Endocrine Abstracts

In October 2006 a 53-year-old, non-smoking woman presented with ectopic Cushings from a small cell, undifferentiated carcinoma (Grade 3 neuroendocrine) from a 10 mm tumour at the left lung hilum (Cortisol: 09:00 a.m. 720 nmol/l; 24.00 mm 742 nmol/l. ACTH 114 ng/l). Four years before she had sustained a myocardial infarction, with atrial fibrillation, and was found to have Graves’ disease, being treated initially with carbimazole then radioactive iodine, becoming hypothyro...

Aims: Despite the plethora of testosterone therapies, Successful testosterone replacement remains a challenge. We assessed patient empowerment, treatment satisfaction and adherence to current testosterone replacement guidelines.Methods: Data were collected from case notes and a testosterone diary questionnaire in 16-patients with testosterone deficiency.Results: Median age was 46-years (range 21–69). All patients received an e...

The synacthen test is a commonly performed endocrine test; we have looked at whether we overuse this test. Of 150 synacthen tests performed in one year 52 were randomly selected for audit. 19 were undertaken for symptoms alone (Group 1); 16 for a low random cortisol (below 261 nmom/l – Group 2); 17 for electrolyte disturbances (either low sodium, high potassium or both – Group 3). 3 in Group 2 and 1 in Group 1 were abnormal but in no patient with a random cortisol ab...