAI) is used to estimate free testosterone concentrations in patients undergoing investigation for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, it’s not widely used for diagnostic purpose due to lack of consensus in the literature. We present an appraisal of biochemical data from patients referred to a hyperandrogenaemia clinic with a view to establish an in-house cut-off for the diagnosis of hyperandrogenaemia in PCOS.<p class="abstex...

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder of uncertain aetiology, affects 1 in 10 reproductive women and has broad spectrum risks related to reproductive, cardiometabolic and psychosocial health. The wide overlap with other hyperandrogenemic conditions, complexity of PCOS spectrum, and inconsistencies in investigation and management potentially can result in risks of delay in diagnosis and management.Aim: To evaluate ...

High altitude exposure leads to a marked natriuresis and diuresis facilitated by a reduced resting and subdued post-exercise aldosterone. There is a strong correlation between aldosterone and cortisol at high altitude and although most, but not all, investigators report a rise in cortisol with ascent very little data exist regarding the post-exercise response in cortisol. We therefore measured salivary cortisol in a cohort of 45 subjects post-exercise and 20 subjects at rest w...