Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Radioiodine (RAI) is highly effective in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Lithium reduces thyroidal release of organic iodide and thyroid hormones, thus increasing thyroid retention of RAI and subsequently, the delivered dose of radiation. Controversy surrounds whether lithium increases the efficacy of RAI.Aims: To assess whether lithium improved outcome after radioiodine treatment and analyse fT4 and eye disease changes in lithium treatment...

Background: Close follow up of patients treated with radioiodine (RAI) for hyperthyroidism is imperative to ensure that resultant hypothyroidism or ensuing hyperthyroidism is detected promptly and treated. Protocols of follow up vary between hospitals. In our centre, a telephone clinic is used and patients are called after thyroid function tests at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks post radioiodine.Aims: To audit patient follow up in the telephone clinic, comparin...

A 37-year old gentleman with MEN 1 was referred to our Centre for further assessment. MEN 1 had manifested as recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism and multiple pancreatic gastrinomas. He complained of reduced libido, with absent early morning erections for the preceding 18 months. Biochemistry confirmed hyperprolactinaemia (prolactin 1494, NR 0–625 mU/l, testosterone 12 NR 10–28 nmol/l, LH 2.6 NR 2–12 IU/l, FSH 3.7 NR 1.7–8 IU/l). During investigation of h...

The National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes requires that type II diabetes patients are actively involved in their diabetes management. The use of patient-held, integrated care plans is envisaged to encourage patients to actively participate in their diabetes management and to facilitate the flow of information between primary and secondary care. However, the utility of such schemes may be limited by the current level of patient education regarding the data recorded in t...

The National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes requires that type II diabetes patients are actively involved in their diabetes management. The use of patient-held, integrated care plans is envisaged to encourage patients to actively participate in their diabetes management and to facilitate the flow of information between primary and secondary care. However, the utility of such schemes may be limited by the current level of patient education regarding the data recorded in t...

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), is generally caused by a mutation in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. In sequencing genomic DNA from patients with CAIS, we identified 7 novel mutations in the AR. Their effects on AR function are speculated in relation to AR functional domains and crystal structure. Local Ethical Committee approval was obtained for the use of patient samples.Exon 1 mutations, Q86X and Y480X, are located in the transactiv...

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate effects on glycemic control, body weight and cardiovascular risk factors (BP, lipids and Epworth sleepiness scale) in diabetic patients with morbid obesity treated with exenatide.Material and methods: We studied consecutively 21 T2DM patients, all of them treated with metformin full dosage and insufficient metabolic control referred to our clinic for preoperative control of bariatric surgery. Twelve of ...

In foetuses at risk of virilising CAH, prenatal treatment can be offered by administration of dexamethasone (DEX) via the mother in order to prevent genital malformations. Accumulating evidence from animal studies and epidemiological data raise concerns regarding the long term consequences of excess glucocorticoids on the developing foetus. The European study PREDEX is organized as an open, controlled, non-randomised, multicentre trial. The impact of DEX on the general well-be...

We describe a case of pituitary apoplexy in a patient with a known non- functioning macroadenoma. A 57 year old female was incidentally found to have a 20 x 16 mm solid and cystic pituitary mass abutting the optic chiasm on MRI scanning. She had gonadotrophin deficiency on endocrine testing and normal visual fields. Although repeat perimetry 12 months later revealed a mild superior bi-temporal hemianopia, the patient elected not to have surgery.Several m...

The definition of early cure post transphenoidal surgery (TSS) for Cushing’s disease continues to be debated. The low dose dexamethasone suppression test with corticotrophin releasing hormone (LDDST-CRH) is a test for diagnosis of Cushing’s; however it has not been validated in early post TSS to determine remission. The aim of this study was to determine whether the combined LDDST-CRH test could be used in post TSS patients.The combined LDDST-C...