Endocrine Abstracts

It is generally considered that sight-threatening retinopathy is most unlikely within 5 years of diagnosis in a young patient with acute onset diabetes. We present the case of a 27 year old who developed severe bilateral proliferative retinopathy within 6 months of diagnosis.She consulted her about GP about long standing irregular periods. As she was overweight the GP checked a random blood sugar which was16. HBAIC was 9.2%. There was a family history of...

Patient empowerment through informed choice is an important message; consistently reinforced through Government initiatives, Trust directives and our Professional Code of Conduct. Historically the Endocrine Nurse Specialist (ENS) performed the role of clinic nurse during Endocrine Clinic. Recognising this as a waste of specialist expertise and resource; identified drug company funding provided a replacement clinic nurse, liberating the ENS to see patients following their docto...

Aims: Previous studies of acromegaly have suggested a prevalence of 60 per million and an incidence of 3-4 per million per year. We have performed a population-based survey to ascertain prevalence and incidence of acromegaly, and biochemical outcomes to treatment. Methods: We have reviewed case notes of all patients with acromegaly under the care of the endocrine unit (referral population of 700,000). Growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 levels at follow-up were examined. Results: Th...

IntroductionThere is general consensus that parathyroid excision is the treatment of choice for primary hyperparathyroidism. Minimally invasive surgery with limited neck exploration has the benefits of reduced operative and recovery times, less complications and excellent cosmetic results. However the success of unilateral neck exploration depends on the accurate preoperative localization of a parathyroid adenoma.Objective<p cl...

Objective: To determine the 24hour thyroid hormone profile on patients with combined T3/T4 therapy.Methods: Two subgroup of patients (10 on combined T3/T4 (study, S) and 10 T4 alone (control, C) were randomly selected from 697 patients who were already involved in WATTS study, after ethical approval. Prior to study entry all patients were on 100micrograms or more of T4. The study group received 10micrograms of T3 in place of 50micrograms of T4 while the ...

Objective: Many patients receiving thyroid hormone replacement therapy complain of persistent lethargy and related symptoms even with normal TSH levels. However, it remains unclear whether this is related to thyroxine replacement or coincidental psychological morbidity.Design: Using general practice computer records, 961 patients on thyroxine (minimum of 4 months) and their age- and sex-matched controls were identified and sent a two-page questionnaire, comprising the shor...