Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Iron overload disorders (IOD) are associated with a higher occurrence of unbalanced calcium (Ca)-phosphorous (P) metabolism, including hypoparathyroidism (HPT). However, data about prevalence and presentation of HPT in this setting are scanty. A Ca/P ratio <2.32 has been proposed to detect HPT in the general population.Aim: To characterize Ca-P homeostasis, particularly the prevalence of HPT, in a cohort of adult patients with IOD compare...

Background: Thyroid nodules represent a common clinical finding and their prevalence is increasing worldwide. However, the most recent international guidelines do not give indications on the need to retest adults with previous negative neck ultrasound (US).Aim: To evaluate the incidence of thyroid US abnormalities in patients with previous negative thyroid US and identify patient’s characteristics able to predict the risk of developing thyroid disea...

Introduction: Hypothyroidism treatment is classically based on levothyroxine (LT4). However, 10% of hypothyroid patients treated with LT4 complain of hypothyroidism symptoms, despite normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) serum levels. This ”peripheral hypothyroidism” has been linked to decreased availability of free triiodothyronine (fT3), likely related to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in deiodinase genes (DIO), reducing enzymatic activity. Since...

Introduction: Despite normal thyroid-stimulating hormone serum levels, up to 60% of hypothyroid patients are dissatisfied with the treatment. Animal studies suggest that the persistence of symptoms may derive from peripheral hypothyroidism. Combination treatment with levothyroxine and liothyronine is a theoretically plausible solution but its efficacy is still questionable.Aim: To evaluate the effects of personalized twice-daily combination therapy on pe...