Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) is a rare condition, accounting for approximately 10% of all Cushing’s syndrome (CS). We assessed the experience managing this condition in our centre.Methods: 171 patients (105 female, 66 male) with elevated plasma ACTH concentrations were identified from local IT systems at a tertiary centre (University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust) between 2002 and 2015. An electron...

There is concern about rapid reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and early rebound vertebral fractures following discontinuation of denosumab. Our aim was to review local experience of discontinuation of denosumab, changes in BMD and fractures in patients with osteoporosis.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who discontinued denosumab between March 2011 & June 2016. Denosumab withdrawal(DW) was defi...

Androgen excess in women is most commonly caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but sinister ovarian and adrenal pathology requiring immediate action needs to be excluded. Here we examined whether the severity of androgen excess indicates the likely underlying pathology in women evaluated for androgen excess.We included all women undergoing assessment of serum DHEAS, androstenedione (D4) and testosterone (T) by liquid chromatogra...

A 37 year-old gentleman presented following an episode of dizziness while at work operating a fork-lift truck. There was no collapse or associated symptoms. He had been diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism two months previously; commenced levothyroxine, currently at a dose of 75 micrograms daily; and lost ten kilograms in weight. On examination there were no signs of hypoadrenalism aside from a significant postural drop in blood pressure (lying 1...

Introduction: Ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) is a rare condition, accounting for approximately 10% of all Cushing’s syndrome (CS). We assessed the experience managing this condition in our centre.Methods: 171 patients (105 female, 66 male) with elevated plasma ACTH concentrations were identified from local IT systems at a tertiary centre (University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust) between 2002 and 2015. An electron...

There is concern about rapid reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and early rebound vertebral fractures following discontinuation of denosumab. Our aim was to review local experience of discontinuation of denosumab, changes in BMD and fractures in patients with osteoporosis.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who discontinued denosumab between March 2011 & June 2016. Denosumab withdrawal(DW) was defi...

Androgen excess in women is most commonly caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but sinister ovarian and adrenal pathology requiring immediate action needs to be excluded. Here we examined whether the severity of androgen excess indicates the likely underlying pathology in women evaluated for androgen excess.We included all women undergoing assessment of serum DHEAS, androstenedione (D4) and testosterone (T) by liquid chromatogra...

A 37 year-old gentleman presented following an episode of dizziness while at work operating a fork-lift truck. There was no collapse or associated symptoms. He had been diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism two months previously; commenced levothyroxine, currently at a dose of 75 micrograms daily; and lost ten kilograms in weight. On examination there were no signs of hypoadrenalism aside from a significant postural drop in blood pressure (lying 1...

Objectives: Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and is a target for autoimmune responses in autoimmune thyroid disease. TPO autoantibody (TPOAb) binding epitopes have been mapped on the peroxidase domain (POD) and the complement control protein like domain (CCP). This study aimed to solve the molecular structures of TPO bound to TPO antibodies.Methods: An extracellular domain (ECD) of human TPO (amino acids; aa 1...

Objectives: TSH receptor (TSHR) autoantibodies (TRAb) which mimic the actions of TSH are responsible for hyperthyroidism in Graves’ disease (GD) which is often associated with Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). K1-70 is a TSHR specific human monoclonal autoantibody which binds to the TSHR with high affinity and prevents stimulation of the TSHR by TSH and TRAb. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, pharmocodynamic and immunogenic effects of K1-70 in patients with GD were asse...