Endocrine Abstracts

The food addiction (FA) construct has become a topic of great interest in the scientific community; however, its diagnostic, clinical and potential therapeutic implications remain unresolved. Although there is not enough evidence to confirm its diagnostic utility, given that some of the findings obtained in preclinical research associating the addictive capacity of certain palatable foods have not yet been replicated in humans, there are signs of neurobiologic...

Levels of TSH respond to fluctuations in serum free T(4) (fT(4)) and remain in a very narrow individual range. There exists current controversy regarding the upper limit of normal serum TSH values above which treatment should be indicated. In a cohort of healthy men from the general population, both serum TSH and fT(4).TSH product were positively associated with fasting and postload insulin concentration and negatively with insulin sensitivity.It was concluded that thyroid fun...

Communication between microbiota and the host is critical to sustaining the vital functions of the healthy host, and disruptions of this homeostatic coexistence are associated with a range of diseases including obesity and T2D. Microbiota-derived metabolites act both as nutrients and as messenger molecules to shape host pathophysiology. Succinate, which has the distinction of being produced by both the host and microbiota, is quickly becoming a poster child for these metabolit...

Background: Adipocytes and macrophages resident in adipose tissue produce and secrete a variety of biologically active mediators (adipokines) that contribute to the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Malfunction of adipocytes may play an important role in the development of low-grade inflammatory state associated with obesity.Objectives: Describe alternative ways to adipokines with potential impact on ...

Case history: 73-year-old male was seen in breast clinic for right breast lump which was noted 6 weeks back with no nipple discharge. Mammogram and ultrasound confirmed bilateral gynaecomastia more on right side. Referred to endocrine clinic with abnormal hormone profile. He is a retired builder. He was a heavy smoker for 50 years and has stopped smoking 1 year back. He drinks socially and has never used illicit drugs. His only past medical history was GORD for which he takes ...

Introduction: Cardiovascular manifestations of hypocalcaemia include reversible CHF, prolonged QTc and ventricular arrhythmias. In patients presenting with hypocalcaemia, diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism is straightforward, but determining its cause is challenging.Case Report: 33 year lady admitted (23 November 2018) with VF arrest. Bloods showed low calcium (1.62 mmol/l), magnesium (0.48 mmol/l) and potassium (2.3 mmol/l) and ECG showed prolonged QTc. PT...

Introduction: Thyroid Hormone Resistance (THR) is a rare disorder caused by mutations of Thyroid Hormone Receptor characterised by insensitivity of target tissues to thyroid hormone actions. Patients can present with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism symptoms.Case report: 49 year lady with recurrent thyrotoxicosis with goitre (1989/1994/1998) treated elsewhere with CBZ/PTU and RAI (2001). She developed post-RAI hypothyroidism and at presentation to our O...

Introduction: Hypothyroid patients with failure to take/absorb oral levothyroxine might require intravenous levothyroxine. IV levothyroxine is neither licensed nor available in UK. It has to be imported (with special request), and is unexpectedly costly. IV liothyronine has shorter duration of action, need 2–3 injections/day, and exhibits sudden surges increasing risk of angina/arrhythmia. Moreover, IV liothyronine is much more expensive than IV levothyroxine.<p class...

Background: Metformin is one of the first line drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, even though there are still many gaps on how exactly metformin works. This is due to many years of research using various concentrations of metformin and also, not considering the conditional effect that glucose can have in its action.Objectives: Study the effect of different concentrations of metformin and glucose in cell culture.Methods: ...

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complication of Diabetes Mellitus and is a life-threatening medical emergency usually requiring admission to an intensive care unit. There is no established guideline regarding timing of initiation of oral/enteral feeding in DKA patients.Purpose: To determine if there is a difference in clinical outcomes for DKA patients whose oral/enteral feeding was started early vs patients whose feeding was started beyond ...