Endocrine Abstracts

Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of preventable mental impairment worldwide. Recent evidence suggests the re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the UK. A recent multicentre survey in the UK reported that 68% of school girls were iodine deficient with the lowest levels seen in Northern Ireland (NI). Unlike many countries, the UK does not have a salt or food iodination program. World Health Organisation defines deficiency as follows: mild 50–99 μg/l; mode...

Adequate iodine intake during pregnancy is required for the production of thyroid hormones and brain development in the foetus. Recent evidence has suggested re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the UK but there are few studies that have specifically looked at iodine intake in pregnant women. Current World Health Organisation recommendation is for 250 mcg/day intake of iodine in pregnancy and the following are good sources of dietary iodine: 1 pint milk (~140–220 mcg...

Adequate iodine intake during pregnancy is required for the production of thyroid hormones and brain development in the foetus. Recent evidence has suggested re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the UK but there are few studies that have specifically looked at iodine intake in pregnant women. Current World Health Organisation recommendation is for 250 μg per day intake of iodine in pregnancy and the following are good sources of dietary iodine: 1 pint milk (~140&#150...

Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of preventable mental impairment worldwide. Recent evidence suggests the re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the UK possibly due to changing farming practice. A recent multicentre survey in the UK reported that 68% of school girls were iodine deficient with the lowest levels seen in Northern Ireland (NI). Unlike many countries, the UK does not have a salt or food iodination programme. A cross-sectional survey of 264 schoolgirls,...

Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent used in the treatment of malignant and autoimmune diseases. Severe hyponatraemia is a serious electrolyte disorder with life threatening neurological sequelae. We report a case of recurrent severe, symptomatic hyponatraemia that developed in a 61 year old female with systemic vasculitis and Sjogrens syndrome following low-dose cyclophosphamide.Case report: A 61 year old lady, with ANA positive systemic vasculitis p...

A 39-year-old female presented with an 18-month history of borderline hypertension, headaches, palpitations and some anxiety symptoms. Both parents also had hypertension. Blood pressure was 160/102 on no medications. She had a large single cafe au lait spot but no neurofibromata. Urinary dopamine levels were repeatedly elevated (5398–8653 nmol/24 h (n<3900)) with normal noradrenaline and adrenaline levels. Serum calcium was also elevated at 2.83 mmol/l (n...

Cyclical Cushing’s syndrome is typically detected by collecting sequential daily early morning urine (EMU) samples for cortisol to creatinine ratio over a 28 day period. More recently nocturnal salivary cortisol (NSC) measurement has been shown to be a sensitive means of screening for Cushing’s syndrome. The Endocrine Society have suggested that NSC may be used to assess patients for cyclical Cushing’s however there is limited evidence that it correlates with th...

Aberrant and upregulated eutopic receptors have been identified in vitro in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). We previously identified an exaggerated aldosterone response to synacthen in patients with PA versus healthy controls. In this study we aimed to evaluate whether the synacthen test differentiates between patients with PA and essential hypertension (EH).The 250mcg intramuscular synacthen test was performed after 30 minutes recumbenc...

There is limited evidence on the effect of potassium (K+) supplementation on endothelial function. Three studies suggest a beneficial effect in healthy volunteers and mild hypertensives. However potassium increases aldosterone due to a direct effect on the adrenal gland and there is evidence that aldosterone excess is detrimental to cardiovascular health. We therefore aimed to determine the effect of potassium supplementation on endothelial function in patients with >10% c...

There is limited evidence on the effect of potassium (K+) supplementation on endothelial function. Three studies suggest a beneficial effect in healthy volunteers and mild hypertensives. However potassium increases aldosterone due to a direct effect on the adrenal gland and there is evidence that aldosterone excess is detrimental to cardiovascular health. We therefore aimed to determine the effect of potassium supplementation on endothelial function in patients with...