Endocrine Abstracts

Pituitary adenomas are benign tumours, which do not involve mutations in tumour suppressor genes or oncogenes. We have shown that the canonical Raf/MAPK and PI(3)K/Akt pathways are over-activated in these tumours, but their downstream effectors are modified to a much lesser extent. It is probable that the oncogenic mutations responsible for the initiation of these tumours therefore lies proximal to the convergence of these pathways, at or even upstream to the growth factor rec...

Objective: To investigate the relationship of thyroid hormones and insulin secretions in glucose homeostasis in impaired glucose tolerant and type 2 diabetic subjects, with normal thyroid functions.Methods: Retrospective cross sectional analysis was carried out on (n=266) impaired glucose tolerant, type 2 diabetics and normal glucose tolerant subjects. Thyrotropin (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxin (TT4) and ...

Introduction: The involvement of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway is apparent different epithelial human cancers. Wnt stabilizes ß-catenin (free ß-catenin) by preventing its phosphorylation which targets ß-catenin for degradation. Free ß-catenin is translocated to the nucleus where it stimulates a number of genes that modulate proliferation and differentiation upon binding to TCF/LEF-1. We have previously shown that Wnt/ß-catenin pathway is dysregulated ...

Background: Hyponatraemia is one of most common electrolyte abnormalities in acutely ill elderly patients. Severe hypothyroidism is often associated with hyponatraemia. The mechanism of hyponatraemia in hypothyroidism is not fully understood. It is suggested that hypothyroidism induces hyponatraemia either by inappropriate release of ADH or by decrease in GFR. Regardless of the mechanism, the net effect is impairment of water excretion. We report a case of severe hypothyroidis...

Background: Many Endocrinologists believe that preoperative localisation/lateralization in patients undergoing initial neck exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism is unimportant because of high cure rate in the hands of experienced surgeons. Tcm-MIBI imaging has a sensitivity of 70 to 95% in localizing parathyroid tumors. Ultrasonography has lower sensitivity but is noninvasive and relatively cheap. Unilateral surgical exploration has potential benefits including reduced ...

An asymptomatic 66-year-old man was referred for investigation of chronic hypernatraemia. Plasma sodium varied between 146–152 mmol/l and potassium was normal over several years. There was no relevant past, family or drug history. There were no symptoms or signs of hypercotisolism or other endocrinopathy either. Clinical examination was normal.Initial investigations were as follows – sodium 149 mmol/l, potassium 4.3 mmol/l, urea 7.9 mmol/l, cre...

Hyperthyroidism has a profound effect on the cardiovascular system. Heart failure is common in the elderly patients with hyperthyroidism who have co-existing cardiac disease.We report a case of severe heart failure in a 43-year-old woman with Graves' disease. She presented with cough and breathlessness for 3 weeks. There was a strong family history of thyroid disease. On presentation, she had florid hyperthyroidism with features of Graves' disease. Exam...

IntroductionParathyroid carcinoma is a very rare phenomenon with an estimated prevalence of 0.005% of all cancers. There have been fewer than ten cases of parathyroid carcinoma in pregnancy previously reported in literature. Clinical features are similar to primary hyperparathyroidism and the diagnosis is usually made on surgery or histology. We present a unique case of parathyroid carcinoma in pregnancy where ventricular bigeminy was the presenting feat...

We report a 77 year old male who presented to the respiratory clinic with episodes of periodic sweating. These episodes were associated nausea. They came on with exercise and always occurred before meals. The resolving factor noted by the patient was food intake and no features suggestive of reactive hypoglycaemia were noted. His past medical history was significant for hypertension, mild bronchiectasis, mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea requiring CPAP therapy and ische...

BackgroundPituitary gonadotroph adenomas are common but very rarely do they secrete biologically active luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). There have been case studies reporting high sex hormones (testosterone/estrogen) in the presence of high or normal LH and FSH.Case presentationHere we report two cases who presented with visual disturbance and headache at a tertiary care hospi...