Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by tumours of the parathyroids, pancreas and pituitary. Recent consensus guidelines have recommended screening of MEN1 gene mutations in patients who have at least two of the parathyroid hyperplasia, pancreatic endocrine tumour or pituitary adenoma, or are suspicious of having MEN1 (multiple parathyroid tumours before age 30, recurrent hyperparathyroidism, gastrinoma or multiple isl...

ObjectiveThyroid replacement therapy needs careful titration, and recently there has been discussion regarding the bioavailability of different thyroxine preparations [1]We have taken the opportunity of comparing thyroid function in 18 females who were enrolled in a trial studying the effects of thyroxine therapy on subclinical hypothyroidism [SCH].MethodsThese patients (at entry to tri...

Background: Tumour growth is critically dependent on blood perfusion, its source of oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, tumour vascularization has become an attractive target for the treatment of many cancers types. The study of endocrine-responsive tumours, in particular, needs improved platforms to screen drugs targeting vascularization that have better resolution and that do not compromise on inter-individual variability.Aim: Hence, we’ve set out to...

Background: In the UK, NICE guidelines for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) recommend a greater than 50% reduction in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) as the therapeutic target. However, despite the availability of a range of lipid lowering medication, this target is often difficult to achieve and, more importantly, maintain life-long. Understanding factors that affect LDL-C target achievement is key to reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Currently, there...

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is driven by cumulative exposure to high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Previously, LDL-C burden has been loosely approximated using the cholesterol year score (CYS) based on two LDL-C readings only. We aimed to determine whether a more sophisticated LDL-C burden score based on serial LDL-C measurements, could more accurately predict major atherosclerotic cardiovascular ev...

Metformin is a first-line therapy for type-2 diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) which shows significant benefits for maternal health. However, offspring exposed to metformin in-utero have an increased risk of being born small for gestational age and developing cardiometabolic complications in adulthood. The mechanisms responsible are unknown. As fetal growth is dependent on optimal placental function, we assessed whether metformin exposure alter...

Background: Adrenal crisis is a potentially life-threatening situation which can affect any patient with adrenal insufficiency (AI). Patients with AI and healthcare professionals looking after them should know the sick day rules and when and how to use parenteral hydrocortisone. Patient stories and feedback from patients with AI indicated low standards locally. We therefore aimed to empower patients through education and provide them with a hydrocortisone emergency kit.<p ...

Background: GLP-1/glucagon dual agonists are being developed as treatments for obesity due to their combined effect of reducing food intake while increase energy expenditure. Though the effect of the dual agonist on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism is well studied, little is known about the effects on protein metabolism. This study aimed to examine the acute and chronic effects of the GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist on amino acid metabolism.Methods: The lon...

TSHoma is rare, with an incidence of 1 per million, and <1% of all pituitary tumours. We reported a case involving a 49-year-old female who was first referred to our endocrine unit in 2006 with excessive lethargy and abnormal TFT’s. She was thought to have thyroid hormone resistance for several years until 2015 when she reported having persistent symptoms and further investigation suggested an alternative diagnosis.Results: Ft4=41.6 pmol/l, TSH=...

Traditionally, oestradiol measurement is performed by immunoassay. The sensitivity of these assays is not sufficiently sensitive for certain patient groups such as males, post-menopausal females and children. There is also a potential for interference from structurally related compounds or heterophilic antibodies. LC–MS/MS is an attractive alternative as it has increased sensitivity and specificity.We reviewed the requests for LC–MS/MS analysis...