Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The use of Inferior Petrosal Sinus Sampling (IPSS) to differentiate between central and ectopic ACTH dependent Cushing’s, although requires expertise, is widely available. The value of adding prolactin measurement to that of ACTH to improve IPSS diagnostic accuracy remains controversial. We evaluated the impact of adding prolactin measurement to IPSS procedures at a large academic center.Methods: Leftover samples from patients who were...

Introduction: Impact of COVID -19 lockdown on care of patients with chronic disorders such as dyslipidaemia and diabetes still being realized. We examined if care was impacted by assessing biomarkers for diabetes and dyslipidaemia management as well as for vitamin D status, often monitored in general practice.Methods: Retrospective laboratory data for total cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin (A1c) and for vitamin D levels were obtained for late (October t...

This study aimed to establish the optimal cut-off decision point for Folate and B12 levels. Retrospective review of serum, RBC folate as well as B12 test results performed at our hospital for the period April 2012 up to May 2016 were analysed for concordance.With data analysis of around serum folate and B12 20,000 results, the new cut-offs for low values are tentatively set to be 5.5 ng/ml and 178 pg/ml. The percentages of deficiencies in our patient pop...

Introduction: Cord blood gases are measured following partition and are used as surrogate markers in the assessment of fetal oxygenation status at delivery and in identification of risk for neonatal encephalopathy. Low maternal prolactin levels were associated increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome. This study measured cord blood prolactin levels and correlated values with blood gases to examine possible value in assessment of fetal stress during deli...

Frequent measurement of blood glucose among hospitalized patients including those in critically ill areas is routinely practiced. Evidence suggests that tight glycaemic control among hospitalized patients reduced complications such as sepsis and has been shown to reduce length of stay. Most commercially available devices have not been assessed in critically ill patients, furthermore point of care (POC) glucose testing among paediatric populati...

Frequent measurement of blood glucose among hospitalized patients including those in critically ill areas is routinely practiced. Evidence suggests that tight glycaemic control among hospitalized patients reduced complications such as sepsis and has been shown to reduce length of stay. Most commercially available devices have not been assessed in critically ill patients, furthermore point of care (POC) glucose testing among paediatric populati...

Growing interest in the role of vitamin D in many disease conditions as well as wide availability of vitamin D assays has led to a marked increase in its measurement. Although there are multiple circulating metabolites of vitamin D, those of interest are 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 and measurements of their relative concentrations is considered helpful. We reviewed vitamin D levels (D2 and D3) obtained on our patient population visiting a large teaching hospital.<p class="...

Introduction: Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is widely used when investigating primary hyperaldosteronism. In this study we reviewed adrenal aldosterone and cortisol values for measurement range and for biochemical concordance with intervention in patients being investigated for aldosterone producing adenoma (APA).Methods: Retrospective review of AVS procedures performed at our institution during three years (May 2016–May 2019) was conducted. Aldoste...

Ectopic ACTH is rare and represents about 10% of causes of Cushing’s syndrome. Associated tumours are neuroendocrine in origin and include small cell lung cancer, carcinoid tumours, and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. In this report, we describe a rare case of ectopic ACTH due to a primary pulmonary carcinoid tumour.A 29 years old male was diagnosed with hypertension 18 months prior to presentation. On ex...

Ectopic ACTH is rare and represents about 10% of causes of Cushing’s syndrome. Associated tumours are neuroendocrine in origin and include small cell lung cancer, carcinoid tumours, and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. In this report, we describe a rare case of ectopic ACTH due to a primary pulmonary carcinoid tumour.A 29 years old male was diagnosed with hypertension 18 months prior to presentation. On ex...