Endocrine Abstracts

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...

A 33 year old male presented with a two year history of fatigue, headaches, loss of libido, insomnia, depression and hypertension. On examination, he was floridly Cushingoid with central obesity, proximal muscle weakness and purple striae. A bilateral temporal, superior quadrantanopia was noted on formal perimetry. Investigations revealed markedly elevated prolactin levels at 56560mIU/L, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and secondary hypothyroidism. He also had elevated urinary c...