Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Rapidly progressive hirsuitism or virilization raises the suspicion of an androgen-secreting tumour. Adrenal tumours are usually ruled out by hormonal testing and imaging studies. Small virilizing ovarian tumours may not be detectable by imaging studies.Case 1: A 66 year-old woman presented with 4 year history of hirsutism and virilization. She had a history of longstanding uterine bleeding secondary to fibroids. Investigations revealed raise...

Background: Pregnancy after complete loss of hypophyseal function is rare. Complete lack of ovarian stimulation by FSH and LH results in anovulation and atrophy of the ovaries. We report a patient with panhypopituitirism who achieved pregnancy and delivery through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET).Case: A 35 year-old lady had undergone four trans-sphenoidal hypophesectomy operations, at 12, 13, 23 and 26 years of age, for recur...

Heparin is being frequently used in most hospitals within the U.K. The use of low molecular weight heparin is increasing also amongst different specialities. The risk of bleeding and thrombocytopaenia with heparin treatment is well recognised. However other side effects of heparin therapy like hyperkalaemia, which can be life threatening due to the high risk of arrhythmias are less commonly perceived.We describe a 59 year old female patient with type 2 d...

Random serum cortisol levels should be carefully interpreted in the clinical setting of hypoadrenalism, when clinicians have a high index of suspicion. We describe an 81year old lady who was admitted with symptoms and signs of hypoadrenalism, though her random cortisol levels were 800nmol/l. She was admitted following a collapse at home. She also gave a history of weight loss of about 5 kgs over the previous 6 months, and complained of breathlessness. On examination she was sl...