Endocrine Abstracts

Hypoparathyroidism is an uncommon condition characterized by reduced parathyroid hormone production resulting in hypocalcaemia with its clinical manifestations. A minority of cases are familial and exist as either isolated disease or as part of well described, multisystem syndromes. Mutation in the Autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE) results in Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome type 1 featuring hypoparathyroidism as a part of the syndrome. This case reported herein describes a mu...

Introduction: Hyperglycaemic Hyperosmolar State (HHS) is characterised by Hypovolemia, marked hyperglycaemia, Osmolality of 320 mosmol/kg or more with the absence of acidosis and hyperketonaemia (Ph > 7.3, bicarbonate > 15 mmol/l). This is a presentation usually found in people with poorly controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). During the current pandemic of COVID-19, there have been atypical and unusual presentations of Diabetic Emergencies, in patients with well...

Available evidence suggests that Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark extract (SBE) which possesses hypoglycaemic activity may be useful in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus. Since diabetes is associated with cardiovascular and kidney complications, we investigated the influence of SBE on blood glucose, blood pressure and renal function in some experimental animal paradigms. For OGTT tests, separate groups (n=6 in each group) of non-diabetic and streptozo...

Men show an age-associated decline in 24-hour circulating testosterone levels, but the reason for this decline is unclear. To shed light on the possible cause we first established that male rhesus monkeys undergo a similar decline in testosterone with age. Testosterone from young adult (∼10 years) and old (∼26 years) unanaesthetized males was measured by RIA from blood samples collected remotely through a vascular catheter, every 30 minutes for 24 hours. In both yo...

Midgut Carcinoid disease (MGC) is uncommon, occurring in approximately 1.4 per 100,000 of the population per year. MGC has an unpredictable disease progression varying from rapid and aggressive to slow and indolent. For this reason it is not appropriate to treat all patients according to the same schedule. As some treatments are not without risk, it is important to identify those patients selected for these options at an appropriate stage of disease.In a...

In cases of ret-oncogene positive Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC), national guidelines advocate screening of 1st degree relatives with the Pentagastrin Stimulation Test (PST) to identify those with C-cell hyperplasia, and therefore at risk of MTC. Prophylactic thyroidectomy is recommended in those with positive tests. We highlight the difficulties of quantifying risk in the relatives of a ret-negative patient.A 30 year-old man presented with a tender n...

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) have important metabolic roles in the human body. IGFBP-3 (40 and 45 kD glycoforms) is the most abundant in serum, whereas IGFBP-2 (34 kD) and IGFBP-1 (29 kD) are present at lower concentrations.Most inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are characterised by a cytokine- mediated inflammatory reaction, malnutrition and catabolism. The aim of this work was to detect possib...

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) have important metabolic roles in the human body. IGFBP-3 (40 and 45 kD glycoforms) is the most abundant in serum, whereas IGFBP-2 (34 kD) and IGFBP-1 (29 kD) are present at lower concentrations.Most inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are characterised by a cytokine- mediated inflammatory reaction, malnutrition and catabolism. The aim of this work was to detect possib...

Objective: Diagnostic uncertainty arises for paediatric patients when establishing a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) due to concurrent pubertal changes. Management decisions can also therefore be challenging. The investigations and management of patients referred to the Paediatric Endocrinology Service was audited against international guidelines.Methods: Retrospective audit of patients referred with susp...

Introduction/Background: Somatostatin analogue injections are a mainstay for the treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumours. Gallstones are a known adverse effect of this treatment. PRRT can bring extra complications for patients having an episode of cholecystitis, biliary colic, cholangitis or pancreatitis.Aims: To examine a cohort of patients undergoing PRRT, looking for the incidence of gallstones and how many patients suffe...