Endocrine Abstracts

Delay in establishing a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency can lead to adrenal crisis. An adrenal crisis is a potential life-threatening complication of adrenal insufficiency, and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality if not treated appropriately. Adrenal crises have been defined as ‘acute disturbances of physiology that happen when the circulating levels of adrenal steroid hormones are insufficient for physiological requirements’. Adrenal crisis related deat...

Introduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis undertaken by Bell et al, 2013 found limited evidence to recommend carbohydrate counting as the standard dietary therapy in Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM). There seems to be a gap in current knowledge about comparing carbohydrate counting with other meal planning approaches for children and young people (CYP) with diabetes and the effects on clinical outcomes (Gillespie et al. 1998). Current literature also suggests that the...

A 64 year old female presented to A&E with a 3 month history of general decline, low mood and 8 kg weight loss. On examination there was facial plethora, thin skin with generalised bruising and peripheral oedema. Initial blood tests showed raised inflammatory markers, low potassium (2.6 mmol/l) and deranged liver function tests. A CT chest/abdomen/pelvis found a 2 cm lesion in the left lung with extensive liver metastases but no nodal deposits in the abdomen so this was fe...

A 61-year-old male was referred for hypercalcaemia. He was experiencing generalized fatigue and underwent several investigations which included serum calcium. He had recently been treated for two episodes of chest infections. At that time, he was also experiencing weight loss and night sweats. His symptoms have since resolved. He had no symptoms of hypercalcaemia- polyuria, polydipsia, abdominal pain, constipation, bone pain, or headaches. He was not taking calcium supplements...

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) tend to be slow growing (although aggressive forms exist) and are often diagnosed when they have already metastasised.Treatment of NETs is typically multidisciplinary and should be individualised according to the tumour type, burden, and symptoms. Therapeutic tools in NETs include surgery, interventional radiology and medical treatments such as somatostatin analogues, interferon, chemotherapy, new targeted drugs and peptide ...

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic syndrome caused by a disorder of chromosome 15 (q11–13) are deleted or unexpressed on the paternal chromosome. It affects both sexes equally.Characteristics of PWS include hypotonia, hyperphagia with excessive weight gain, short stature delayed puberty and hypogonadism. Individuals with PWS are at risk of learning and attention difficulties.Most adults with PWS have deficiencies of...

As days become shorter susceptible people typically develop a cluster of symptoms associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD): decreased energy levels, difficulty waking up, increased sleeping, weight gain, social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating and depressed mood. These symptoms usually remit in the spring with the increase in photoperiod. There is also evidence for seasonality (i.e. less severe changes in mood than observed in SAD) in the general population. SAD i...

Introduction: Acromegaly is caused by excessive growth hormone production and elevated IGF-1 levels. Annual incidence rates are reported to be between 0.2 and 1.1 cases/100 000 people, with a prevalence of 2.8–13.7 cases/100 000 people. Small numbers make it difficult to differentiate any differences between sex. A recent increase in the number of females diagnosed with acromegaly at our centre, voiced a need for peer and psychological support. It is known that acromegaly...

Patient Demographics: 22-month-old female, severe failure to thrive.Past History: Birth weight 5 lb 11 oz at term, grew well for 4 months and then deviating progressively below the curve in height and weight.Physical exam: Length 66 cm (−5.1 SD), weight 6.6 kg (−6.7 SD). Prominent forehead and midfacial hypoplasia noted. Muscle mass decreased.Family history: Mother&#1...

A 60-year-old South African male, presented as an emergency with a 4 week history of lethargy, polyuria, increased thirst, constipation and weight loss. Blood tests revealed hypercalcemia with CCa-4.72 mmol/l, PTH-159.3pmol/l and 25 OH Vitamin D 22mmol/l. Intensive iv hydration was followed by IV Pamidronate 60 mg stat. Calcitonin (4 units/Kg tds) was started 48 hours later which resulted in a fall in the calcium to 2.66 by day 5. Cinacalcet 30 mg od was then introduced such t...