Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: In children with PWS, dysfunction of HPA axis may contribute to the high incidence of sudden death. The prevalence and the extent of the dysfunction of HPA axis remain unclear.Methods: 18 (4M/14F) children with PWS, with a median age of 2.51 years (0.6,9.9), underwent insulin tolerance test (11/18, median age 3.8 years (2.1,9.9)) or glucagon stimulation test (7/18, median age 1.8 years (0.6,2.4)) as part of their assessment before commencin...

A 58-year-old lady presented to hospital with abdominal pain, nausea, and tiredness, and was referred to endocrinology with symptomatic hyponatraemia (serum Na+ 112 mmol/l). Six months previously her serum sodium was normal. She was euvolaemic, and adrenal insufficiency and thyroid dysfunction were excluded. Laboratory investigations were suggestive of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) and no causative medications were identified. A CT of her th...

Background: The majority of thyroid nodules are clinically insignificant, however considerable overlap in radiological characteristics exists for benign and malignant lesions. Recently, validated radiological criteria using thyroid imaging reporting and data system scoring (TIRADS) have shown correlation between cumulative suspicious features and risk of malignancy1.Objective: To assess sensitivity, specificity and reliability of ultrasound sc...

A 39-year-old female presented with an 18-month history of borderline hypertension, headaches, palpitations and some anxiety symptoms. Both parents also had hypertension. Blood pressure was 160/102 on no medications. She had a large single cafe au lait spot but no neurofibromata. Urinary dopamine levels were repeatedly elevated (5398–8653 nmol/24 h (n<3900)) with normal noradrenaline and adrenaline levels. Serum calcium was also elevated at 2.83 mmol/l (n...

Background: Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a well known complication in children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) with a mortality rate estimated at 2%. Sparse data is available from the literature describing socio-demographic factors associated with DKA admissions in children. A previous study identified that children of non-Caucasian race and Medicaid, with T1DM, had increased incidence of DKA admissions.Aims: To identify the socio-demographic factors assoc...

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a well-known complication in children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) with a mortality rate estimated at 2%. Sparse data are available from the literature describing socio-demographic factors associated with DKA admissions in children. A previous study identified that children of non-Caucasian race and Medicaid, with T1DM, had increased incidence of DKA admissions.Aims: To identify the socio-demographic factors asso...

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 ...

Neuroendocrine tumours of the GI tract originate from enterochromaffin cells. Somatostatin analogues are the mainstay drugs for therapy in these cancers as they ameliorate symptoms and lower hormone secretion, but only in 30–70% of patients. Such tumours are also associated with angiogenesis which has been used as a prognostic indicator; adenosine, the major regulator of angiogenesis, is released by enhanced degradation of ATP, during cellular stress, damage and hypoxia.<...

Armour thyroid (Armour) is unlicensed in the UK for the treatment of hypothyroidism. It is natural porcine-derived thyroid replacement with 1 grain containing 38 mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 9 mcg L-triiodothyronine (T3), and unspecified amounts of T1, T2 and calcitonin. We have used Armour as a third line agent in selected patients who have not responded adequately to T4 monotherapy, and combination T4/T3 therapy since 2003.Aim: To assess c...

A 64-year-old man presented with mild biochemical hyperthyroidism – TSH <0.01 mU/l (NR 0.35–4.90), FT4 19.4 pmol/l (NR 9–19) in 2005. He was treated by his general practitioner with a 9 months course of carbimazole. Six months later, TSH became suppressed (0.05 mU/l) but with a normal fT4 (17 pmol/l). He was referred to a ‘One-Stop’ Thyroid Clinic and was seen there 3 months later. Thyroid isotope scan showed a toxic multinodular goitre. He was tre...