Endocrine Abstracts

Growth hormone (GH) signals through the GH receptor (GHR), a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily. The extracellular domain of the GHR exists as a soluble form known as the GH binding protein (GHBP). The GHBP is either derived from the GHR by proteolysis (man, rabbit) or from the GHR gene by alternative splicing (rodents). The GHBP circulates in blood and modulates GH action by i) altering GH kinetics, ii) competing with GHRs for ligand, and iii) unproductive GHR/GHBP h...

Lithium blocks the release of organic iodine and thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland without affecting thyroidal radioactive iodine (RAI) uptake. From August 2001, we have been using lithium carbonate 800mg nocte as an adjunct to RAI treatment for thyrotoxicosis. Antithyroid medication is stopped and lithium started 3 days before RAI. Lithium is continued for 10 days in total with levels checked at 3 and 10 days. Thyroid function tests (TFTs) are measured 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 ...

Aim of the study: To assess the efficacy of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) in acromegalic patients.Methods: Over the past 13 years, 207 consecutive patients (117 females; median age, 46 years, range 14–78) affected with GH-secreting adenoma (79 microadenomas, 38%) were operated on in our centre by the same surgical team. Age, gender, tumor size, extension, invasiveness of surrounding structures, and histopathologic features (ki67, mitoses,...

Introduction: The incidence of hyponatremia as a delayed complication of transsphenoidal surgery varies widely from study to study and much of the debate has focused on the symptomatic hypotonic hyponatremia (SHH) occurring usually after discharge.Aim/Design: We studied the incidence, risk factors, course and management of postoperative SHH in two large series of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) for pituitary tumors.Results...