Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: A short-synacthen test (SST) is routinely used to diagnose hypoadrenalism, however, some authors suggest using morning serum cortisol as an initial screening test to rule out hypoadrenalism. We assessed the utility of a morning cortisol as a screening test when compared with the outcome of SST.Methods: We retrospectively analysed SSTs carried out in our endocrine outpatient clinic in the last 3 years (649 results). Of these, 113 were identi...

We present a case of a 44-year-old chef, presenting with a fortnight’s history of a pruritic rash over his trunk and axillae. He was diagnosed to have hypertension, which was treated by lifestyle interventions. His diet was poor, and he drank 40 units of alcohol per week. His parents had hypercholesterolemia, but there was no history of premature coronary artery disease. On examination, his BMI was 31.62 kg/m2, and he had eruptive xanthomata on his chest, abdom...

Background: Opportunistic screening is more efficient than population screening for diabetes mellitus. The aim is to describe the prevalence of unrecognized diabetes mellitus (DM) among out-patients clinic attending in a major hospital in Basrah, Southern Iraq.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study. The study conducted for the period between January 2006 to end of July 2007. Patients, who attended the out-patient clinic in Al-Faiha hospital in Ba...

IntroductionDeficiency of 17- beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (17-HSD 3) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder which causes sexual ambiguity in fetuses with 46XY karyotype. Pathogenic mutations in the 17βHSD-3 gene (MIM# 264300) are associated with impaired sexual development of the 46, XY fetus. Here, we describe the clinical and genetic findings of a large family with several 46xy cases with a new mutation in 17-β-HSD3 gene in Qazvtn, Ir...

Case history: 81 year-old female was admitted to hospital with pneumonia. Past medical history included laryngeal cancer (1996), laryngectomy, iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and pulmonary tuberculosis (2007). She was treated with different antibiotics without improvement. She had positive aspergillus serology, but cultures were negative. She was started on voriconazole which was later changed to itraconazole 100 mg twice daily and discharged home. She was seen ...

A 34-year-old was referred for a second opinion regarding his incidental mild hypercalcemia ranging between 2.56 mmol/l and 2.88 mmol/l, with a corresponding PTH ranging between of 3.3 pmol/l and 6.8 pmol/l (laboratory reference range 1.3-9.3 pmol/l). He did not have a history of renal calculi or fractures. He reported chronic recurrent diarrhoea, weight loss, low mood and chronic headache. There was no known family history of calcium disorders. His examination did not reveal ...

Hypoglycemia during hospital admission remains a common complication of diabetes. Hypoglycemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, increased length of stay, increased admission rate and increased cost to the NHS. Prompt treatment of inpatient hypoglycemia is imperative to avoid such complications. The Hypoglycemia box is an important tool to manage hypoglycemia on the wards. It is crucial for all clinical members to be aware of the hypoglycemia box; its conte...

A 44 years old lady with history of suspected psychogenic polydipsia (2021), presented with acute on chronic abdomen pain. She complained of lethargy, intermittent vomiting, abdomen pain, weight loss (four stones) over last six months associated with confusion and visual hallucination since two weeks. She mentioned feeling always thirsty and drinks around 4-5 litres of water per day. Her blood pressure was 87/61 mmHg, heart rate 74/min and U&Es were normal (serum sodium 14...

Young man with high BMI and known iatrogenic hypothyroidism, post radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment (2015) for Graves’ thyrotoxicosis (2011) was referred to endocrinology due to significantly raised TSH (at 50 mu/l) and low FT4 (5.0 pmol/l). He was actually admitted with progressive nausea, vomiting over last three weeks. He also complained of abnormal stool consistency (like semi-solid) intermittently. His past medical history also includes gastric bypass with gastro-je...

This case report highlights an unusual side effect of hypophosphatemia linked to Abacavir; a medication commonly used in the treatment of HIV. A 36-year-old male patient was referred to the endocrine team due to persistent hypophosphatemia while receiving Abacavir for his HIV management. Extensive investigations, including assessments of calcium levels Urea and Electrolytes, parathyroid hormone (PTH), Vitamin D, serum magnesium, and serum cortisol and fibroblast growth factor ...