Endocrine Abstracts

Gender Identity Disorder (GID) has been recognised since the 1950s. The reported prevalence for GID is up to 1 in 30,000 in men and 1 in 100,000 in women. We reviewed 16 patients who were determined to have met the diagnostic criteria for GID and were referred to our clinic for advice on hormonal treatment (HT) - the second phase of the triadic treatment protocol for gender reassignment.The mean age of the group is 32years (Range 18 to 51years). Thirteen have male to femal...

Fatty liver (Hepatic Steatosis) is common in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Furthermore there is a high prevalence of testosterone deficiency (up to 40%) in this population. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has been shown to reduce elevated serum liver transaminase levels in hypogonadal men. The testicular feminised (Tfm) mouse exhibits a non-functional androgen receptor (AR) and low circulating testosterone levels. We have previously shown that a high-fat die...

A 21-year-old man presented with tonic–clonic seizures and two-week history of nocturnal headaches, sweatiness, hot flushes and abdominal pain. Blood pressure was 220/110 mmHg and pulse 120–160 bpm. A GTN infusion was commenced and the blood pressure improved to 150/90 mmHg. Examination revealed a large, hard mass in the left hypochondrium. There was no palpable lymphadenopathy and no papilloedema. A 2 cm hard, irregular mass was present on the left testis. CT showed...

A 28 years old lady presented at 21 weeks gestation with bipedal oedema and 4 week history of easy bruising and weakness and aching of the thighs. She had no significant past medical history and had prior uneventful pregnancy 17 months previously. On examination she was hypertensive (180/100 mmHg), had puffy face, prominent abdominal striae and bilateral leg oedema. Serum potassium was 2.6 mmol/l and random plasma glucose was 8.6 mmol/l. OGTT confirmed gestational diabetes and...

The functional interleukin-4 receptor is a heterodimeric complex composed of the IL-4 receptor alpha chain and the common cytokine gamma chain. The interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) gene is located on human chromosome 16p12.1-11.2. A polymorphism at codon 50 of the alpha chain alters the receptor response to the Th2 cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4). The allele with the amino acid isoleucine at position 50 (Ile50) upregulates receptor activity in response to binding with IL-4 ...