Endocrine Abstracts

Context: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of classic androgen synthesis. Recent work has highlighted that impaired DHEA sulfation results in enhanced androgen production. Here, we evaluated the relationship between DHEA and DHEAS and androgen excess and metabolic phenotype in PCOS.Patients and methods: We compared 65 women with PCOS to 35 healthy women matched for age and body mass index (BMI). All subject...

Aim: The short Synacthen test (SST) is an established test used to assess the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. There remains debate whether a 30 minute or 60 minute cortisol sample has diagnostic superiority. Currently at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow all tests arranged by endocrinology are performed by endocrine nurse specialists who utilise a 0 and 30 minute cortisol protocol. Performing a further 60 minute sample requires more nursing time and space r...

Background: Bone stress injuries are typically overuse injuries associated with repetitive loading of bone and inadequate recovery. A continuum of bone stress injury from periosteal reaction to cortical fracture exists. Intrinsic and extrinsic recognised risk factors have been encapsulated within broader working consensus statements e.g. Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). There is uncertainty as to the appropriate metabolic work-up for such patients.<p class="abs...

Effective treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer relies on a multifaceted approach often including administration of 131I to ablate residual cancer cells post-surgery. The success of this treatment hinges upon adequate uptake of iodide by malignant thyroid follicular cells. In a subset of patients, dedifferentiation of the carcinoma can result in aberrant expression and trafficking of the iodide transport protein, the sodium iodide symporter (NIS), resulting in ...

A 63-year-old Caucasian female was admitted with a 12-month history of exertional breathlessness, anxiety attacks, syncopal episodes, diarrhoea, fatigue, reduced appetite, two stones weight loss, and dry facial and truncal flushing. Investigations revealed raised Urine 5-HIAA of 116 (RR <50 μmol/24 h) and raised Chromogranin A of 48 (RR <6 nmol/l). CT scan revealed an extensive soft tissue mass encasing the upper abdominal aorta, compressing the inferior vena cava...

Background: Dose adjustment for normal eating (DAFNE) structured education programme is an effective tool in improving glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes while reducing the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes. DAFNE however, does not solve all glucose related problems and patients often request or are recommended continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy post DAFNE.Objective: Out of our 370 DAFNE graduates, 46 have subsequent...

Background: There are very few studies comparing glycaemic control in patients with different basal rates on Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion therapy (CSII), so the ideal number of basal rates for a patient is not clear.Objective: To compare the glycaemic control between patients with different basal rates.Methods: Data were collected from hospital’s database and by contacting patients via phone....

The uterus is an androgen-responsive organ; androgen receptors (AR) are expressed in human endometrial stromal fibroblasts and can regulate proliferation and survival of this cell type. Although chronic androgen exposure results in atrophy of human endometrium, previous studies have suggested that it may have trophic effects in the rodent uterus. We hypothesised that androgens may have different impacts on endometrial function in the presence or absence of oestrogens. In the c...

ACTH signalling at the adrenal zona fasciculata induces rapid synthesis of glucocorticoids, accompanied by rapid transcription of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes, including the labile, rate-limiting protein, StAR protein. ACTH induction of StAR transcription has been demonstrated to be predominantly CREB-dependent, and this mechanism is regulated by both CREB phosphorylation and its binding to the CREB co-activator TORC (transducer of regulated CREB activity, also known a...

Although a complex metabolic pathway for vitamin D exists, serum measurement of inactive 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) continues to be the most common determinant of vitamin D ‘status’. However, several other metabolites contribute to the physiological role of vitamin D, notably the active form 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1α,25(OH)2D3), inactive 3-epi-25OHD3 and chiral 23R and 24R,25(OH)2D3 metabolites. Quantification of these additional metabolites could pro...