Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Hypogonadism in men is associated with osteoporosis and low libido. Serum testosterone in men falls after the age of 40 years; however the benefits of replacement therapy are not established. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect of testosterone transdermal patches on bone turnover, body composition, quality of life (QoL) and well-being in men with borderline hypogonadism.Methods: 38 borderline hypogo...

Oral but not transdermal ORT reduces serum IGF-1 levels in postmenopausal women. The effect of ORT type on GH dose and sensitivity is unclear. We present a retrospective analysis of GH-deficient women on ORT in the KIMS database.AIM: To determine the type of oestrogen prescribed and its effect on GH dose.METHOD: Patients were divided into groups taking oral oestradiol valerate, conjugated oestrogen, ethinyloestradiol and transderma...

Background. Adrenal insufficiency requires life long corticosteroid therapy, but optimal dosing of hydrocortisone replacement has not received adequate attention.Chronic over or under treatment predisposes to morbidity and mortality.Objective.To examine the variables determiming hydrocortisone disposition and develop practical protocols for individualised prescribing and monitoring of treatment.Design. Prospective open study.<p...

AIM: 1) To determine GH dose requirement in GH deficient patients aged over 60 years. METHODS: The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee. Patients were started on Genotropin 0.4 units (0.13 mg)/day after baseline assessment. Serum IGF-I was repeated at 2-weekly intervals. Maintenance GH dose was achieved when serum IGF-1 was between the median and upper end of the age-related range. RESULTS: 16 patients (10 men & 6 women) were recruited. Their median (range) age...

AIM: To assess efficacy of GH replacement and safety of stopping treatment in patients aged over 60 years.METHODS: GH-deficient patients were started on GH 0.13 miligram per day and the dose titrated over 4 months to a serum IGF-1 in the upper half of the age-related normal range. After 4 months titration, patients were randomised to either continuing GH or placebo in a double-blind, cross-over study with 2 x 4 month periods of either GH or placebo treatment.RESULTS: 1...