Endocrine Abstracts

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...

We report of a 71-year-old gentleman first diagnosed with acromegaly in 1981. He was initially treated with hypophysectomy and radiotherapy and subsequently bromocriptine therapy; requiring increments in the dose over the next ten-years (1981–1991) by which time he remained on maintenance dose of 10mgs thrice-daily. Bromocriptine was tolerated well and the patient had no side effects. Treatment was weaned off due to improvement in patient’s symptoms and growth hormon...

Anabolic steroids enhance performance in atheletes, but can lead to life threatening consequences. We report a 33-year-old male amateur body-builder using anabolic steroids, presenting with acute inferolateral myocardial infraction and marked hyperlipidaemia. He had no known cardiovascular risk factors. Despite rapid thrombolysis, peak creatinine kinase was 3,348 iu/l, signifying significant myocardial damage and a markedly raised total cholesterol of 10.6 mmol/l, with a low H...

Carcinoid tumours are the most common neuroendocrine tumors with an estimated incidence of 7-13/ million population. The clinical symptoms of carcinoid tumours usually relate to presence of the carcinoid syndrome, local symptoms or metastases. Most are asymptomatic with only 10% manifesting the 'carcinoid syndrome'. We report an 86 year-old lady referred for evaluation of multiple subcutaneous, nodules around her neck and upper back, with a suspicion of underlying lymphoprolif...

Anabolic steroids enhance performance in atheletes, but can lead to life threatening consequences. We report a 33-year-old male amateur body-builder using anabolic steroids, presenting with acute inferolateral myocardial infraction and marked hyperlipidaemia. He had no known cardiovascular risk factors. Despite rapid thrombolysis, peak creatinine kinase was 3,348 iu/l, signifying significant myocardial damage and a markedly raised total cholesterol of 10.6 mmol/l, with a low H...

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...