Endocrine Abstracts

Hormones are key regulators of numerous physiological processes. While most hormones are produced in select organs, their effects are felt throughout the body. Hormonal exposure is not only mediated by hormone production, but also by circulating binding proteins, and by local metabolism. Although we still heavily rely on total serum levels for the diagnosis of endocrine disorders and abnormalities, it is increasingly clear that total serum hormone levels do not always accurate...

Introduction: Even in healthy men, androgen levels start decreasing from early adulthood and these decreases are more pronounced in men with an increasing body mass index (BMI). It is, however, unclear to what extent changes in other indices of body composition and metabolic health are associated with changes in sex steroid exposure in healthy men over time.Objective: Investigating longitudinal changes in body composition and metabolic health in relation...

Introduction: Cyclic Cushing Syndrome (CCS) is a rare entity of Cushing’s syndrome (CS), characterized by a cyclic excretion of cortisol, resulting in periods of hypercortisolism intertwining with periods of hypo- or normocortisolism. Diagnosis of CS as such can be challenging, moreover the cyclicity of CCS may necessitate repeated testing. (1)Case: A 68 year old woman consulted because of periodically appearing ede...

Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the value of a TRH stimulation test to assess the risk of permanent central hypothyroidism after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed, evaluating the results of a routinely performed TRH stimulation test executed in the first 2 weeks after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery in patients admitted to the Ghent University Hospital between 1/1/2010 and 31/12/201...

Background: Treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and secondary hyperparathyroidism due to idiopathic hypercalciuria (SHPT-IH) is markedly different. Nevertheless, differentiating one from another remains a challenge and robust diagnostic tools are lacking. The thiazide challenge test (TCT) has been proposed as a means to aid clinicians in their decision making. However, evidence supporting its use is scarce.Materials and Methods: We performed ...

Objective: Acromegaly is often accompanied by abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism, which tend to ameliorate upon treatment. However, few studies have investigated whether glucose homeostasis and lipid profiles are differently affected by different treatment regimens. This study aimed to compare glucose homeostasis and lipid profiles in patients with acromegaly who are well-controlled after surgery or under stable treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogs (SSA) ...

Background: Treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and secondary hyperparathyroidism due to idiopathic hypercalciuria (SHPT-IH) is markedly different. Nevertheless, differentiating one from another remains a challenge and robust diagnostic tools are lacking. The thiazide challenge test (TCT) has been proposed to aid clinicians in their decision making. However, evidence supporting its use is non-existent.Materials and me...

Background: Pegvisomant has demonstrated efficacy in attaining IGF1 normalisation in previously uncontrolled acromegalic patients. A home care programme improves treatment compliance.Aims: Evaluation of home educational program and quality of life (Qol).Methods: Multicentre observational study involving eight Flemish centres. Uncontrolled acromegalic out-patients were trained for daily subcutaneous pegvisomant injection at home by ...

Introduction: Thyroid hormone (TH) replacement therapy in patients with central hypothyroidism (CHT) cannot be reliably guided by TSH levels. Guidelines suggest substitution doses between 1.2–1.6 µg/kg body weight, aiming for free thyroxine levels (fT4) prior to intake in the upper part of normal. However, variability in TH metabolism, concomitant treatments and inaccurate interpretation of TSH levels still puts patients with CHT at risk for inappropriate substituti...

Introduction: Male obesity is associated with an increase in estradiol (E2) and a decrease in testosterone (T). And, although sex steroids are associated with cardiovascular disease, direct effects on cardiac structure and function are hardly investigated in humans.Methodology: Twenty healthy men aged 20–40 years were randomized into two groups. One group was given an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) only, thus obtaining a high testosteron...