Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma (NFMA) can cause considerable morbidity due to pituitary dysfunction and pressure effects. We present recent experience in managing cases diagnosed with NFMA at a single tertiary centre between January 2009 and October 2013.Results: Of the 63 patients with NFMA, 28 (44%) were females. Age ranged from 22 to 91 (mean 63). Visual disturbance symptoms (35/63; 57%) were the commonest presentation. Headache ...

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...

Recently, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was stated to be the method of choice to measure sex steroids.1 Information on the mutual agreement of LC–MS/MS methods, however, is scarce. Therefore, we compared seven published LC–MS/MS methods for the simultaneous measurement of testosterone, androstenedione, and DHEA. Fifty-five random serum samples obtained from volunteers were analysed in duplicate by seven published LC&#1...

Introduction: No consensus guidelines currently exist as to the optimal glucocorticoid regimen in adrenal insufficiency (AI). In clinical practice physicians utilise a number of different glucocorticoids, usually administered in several doses throughout the day.Methods: The EU-AIR registry is a European multinational, multicentre, prospective, observational study sponsored by Shire inclusive of all patients with AI irrespective of aetiology. We analysed ...

Introduction: Hypoglycaemic episodes (Hypos) can happen at any time in type 1 diabetes patients; sometimes quite unpredictably. Carrying ‘hypo supplies’ at all times is basic to good diabetes care; often delegated to parents for children with diabetes. The primary aim was to assess how this basic care activity is practised in real life; secondary aim was to correlate lack of hypo supplies with diabetes control or other patient characteristics.M...

Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic agent licensed for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid carcinoma. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) patients may benefit considerably from cinacalcet. Affected patients have hyperplasia of multiple parathyroid glands, rather than a single resectable adenoma. Surgical cure requires removal of all parathyroid tissue, which is often unsuccessful, resulting in multiple neck explorations and hypoparathyroidism. Cinaca...

Dynamic pituitary testing is a time consuming and high cost investigation. For effective use of this procedure a close audit of the effectiveness and outcome of testing is required. At UCH we have developed a streamlined nurse led service with medical supervision and we now present an audit of 1 year of testing.Forty-one patients underwent pituitary function testing for growth hormone (GH) and ACTH during 2006. Referral source was from the endocrine team...

Some extra-thyroid effects of TSH have been described in vitro and in vivo. TSH has recently been suggested to induce IL-6 secretion from adipocytes. Leptin is the main secretory protein from adipose tissue. Our aim was to evaluate the acute effect of rhTSH-induced TSH surge on serum leptin levels in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients. Ten patients (2 m, 8 f; age range 31–66 years) with stage 1-3 DTC were evaluated during scheduled standard rhTS...

The purpose of this study was to explore the use of testosterone treatment and patients’ knowledge in male hypogonadism. A questionnaire was sent to all 213 patients on testosterone replacement therapy recorded in our clinic database, with a response rate of 35.7% (n=76). Respondents’ age ranged from 19 to 87 years (mean=44.5; S.D.=16.2). Causes of hypogonadism for this group are presented in Table 1.<table boarder="1" cellpadding="3" cellsp...

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA) treatment is either pharmacological with aldosterone receptor antagonists (MRAs) or surgical with the resection of the responsible adenoma. The efficacy of MRAs treatment is based on the normalization of blood pressure (BP) in relation to potassium levels. However, it remains unclear whether the stimulation of renin levels during treatment could serve as an additional marker of adequate MR blockade.Aim: To investi...