Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Short Synacthen Tests (SSTs) are integral to the diagnosis of Adrenal Insufficiency (AI). A 30-minute stimulated cortisol value is assessed against local assay dependent thresholds to ascertain or exclude the diagnosis. A diagnosis of AI is a life changing event requiring the initiation of life long glucocorticoid replacement therapy for survival. Glucocorticoid replacement is associated with long term morbidity and mortality, including an increased risk of diabete...

Background: Management of adrenal insufficiency (AI) with glucocorticoid replacement is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. There is growing evidence that this is because of excess, non-physiological steroid exposure. Low dose prednisolone (2-4 mg) is a once-daily alternative to standard hydrocortisone regimens that more closely mimics the circadian rhythm and may translate to better outcomes. There is however a paucity of studies comparing the two treatments.</...

Introduction: Iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome (ICS) can be caused by virtually all forms of steroid treatment with or without suppression of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Here we report betamethasone nasal drops used as treatment post septorhinoplasty as a cause of iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome.Case: A 36 years old female with background history of depression presented to endocrinology clinic for evaluation of progressive w...

Background: Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a life-threatening condition if left unmanaged. Despite treatment patients can expect a life expectancy that is shortened by 12 years secondary to probable inherent over-replacement associated with oral glucocorticoid regimens. Thrice-daily hydrocortisone is the most common regimen used. Very low-dose prednisolone (2-4 mg) is an alternative with lower uptake due to the absence of evidence for its use. This study fills this literature g...

Introduction: Thyrotroph pituitary hyperplasia in context of severe primary hypothyroidism is rare and usually occurs due to loss of thyroxine feedback inhibition and overproduction of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, leading to pituitary gland enlargement. Pituitary hyperplasia caused by primary hypothyroidism responds well to thyroid hormone replacement therapy and rarely requires surgical intervention. Case presentation: A 42-year-old female with backgr...

Background: Studies suggest that glucocorticoid hypersecretion alongside primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) is common and may contribute to the adverse metabolic phenotype. Adrenal crisis post-surgery for PA is rare.Aim: To determine the prevalence of cortisol co-secretion in PA in patients at Imperial College London NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital (a tertiary referral centre for adrenal tumours).Methods: Am...

Introduction: We offer patients needing glucocorticoid replacement in primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency the choice of either once daily prednisolone or thrice daily hydrocortisone. A recent European study found no difference between prednisolone and hydrocortisone users in several markers, including glucose, weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference, although they did suggest an increase in cholesterol and low densit...

Background: Studies suggest that glucocorticoid hypersecretion alongside primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) is common and may contribute to the adverse metabolic phenotype. Adrenal crisis post-surgery for PA is rare.Aim: To determine the prevalence of cortisol co-secretion in PA in patients at Imperial College London NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital (a tertiary referral centre for adrenal tumours).Methods: Am...

Introduction: We offer patients needing glucocorticoid replacement in primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency the choice of either once daily prednisolone or thrice daily hydrocortisone. A recent European study found no difference between prednisolone and hydrocortisone users in several markers, including glucose, weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference, although they did suggest an increase in cholesterol and low densit...

Introduction: Glucocorticoid replacement in adrenal insufficiency may be achieved by administering thrice- daily hydrocortisone or once-daily very low dose (2-4 mg) prednisolone. Prednisolone’s longer half-life enables once-daily dosing, improving patient satisfaction and compliance. At very low doses, it has shown no difference in most markers of metabolic risk when compared with hydrocortisone. At Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (ICHNT), use of an eight-hour troug...