Endocrine Abstracts

Hirsutism of gradual onset is most commonly caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Measurement of testosterone, sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG), LH and FSH form part of the investigations. It is still a matter of debate at which level of testosterone further investigations are necessary to exclude an androgen-producing tumor.A 31-year-old woman presented with an eight-year history of hirsutism without her fertility and menstrual cycles being affected. Examinatio...

A 48-year-old woman presented to her GP with polyuria and proximal muscle weakness. She was found to have newly developed hypertension at 180/96 and her serum potassium was 2.7 mmol/l. Lisinopril 40 mg od and Slow-K 1 tablet bd were started and she was referred for further investigation.On clinic review blood pressure was 188/110 supine and 190/110 standing. Serum sodium was 147 mmol/l, potassium 3.7 mmol/l and total bicarbonate 29 mmol/l. Her Lisinopril...

Testicular tumours are uncommon causes of precocious puberty (10%). The majority are Leydig cell tumours and require surgical removal plus chemotherapy. We present an 8 years (8.04 years) old male child who presented with rapid onset of pubic hair growth and right testicular swelling. Examination: his height was (143.3 cm, just above 99.6 th centile), weight (32.3 kg, 91st centile). Pubertal staging at A1, P2, G 4. Left testis 2 ml/right 8 ml. Bloods taken showed prepubertal L...

Mutations in the DAX-1 gene are well described in patients with adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism but can be a useful tool in the elucidation of unusual or difficult cases of adrenal insufficiency. As the clinical presentation of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and AHC can be clinically identical, diagnosis in the neonate often depends on the levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP). If these are unavailable or non-diagnostic, gene analysis c...

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a key factor in the regulation of blood pressure and therefore its' blockade may reduce the vascular complications which arise with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Adipose tissue expresses all the components of the RAS system that includes the pre-prohormone angiotensinogen (AGT) and its' active metabolite angiotensin II (ANG II), which mediates vasoconstriction and electrolyte balance and as such may contribute to obesity associated hyp...