Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Acute adrenal insufficiency (adrenal crisis) is a life-threatening condition caused by glucocorticoid deficiency. Patient and carer education is key in the prevention, early identification and prompt management of this condition. We assessed the knowledge of adrenal insufficiency/crisis in patients with adrenal and pituitary disease to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of local ‘sick day’ education processes.Methods: We utilis...

Clinical Case: A 27 year-old primigravida was referred for gynaecology assessment after her 12 week booking ultrasound scan showed a multiloculated cystic mass in the Pouch of Douglas. She reported fatigue, dry skin and constipation for several months. She had no past medical history and took no regular medications. She had conceived naturally, and her periods were previously regular. There was a family history of hypothyroidism in her sister. She emigrated from India 3 years ...

Introduction: The diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) can be challenging and there is no single gold standard diagnostic test. Endocrinologists rely on a combination of plasma cortisol (before and after dexamethasone), midnight salivary cortisol and urinary free cortisol (UFC) to make the diagnosis. Assessment of urinary corticosteroids and their metabolites, measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), provide a comprehensive picture of corticoste...