Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Dopamine agonists (DA) remain the first-line medical therapy for prolactinomas and idiopathic hyperprolactinemia in Endocrinology. DA can also be efficacious in a selected group of patients with acromegaly. There is increasing awareness, among endocrinologists, of Impulse Control Disorders (ICDs) as possible adverse effects of DA therapy.Case reports: We describe ICDs in four patients (two diagnosed with prolactinoma and two diagnosed with ac...

This audit investigated the utilization of thyroid peroxidase antibodies testing in our trust. TPOAb, which emerges as a response to thyroid injury, is found in up to 27% of the population and is associated with autoimmune thyroid disorders. However, it is not considered a disease-causing factor or transmitted from mother to fetus. TPOAb is commonly requested in the community. The retrospective audit reviewed 282 requests from the adult service to the laboratory. After excludi...

Background: Acromegaly is a rare condition characterised primarily by tumourous production of excess Growth Hormone (GH) from a pituitary adenoma. The Octreotide Challenge Test (OCT) has been used in the RVI to predict short term efficacy of long-acting Somatostatin Analogue (SSA) therapy.Aims: We retrospectively reviewed the OCT results of all patients with acromegaly treated at RVI from 2005 to 2021 to evaluate its clinical utility.<p class="abstex...

Introduction: Hypercalcaemia diagnosed in hospital setting is most commonly PTH-independent and malignancy related, whilst hypercalcaemia discovered in community setting is commonly secondary to Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Other rare causes include granulomatous diseases such as sarcoidosis and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH).Case Summary: A 73-year-old male with a background of hypertension and chronic kidney disease stage 3 was foun...

Introduction: Low adherence to levothyroxine replacement therapy can be up to 27% in some population. Suboptimal levothyroxine replacement in the community is primarily due to medication non-adherence. The Levothyroxine Absorption Test (LAT) is a well-described intervention at confirming medication non-adherence or malabsorption. We audited the short-term and long-term clinical outcomes of patients undergoing LAT at our Centre since 2016.Methods: LAT: Pa...

Background: Diagnostic work-up for Cushing Syndrome (CS) can be challenging and is based on clinical and biochemical assessments. Once steroid excess is biochemically confirmed, the diagnostic serum ACTH threshold for determining ACTH-independent Cushing is debatable. A threshold of less than 15 ng/l has been adopted in our regional guidelines.Aims: To investigate serum ACTH levels in patients with proven adrenal Cushing and to assess the clinical utilit...

Background: Pituitary abscesses are rare and carry a high mortality risk. Recurrence of such abscesses is even rarer, with only 9 cases previously reported in the literature to our knowledge. We describe a case of a recurrent pituitary abscess, felt to be associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Case history, investigations, results and treatment A 27-year-old female presented with a right 6th nerve palsy associated with a 3-month history of headache post-partum. Further in...