Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder, which increases the risk of developing both benign and malignant tumours. A Swedish study conducted by Zöller et al in 1997, suggested that up to 25% of these tumours are neuroendocrine in origin, of which phaeochromocytomas were the commonest with a prevalence of 0.1–6%. The association between NF1 and primary hyperparathyroidism is described in the literature but clinically ra...

: The management of endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism is largely guided by perceived risk, including the presence of cardiovascular disease, atrial fibrillation or osteoporosis. We have utilised a fourth-generation TSH assay, providing a 10-fold increase in sensitivity compared to third-generation assays, to determine whether patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism can be differentiated from those with overt hyperthyroidism, based on their now measurable TSH levels. Two...

A 20-year-old lady presented to her GP with menstrual irregularity and worsening right-sided headaches with associated vomiting. Blood tests showed a mildly raised testosterone level and a markedly raised prolactin level, approximately 80% of which was macroprolactin (normal monomeric prolactin level). She was subsequently referred by her GP for an MRI Pituitary, which was reported as showing a 6-mm hypoenhancing lesion. Medical history includes migraines and hayfever; she was...

Background: Vitamin-D deficiency and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are common in South Asians (SA). The diagnosis of a vitamin-D deficiency in the setting of a chronic disease depends on a high index of suspicion and adequate investigation. This involves bone profile, occasionally in conjunction with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D. The ability of routine investigations to identify vitamin-D deficient patients have not been widely studied.Aims: To assess the ability o...

Aim: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes and to determine the most appropriate screening investigations.Introduction: The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes in the Asian community is well recognised. Vitamin D insufficiency (levels < 50 nmol/l) is associated with impaired insulin secretion and increased insulin resistance. The prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency in p...

The UK Acromegaly Register was established in 1997 and holds data on patients with acromegaly from 17 centres in the UK. Of 1466 records, 431 (29%) were diagnosed pre-1984, 580 (40%) between 1984 and 1993 and 455 (31%) between 1994 and 2003.Surgery was and remains the most frequently applied primary treatment for acromegaly: 46% of cases pre-1984, 53% 1994-2003. The proportion treated by surgery alone has risen from 16% to 28% in 1994 to 2003 (P<1x10-...

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) is targeted as means of medical intervention for hypertensive associated complications of stroke, heart failure and obesity. Ultimately, the inhibition of Angiotensin II(ANGII)/Angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor complex has been key in reducing raised blood pressure. Diabetic neuropathic pain (NP) is highly prevalent in the United Kingdom, associated with an increasingly aged population. There is growing acknowledgment that the vascular com...

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a microvascular complication affecting between 30-50% of people living with diabetes. Current painkillers including non-steroidal pain killers and anti-convulsant are ineffective. At the level of the spinal cord (SC), capillary regression is associated with the onset of NP in diabetic rodent models. Our aim was to investigate angiotensin II mediated pericyte activation in relation to vascular degeneration and the onset of NP. Adult male C57Bl/6J mice w...

Background: Current practice of monitoring adrenal incidentalomas with biochemical follow-up and repeat imaging studies is under review by the ESE.Following an audit presented in 2015, we proposed that this extensive follow-up was unnecessary in radiologically benign lesions, as neither functional nor malignant lesions were present in this subgroup.Methods: A retrospective review of the same cohort of 145 patients with adrenal inci...

Adrenal incidentalomas are a common clinical dilemma with increasing utilisation of cross-sectional imaging modalities. The aims of management include: i) exclusion of possible malignancy and ii) identification of hormonally active lesions.Our unit has adopted AACE guidelines, including a screen for adrenal androgen hypersecretion. This audit aimed to review the utility of such an approach.We identified case notes of 145 consecutiv...