Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Untreated hypothyroidism may be associated with cutaneous signs including coarse, dry skin and hair loss. Myxoedema (also known as thyroid dermopathy) is usually associated with Graves’ thyrotoxicosis but has been reported in patients with hypothyroidism. We describe an unusual skin disorder in a patient with autoimmune hypothyroidism, initially misdiagnosed as myxoedema.Case: A 41-year-old female with an extensive medical history includ...

Aim: Over the last decade, cardiac valvular fibrosis has been associated with the use of high dose (ergot-derived) dopamine agonist therapy in Parkinson’s disease. Although the risk in endocrine patients appears significantly lower, routine echocardiographic monitoring is now recommended. This study evaluated the incidence of significant cardiac valvulopathy in endocrine patients treated with cabergoline in a District General Hospital Population, and compliance with MHRA ...

A 32-years-old lady was admitted with raised calcium. She had palpitation, sweating, 3 stones weight loss and neck swelling. She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease 5 months ago. Her mother had history of thyroid disease but no family history of hypercalcaemia. She had a small goitre and lid lag on examination. On admission, adjusted calcium was 3.04 mmol/l. PTH was < 0.5 pmol/l. Phosphate, vitamin-D, kidney functions, cortisol, myeloma screen and ACE levels ...

Case history: A 61 year old male with a background of diabetes mellitus Type 2 and congestive cardiac failure (CCF) was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease in 2014 following identification of severe osteoporosis through investigations for non-traumatic vertebral fractures causing paraplegia.Investigations: He had high ACTH and cortisol levels which failed to suppress on low and high dose dexamethasone suppression tests, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism a...

Background and aim: The Department of Health and NHS Plan both recognise that sending patients copies of clinic correspondence can help inform and empower them. At St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Endocrinology Clinic we routinely provide patients with a copy of the clinic correspondence sent to their General Practitioner (GP), unless patients specifically opt out. Our aim was to evaluate patients’ views on receiving such copy correspondence following ...

Thyroid hormone resistance is a rare but recognised cause of clinical hypothyroidism. We explain a case of clinical hypothyroidism that was associated with thyroid hormone resistance.A 48-year Caucasian female with no known personal or family endocrine history was referred with a 12-month-history of weight gain and increased tiredness. Past history included depression and osteoarthritis, with regular medications being NSAIDs and amitryptiline. There was ...

Background: Male hypogonadism is associated with reduction in bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of low BMD in a clinic-based cohort of hypogonadal men.Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study of 152 patients (≥18 years with testosterone(T) ≤11 nmol/L) who were consequently reviewed in an endocrine clinic. Data was extracted from electronic patient records and included base...

Background: Male hypogonadism is commonly caused by hypothalamo-pituitary testicular disease. The effect of modifiable risk factors (obesity, alcohol, smoking, prescribed medications and recreational drugs) on secondary hypogonadism in a clinic-based cohort is unclear. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and effects of modifiable risk factors on secondary hypogonadism.Method: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study...

Introduction: Short synacthen test (SST) is of value in assessing the adequacy of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA). Although it is extensively used, it is unclear at what morning cortisol concentration one should consider performing the SST.Methods: Retrospective observational study of consecutively performed SST (250 μg) between January 2009 and March 2010. Plasma cortisol was measured by enzyme immunoassay (Siemens Advia, Siemen...

Case report: A 52-year-old woman presented with an 11-month history of increasing hirsutism and deepening voice. She had a past history of total abdominal hysterectomy (ovaries preserved) with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma. She was on no medication. Examination revealed evidence of virilisation with no other abnormality.Investigations: Total testosterone=10.7 nmol/l (<2.9).FSH=31.7 U/l (37–1...