Endocrine Abstracts

The physiological effects of the pituitary hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) on the adrenal are mediated by the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that signals via adenylate cyclase to elevate intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. Therefore the expression and function of the receptor are likely to be the major determinants of the response to ACTH. Following repeated stimulation, the cAMP signal is diminished or desensitised. Desensi...

Introduction: The XX male syndrome occurs in 1 in 20,000 births. This syndrome results from crossover between the X and Y chromosomes, which transfers the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome to the X chromosome. They lack the azoospermia factor region of the Y chromosome, which is essential for spermatogenesis; thus causing infertility.Case Description: 34-year-old gentleman was referred to endocrinology clinic for infertility and semen analysis s...

The Hypothalamic Pituitary Thyroid (HPT) axis is well-known as a classic endocrine negative feedback loop: increased levels of thyroxine (T4) in the blood are associated with a reduction of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) production and vice versa. However, the thyroid hormone (TH) system is sensitive to alterations by a number of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Intriguingly, exposure to specific EDCs can decrease the levels of T4 but this might be not followed by the...

Certain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are known to disrupt the thyroid hormone system. Thyroid hormone (TH) levels are physiologically regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis, a tight feedback loop, whereby low levels of T4 stimulate an upregulation of TSH, and conversely if T4 levels are raised. Low levels of T4 (with chronic upregulation of TSH) can lead to thyroid hyperplasia – an outcome that is recognised by regulatory groups for ...

A 47-year-old female was referred and presented with generalised aches and pains and her calcium level was found to be elevated with a corresponding raised PTH level. She had previously had a parathyroid hormone level in excess of 212.000 pmol/l(The upper limit for our assay is 212 pmol/l). Interestingly, she has had a mildly elevated calcium level in 2017, rechecked in 2018 and lost to follow up until December 2021. At this juncture, she sustained a closed fracture of her met...

Liquorice intake is an uncommon but familiar cause of hypokalaemia and hypertension. Liquorice tea is available over the counter as herbal tea to promote general wellbeing. This case report describes a 64-year-old male patient who presented to hospital with severe hypokalaemia and hypertension. During the in-patient stay, patient was managed with potassium replacement and anti-hypertensives (avoiding medications that interfere with endocrine investigations), investigations wer...

Introduction: Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) accounts for 5–13% of all hypertension and up to 20% of resistant hypertension. Aldosterone producing adenomas (APA) account for 60% of PHA and surgical resection in these patients can be curative. There is no consensus on the need for and duration of follow-up after adrenalectomy. This study assessed the immediate effect of unilateral adrenalectomy for APA on the serum potassium, renin and aldosterone levels. Acute effects o...

Background: Pituitary surgery is the initial treatment for the majority of patients with acromegaly. The UK acromegaly register data (UK-AR-2) suggests that surgical remission rates vary widely, with a marked improvement since 2000. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of first TSS for acromegaly in our centre over the past 5 years.Methods: We retrospectively analysed data for all acromegaly patients who underwent first TSS between 2007-2011....

Background: The most significant hypotheses regarding biological causes of transsexualism are based on the role of environmental hormonal exposure on neural development.Aim: This study was to analyse the baseline hormonal results in a population of transsexuals attending a single clinic to identify any abnormalities in hormone levels in these individuals.Method: A retrospective cohort study was carried out using data collected from...

Background: Transsexuals in Britain are prescribed hormones as part of Gender Reassignment Treatment. Oestrogen therapy is associated with the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with a 25 fold increased risk, and breast cancer; particularly in the older age group and smokers.Aims: To investigate the risk of developing deep vein thromboses in male to female transsexual patients who are, or have been, on oestrogen therapy, and seeing if this differs...