Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Insulinoma is a rare pancreatic endocrine tumor derived from ß cells that secret insulin, which results in hypoglycemia. Most are benign and solitary. The median age at diagnosis is about 47 years. The age range for peak incidence is between 30 and 60 years and it is more prevalent in women. Diagnosis relies on clinical features along with laboratory tests and imaging. However, the nonspecific symptoms and small size of these tumors can lead to difficulties ...

Sweating in the absence of any physiological precipitant can be extremely distressing and unpleasant. Primary hyperhydrosis, usually affecting the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and the axillae, usually presents in teenage years and is managed by dermatologists. Secondary hyperhydrosis usually develops later in life, is more generalised and may be associated with flushing. The differential diagnosis is very long and includes systemic illness (such as lymphoma and chroni...

SYNGR3 is involved in the re-uptake of dopamine (DA) into striatal pre-synaptic terminals. Here we elucidate the genetic control of human SYNGR3 gene (SYNGR3).Methods and Intermediate Results: Step 1 Potential cis-acting in 2kb upstream of the transcription initiation site (TIS) of SYNGR3 were investigated using the MatInspector algorithm. Three potential Nurr1 binding sites were identified. Step 2 PCR amplification (human DNA as templa...

A 64-year-old Sri Lankan female was admitted with a 1 week history of vomiting and poor oral intake. She had an episode of pneumonia 4 months previously and reported headaches, weight loss and dizziness since then.On admission, her blood tests showed marked hyponatraemia with a sodium of 118 mmol/l and low serum osmolality of 243 mOsm/kg. A short synacthen test confirmed adrenal insufficiency and thyroid function tests showed secondary hypothyroidism des...

Introduction: Treatment with dopamine agonists in patients with prolactinomas and Parkinson’s disease is associated with central side effects. Central side effects may depend on a substance’s ability to pass the blood-brain barrier which can be actively controlled by transporter molecules such as the P-glycoprotein encoded by the ABCB1 gene.Aim of the study: To determine whether cabergoline is transported by the P-glycoprotein and whether polym...

Context: The effects of cabergoline on cardiac valves have been extensively studied in Parkinson’s disease and hyperprolactinemia but not in acromegaly, a condition at risk of cardiac valve abnormalities.Objective: We examined the prevalence of heart valve disease and regurgitation in a series of patients with acromegaly treated with cabergoline, by comparison with matched patients who had never received this drug.Design and s...

Background: Dopamine agonists are first-line agents for the treatment of prolactinomas and sometimes are used in patients with acromegalia. There is evidence that these drugs, especially cabergoline, are associated with an increased risk of new cardiac valve regurgitation in patients treated for Parkinson’s disease.Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiac valve regurgitation in patients with prolactinomas and acromegalia tr...

A 74-year-old man was referred urgently for investigation of recurrent phaeochromocytoma.In 2006, he was referred to another hospital with nocturnal sweating and tremors. He was found to have a left sided phaeochromocytoma which was removed laparoscopically with uneventful follow up. Unfortunately no initial results or histology were available on referral to our department.Follow up in primary care had involved annual 24 h urinary ...

Aim: Over the last decade, cardiac valvular fibrosis has been associated with the use of high dose (ergot-derived) dopamine agonist therapy in Parkinson’s disease. Although the risk in endocrine patients appears significantly lower, routine echocardiographic monitoring is now recommended. This study evaluated the incidence of significant cardiac valvulopathy in endocrine patients treated with cabergoline in a District General Hospital Population, and compliance with MHRA ...

A 47-year-old afrocaribbean lady was referred to endocrinology clinic with a 1-month history of weight loss, heat intolerance, palpitations, fatigue and hair loss. She reported symptoms consistent with proximal myopathy including myalgia and difficulty rising from chairs. Interestingly she noted a 1-month history of hypersalivation, which had caused her significant distress in her social and work life. The hypersalivation had resulted in a change in her voice and had also inte...