Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: To evaluate the serum levels of resistin and adiponectin, and the potential relationship between these adipokines, thyroid function, lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine levels in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).Methods: patients with AIT (58 females; 47.7±16.7 years) were studied; 33 of them had also SCH. These patients were diagnosed by a positive result in an anti-peroxidase...

Background and objectives: The finding of a thyroid nodule is a very common occurrence in clinical practice. Management of thyroid nodules requires a multidisciplinary approach that may be eased by a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic. We report our clinical experience and outcomes in a high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic.Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1674 thyroid nodules evaluated in a high-resolution clinic from a...

Background: Short Synacthen test (SST) is being increasingly used in various clinical conditions, mainly for completion purpose of ruling out adrenocortical insufficiency rather than actively suspecting it (for instance hypothyroidism with tiredness, type 1 diabetes with hypoglycaemia). The aim of our retrospective analysis was to assess if a random cortisol could predict the outcome of SST.Method: Data were collected on all SST done at the endocrine uni...

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are widely prescribed. PPI-induced diarrhoea and hypomagnesaemia are well-documented in literature. Hypomagnesaemia is well-known to cause functional hypoparathyroidism. We describe a patient who had transient profound hypoparathyroidism which improved on discontinuing PPI and normalising severe hypomagnesaemia.A 72-year-old male, who was on oral anti-diabetic medications, calcium/vitamin D3 supplements and PPI, presented wit...

Autoimmune encephalitides are being increasingly recognised as important and potentially reversible non-infectious causes of the encephalitic syndrome. Myriad of clinical presentation and lack of symptom specificity leads to a wide differential diagnosis. Failure to diagnose the correct aetiology of an encephalitic syndrome can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. A 57 years old right handed female with no significant medical problems initially presented with left side...

Since the advent of effective combined antiretroviral therapy (ART), mortality due to HIV disease has significantly declined. Changing trends in HIV-associated morbidity is surfacing, firstly due to the effect of HIV on virtually every human organ system and secondly due to improved life expectancy and consequent development of natural co-morbid illnesses. HIV associated endocrinopathies and metabolic diseases pose a significant disease burden in these patients. We discuss thr...

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), previously known as Wegener’s granulomatosis, is a rare heterogeneous vasculitic disease characterised by necrotising granulomatous inflammation typically affecting lungs and kidneys. GPA affecting pituitary is rare and usually results in posterior pituitary involvement causing diabetes insipidus. We describe a case of GPA, presenting with pituitary involvement causing headaches and anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies.<p cla...

Background: Mullerian agenesis or Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a congenital failure of the Mullerian duct to develop, resulting in complete or partial absence of the cervix, uterus, and vagina. It can be isolated (MRKH type I) or associated with renal, vertebral, and, to a lesser extent, auditory and cardiac defects (MRKH type II). Pituitary disease is not a known association. We report a patient who has isolated MRKH syndrome (MRKH type I) and a pituitary...

GH levels decline with age and weight gain and are enhanced in response to nutrient deprivation. Under these circumstances, GH levels are negatively correlated with IGF1 and insulin levels. Since IGF1 and insulin can directly inhibit GH synthesis and release from primary pituitary cells of different species, it is commonly accepted that changes in circulating IGF1 and insulin serve to directly regulate somatotrope function in response to metabolic extremes. However, teasing ap...

Background and aims: Periodontal disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory condition where the key feature is the alveolar bone loss. Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor in the occurrence of PD and vitamin D has been found to play a role in the development of diseases such as PD for its immunomoduratory and anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between PD and vitamin D levels in type 1 diabetic patients.S...