Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Fat distribution is an important secondary sex characteristic, which is generally peripherally or pear-shaped (gynoid) in females and centrally or apple-shaped (android) in males. Total body fat increases in male-to-females (MtFs) and decreases in female-to-males (FtMs) during cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT), approaching body fat amounts of the desired sex. However, changes in android or gynoid fat distribution might be a better measure for masculinization and f...

Background: Obese young people are likely to suffer significant morbidity in adult life. Successful intervention during adolescence may have far-reaching benefits. Evidence is emerging that patient-responsive clinical services may deliver improved outcomes.Aims: To assess the perceptions of obese young people about weight and weight-management services.Method: Annonymised, postal questionnaire survey of 116 obese young people (9&#1...

Background: Cross-sex hormone treatments are used to masculinize or feminize the bodies of female-to-male (FtM) or male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals, respectively. Redistribution of fat mass is expected to occur during the first 1–6 months in transgender males and in the first 3–12 months in transgender females.Objective: To examine the effects of cross-gender sex hormone therapy (CHT) on body composition in transsexual men and women.<p cla...

Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic condition causing morbidity and mortality globally, with a growing economic burden on healthcare systems. In the UK, 1 in 14 people have diabetes, with type 2 accounting for 90% of cases (1). Complications from poorly controlled diabetes are associated with increased socioeconomic costs and a reduced quality of life. Research has shown education and self-management are crucial in helping diabetic patients achieve metabolic control (1). Smart...

Purpose: Hypothyroidism has been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in some studies. This study aimed to characterize thyroid related genetic variants that may change susceptibility to AF in patients on thyroid hormone replacement therapy (levothyroxine).Methods: A case-control study was done among patients of European Caucasian ethnicity from the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research Tayside (GoDARTS) recruited in Tayside (Scotland...

Purpose: Hypothyroidism has been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in some studies. This study aimed to characterize thyroid related genetic variants that may change susceptibility to AF in patients on thyroid hormone replacement therapy (levothyroxine).Methods: A case-control study was done among patients of European Caucasian ethnicity from the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research Tayside (GoDARTS) recruited in Tayside (Scotland...

Introduction: Hirsutism affects 10% of the female population caused by hyperandrogenism of benign aetiologies or androgen-secreting tumours. Tumorous causes of hyperandrogenism include androgen producing ovarian or adrenal tumours. Leydig cell tumours are rare ovarian testosterone producing tumours that comprise 0.1% of total ovarian tumours. It is rare in postmenopausal women and present with features of hyperandrogenaemia or hyperestrogenemia.Case: We ...

Background: Obesity is a public health problem, associated with several non-communicable diseases, lower psychosocial well-being and elevated risk of death. Managing obesity with Orlistat (a lipase inhibitor) has shown gastrointestinal side effects. Seaweed and its extract alginate, have shown lipase inhibition, which could help with weight loss. Therefore, adding alginate or seaweed into a cheese could decrease dietary lipids digestion and absorption and therefore reducing bo...

Thyroid cancer if associated with bony metastases carries a poorer prognosis. Intensive multimodality treatment is usually necessary in management of these patients.Case: A 51-year-old female presented with hoarse voice in October 2005. Examination revealed a 3 cm left sided thyroid nodule and left vocal cord palsy. CT neck/thorax showed a multinodular goitre, with a dominant left nodule. FNA showed appearances suggestive of a follicular neoplasm. She un...

Cellular 24-hour rhythms depend on transcriptional programs controlled by a set of circadian clock genes/proteins. Systemic factors like humoral and neuronal signals, oscillations in body temperature, and food intake align physiological circadian rhythms with external time. Thyroid hormones (THs) are major regulators of circadian clock target processes such as energy metabolism, but little is known about how fluctuations in TH levels affect the circadian coordination of tissue...