Endocrine Abstracts

Dietary fat intake is an important source of energy and in excess can drive the development of obesity. Investigating how dietary fat intake alters neuronal activity in the brain and drives behavioural changes may help us understand the mechanisms behind high fat diet induced obesity. 2-oleoyglycerol (2-OG) is a naturally occurring unsaturated long chain fatty acid produced by fat digestion in the gut and a ligand of G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119). Published data has ...

Background: T2DM has been described as a complex mix bag of insulin resistance and β-cell defects in varying proportions. Several works have described in quantitative terms insulin resistance among diabetics and its relationship with proteinuria, the relative contribution of β- cell dysfunction have largely been extrapolated. This work is an attempt to provide the missing link in our clime.Objectives: The study aims to describe, in quantitative...

Case History: 17 year old boy presented with a six week history of polyuria, polydipsia, headaches and easy fatiguability. Further investigations confirmed hypopituitarism with low early morning urine osmolality. MRI brain revealed soft tissue mass arising from tectal plate extending into cerebral aqueduct resulting in hydrocephalus with normal pituitary gland. Hydrocortisone, Levothyroxine and Desmopressin were started and urgent in-patient transfer to Neurosurgical unit in t...

Introduction: NETs are regarded as rare endocrine malignancies, which often present late. The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected this and patient care. The impact will have been felt in health service delivery and patient experiences. To understand NET patient perspectives and optimise care, we conducted a survey to review patient perception of: telemedicine-based care, delays to imaging, treatment, and the impact of COVID-19.Method: 70 NET patients tre...

Introduction: The term “pituitary apoplexy” (PA) describes the appearance of abrupt hemorrhage and/or ischaemia of the constituents of sella turcica, usually in a pre-existing pituitary tumor. The presentation of this syndrome may be acute or subclinical.Objective: This study aims to assess clinical, imaging and hormonal features and the outcomes following surgery or conservative treatment among pituitary adenoma patients presenting with PA.</p...

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the delivery of health services. Here we review the patient perspective, on rapid changes in treatment delivery of testosterone preparations instituted in the first wave of the pandemic.Methods: 49 hypogonadal male patients were identified as attenders to the Endocrine unit for Nebido™ injection. They were temporarily switched to testosterone gel to rapidly comply with COVID rules. 8 weeks...

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a self-limited inflammatory condition of the thyroid characterised by a clinical course of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and then return to normal thyroid function. The inflammation is thought to be triggered by a viral infection and is usually treated with anti-inflammatory medications and steroids. Recurrences can uncommonly occur and could be difficult to manage. There are some promising reports of the role of Colchicine in managing recurren...

Presentation: A 32-year-old woman was brought to the Emergency Department following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. CPR was started by a neighbour and on arrival, she was found to be in ventricular fibrillation (VF). She received 4 DC-shocks and reverted to atrial fibrillation with fast ventricular rate and staged a full cognitive and haemodynamic recovery. She had a 10-year history of Graves’ thyrotoxicosis for which she was on Carbimazole but remained uncontrolled du...

Introduction: Levothyroxine is the first choice treatment for patients with hypothyroidism However, some people would continue to have symptoms of thyroid disease despite biochemical control on levothyroxine. Others might be intolerant to levothyroxine.Aim: The aim of this audit is to evaluate UHL endocrinology practice against local and national guidelines with regards to prescribing and monitoring of liothyronine treatment in 2019.<p class="abstext...

Case history: A 35-year-old female was found to be significantly hypertensive (181/91 mmHg) following a first trimester miscarriage (at 8 weeks gestation) during her first pregnancy.Investigations: Blood tests demonstrated moderate hypokalaemia (2.6 mmol/l) with a normal serum sodium (140 mmol/l) and eGFR (>90 ml/min). ECG showed hypokalaemic changes with prolongation of the PR interval and T wave flattening. To avoid potential misinterpretation, add...