Endocrine Abstracts

Corpus luteum lifespan is regulated by the secretion of prostaglandins (PGF and PGE) from the endometrium. which are synthesized by cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2). However. corpus luteum lifespan is altered by uterine bacterial infections. causing infertility. Uterine infection is common after parturition in cattle. often involving Escherichia coli. The pathogenic ligand of E. coli. lipopolysaccharide (LPS). is detected by Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4). predominantly fo...

Introduction: The biochemical diagnosis of hypophosphataemic rickets relies on measurement of tubular phosphate reabsorption. However, as the renal tubules are immature at birth and the reference range for urine phosphate excretion is not well defined in young children, there is uncertainty about how early in life a biochemical diagnosis of phosphate wasting can be made. In addition, the benefit of early treatment of hypophosphataemic rickets is unclear.<p class="ab...

Clinical case: A 37 year-old Caucasian man was admitted with sudden onset lower limb weakness following a carbohydrate-heavy meal the night before. Pulse was 110/min, sinus rhythm, BP 167/92 mmHg. There was generalised muscle weakness, particularly in his legs, with hyporeflexia and hypotonia. There was no sensory deficit and plantar responses were downgoing. Serum K+ was 2.4 mmol/L, associated with typical ECG anomalies, and was corrected with 40 mmol intravenous KCl followed...

Several studies suggest that mortality rates due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) are increased in patients with hypopituitarism. We retrospectively assessed the prevalence of known diabetes, treated hypertension and dyslipidemia, known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), in a large population (n:250) of patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease. We then prospectively screened 90 such patients for the following CVD risk factors: obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking...

Background: Maternal hyperthyroidism (MH) during late pregnancy is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes but the effects of MH in early gestation when managed in a specialised joint obstetric endocrine clinic setting is unclear. Objectives: To evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of maternal hyperthyroidism presenting during early gestation. Methods: Endocrine and obstetric record of 40 pregnancies with active hyperthyroidism managed in the antenatal endocrine clin...

A 53 year old woman developed a firm thyroid mass which was removed. The histology of the thyroid mass showed auto-immune thyroiditis and Langerhans cell Histiocytosis ( LCH). She also complained of thirst and polyuria. A water deprivation test confirmed cranial diabetes inspidus (CDI) ,the symptoms of which resolved on DDAVP . A glucagon stimulation test showed a blunted growth hormone (GH) response of 13.3 milliU per litre with an IGF-1 level of 16 nanomol per litre. The cor...

Objective: Propylthioracil (PTU) when given long term has recently been implicated in the development of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) related systemic vasculitis. We describe a case of ANCA positive athropathy induced by long term PTU therapy. Methods: Assessment was based on patient's symptoms, signs, serum markers and treatment outcome as revealed by case notes and patient review. A Medline search for PTU related vasculitis was also performed. Results: A 27-yea...

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH) and other disorders of adrenal steroid synthesis compromise synthesis of cortisol and aldosterone. Deficiency of 7-dehydrocholesterol-7-ene-reductase (DHCR7) in the Smith Lemli Opitz syndrome (SLOS) also affects cholesterol synthesis. New-born infants have dysmorphic facial features, microcephaly, second and third toe syndactyly and genital malformations. Later there is mental retardation and problems with cardiac and intestinal function thr...

PCOS is associated with increased biochemical risk markers for cardiovascular disease, particularly low HDL cholesterol and increased triglycerides. There is accelerated progression to type 2 diabetes and hypertension in middle age. These biochemical abnormalities associate with insulin resistance which is present to a greater extent than can be explained by obesity alone. Notwithstanding, hard endpoint data in terms of increased cardiovascular mortality remains elusive. Infla...

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the investigation of choice for patients with thyroid nodules in secondary care. Ideally the following standards should be met: assessment within 2 weeks of referral; FNAB performed in the first visit; consent obtained and documented; communication of the result in person.A cohort of 64consecutive patients (57 female) was identified. The median age was 49 (16-78). Thyroid function tests were normal in 89% of patien...