Endocrine Abstracts

Reactive Hypoglycaemia (RH) is a controversial condition that has been popularised in the media and lay literature. A recent survey of randomly selected women in Nottinghamshire revealed that 37.8% experience symptoms that they attribute to a 'low blood sugar', with over 18% experiencing symptoms more than once a week (1). The aim of this study was to investigate whether a non-patient group who report symptoms synonymous with RH have concomitant hypoglycaemia.<p...

We present the case of an 18-year-old undergraduate student who originally presented to his GP in July 2005 with weight loss and lethargy. He was given a tentative diagnosis of ‘honeymoon’ phase Diabetes Mellitus Type 1. However, further tests ruled out Diabetes. At the end of 2005, he was referred to our Diabetologists with further concerns about weight loss, and a reported brief episode of loss of consciousness while vigorously cycling. When seen by the Diabetes co...

Saliva contains the free unbound fraction of testosterone, which has been shown to correlate with the free circulating serum testosterone, and may better reflect the physiologically active form. Recently, measurement of free testosterone has gained international recommendations for the diagnosis of hypogonadism in the ageing male. Saliva collection is a non-invasive technique, offering more flexibility to the patient, e.g. the collection of samples at home. Liquid chromatograp...

Aim: Acute bouts of exercise are known to have a beneficial effect on glucose homeostasis immediately following exercise in people with Type 2 Diabetes. Evidence suggests that this effect is independent of the effects of insulin. In this study we compare recently developed indices of insulin sensitivity derived from the oral glucose tolerance test to determine whether the improvements in glucose homeostasis following physical activity are independent of the effects of insulin....

Context: Glucocorticoids have adverse systemic effects which may predispose to cardiovascular disease. The effect of glucocorticoid use on cardiovascular disease has not been assessed.Objective: To test the hypothesis that users of exogenous glucocorticoids have a dose-dependent increased risk of cardiovascular disease; in particular, that supraphysiological doses will be associated with cardiovascular disease.Design: A cohort study using a record linkage database....

Steroid replacement is life-saving in patients with steroid axis deficiency; education surrounding steroid replacement is vital in their management.We organised ‘Steroid Replacement Education Days’ for patients and their family members/carers to help enhance their knowledge on steroids and intercurrent illness. Lectures detailed manifestations, causes, management of steroid deficiency and the practical issues surrounding steroid replacement. Th...

Testosterone, androstenedione and DHEAS are commonly measured by immunoassays. Variations in antibody specificity and calibration of assays results in non-commutability of measurements. Even more specific mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) assays still exhibit differences in calibration. As the use of mass spectrometry for measuring steroids is becoming more common in the clinical laboratory, the development of LC–MS/MS reference ranges for these analytes is essential to h...

Liquorice root has been used medicinally for many years to treat dry cough, asthma, hunger, thirst, sterility of women, fever, digestive problems and pathologies of organs such as lungs, stomach, intestines and kidney. Glycyrrhetinic acid (one of the active constituents in liquorice) has diverse in vitro effects as an inhibitor of 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD), 5α reductase and hormone receptor binding. The aim of this study is to investigate the ef...

Objective: To describe the mortality and vascular morbidity in patients after treatment for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.Method: We constructed an electronic database using record linkage of a community thyroid follow-up register, radioiodine database, regional biochemistry, regional prescribing database, hospital admissions and regional death certification. This was made possible by a unique patient identifier used locally for all healthcare episo...

IntroductionSomatostatin has antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic actions through 5 G-protein receptors (Sstr). In view of the anti-angiogenic effects of Sstrs their relationship to the distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was undertaken in non-malignant Reinke's Oedema of the larynx and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.MethodsSix Reinke's oedema (non malignant) and 1...