Endocrine Abstracts

A 37-year-old woman presented with a short history of left arm pain. X-ray indicated a lytic lesion of the scapula. Calcium was elevated at 3.25 mmol/l (normal 2.2–2.6) with parathyroid hormone (PTH) 936 pg/ml (5–70). Upon questioning she reported nocturia, polydipsia and dyspepsia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed brown tumours in the scapula, clavicle and hand. A superior parathyroid adenoma was excised with normalisation of calcium. Bone biopsy of the scapular ...

A 45-year-old man who works as a psychotherapist was referred with an incidental finding of a rudimentary uterus and bilateral pelvic gonads on pelvic computerized tomogram and magnetic resonance imaging. This was performed for investigation of abdominal pain which has since settled. As far as he is aware he was born without complications and developed normally through childhood. He progressed through puberty uneventfully with voice changes by 13 years and shaving by 16 years....

Northern Ireland was one of the first participating sites for the UK screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) started 40 years ago. This study aimed to explore any changing patterns in incidence over time. Enrolment in the programme has remained high throughout the 40 years (> 98%). The cut-off value for neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (nTSH) on day 5-8 of life reduced in ~1995 from 10 mU/l to 8 mU/l to improve sensitivity and specificity. There was a s...

Background: A re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the United Kingdom (UK) has been reported. A recent UK study suggested a dose dependent relationship between mild maternal deficiency and a number of childhood cognitive scores. The World Health Organisation defines sufficiency in a population as a median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of ≥100 μg/l in non-pregnant women and infants and ≥150 μg/l during pregnancy. It also recommends a daily intake...

Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of preventable mental impairment worldwide. Recent evidence suggests the re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the UK. A recent multicentre survey in the UK reported that 68% of school girls were iodine deficient with the lowest levels seen in Northern Ireland (NI). Unlike many countries, the UK does not have a salt or food iodination program. World Health Organisation defines deficiency as follows: mild 50–99 μg/l; mode...

Adequate iodine intake during pregnancy is required for the production of thyroid hormones and brain development in the foetus. Recent evidence has suggested re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the UK but there are few studies that have specifically looked at iodine intake in pregnant women. Current World Health Organisation recommendation is for 250 mcg/day intake of iodine in pregnancy and the following are good sources of dietary iodine: 1 pint milk (~140–220 mcg...

Adequate iodine intake during pregnancy is required for the production of thyroid hormones and brain development in the foetus. Recent evidence has suggested re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the UK but there are few studies that have specifically looked at iodine intake in pregnant women. Current World Health Organisation recommendation is for 250 μg per day intake of iodine in pregnancy and the following are good sources of dietary iodine: 1 pint milk (~140&#150...

Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of preventable mental impairment worldwide. Recent evidence suggests the re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the UK possibly due to changing farming practice. A recent multicentre survey in the UK reported that 68% of school girls were iodine deficient with the lowest levels seen in Northern Ireland (NI). Unlike many countries, the UK does not have a salt or food iodination programme. A cross-sectional survey of 264 schoolgirls,...

A 39-year-old female presented with an 18-month history of borderline hypertension, headaches, palpitations and some anxiety symptoms. Both parents also had hypertension. Blood pressure was 160/102 on no medications. She had a large single cafe au lait spot but no neurofibromata. Urinary dopamine levels were repeatedly elevated (5398–8653 nmol/24 h (n<3900)) with normal noradrenaline and adrenaline levels. Serum calcium was also elevated at 2.83 mmol/l (n...

There is limited evidence on the effect of potassium (K+) supplementation on endothelial function. Three studies suggest a beneficial effect in healthy volunteers and mild hypertensives. However potassium increases aldosterone due to a direct effect on the adrenal gland and there is evidence that aldosterone excess is detrimental to cardiovascular health. We therefore aimed to determine the effect of potassium supplementation on endothelial function in patients with...