Endocrine Abstracts

The gut microbiota are becoming increasingly recognised as key players in human health. As such strategies used to alter this microbial community hold the potential to impact on wellbeing. During the ageing process the gut microbiota undergoes changes, these changes are linked with low grade inflammation, sometimes termed inflammageing. Prebiotics and probiotics are two dietary methods used to positively alter our microbial communities. This talk, using in vitro and <...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine condition affecting women and is associated with hyperinsulinaemia and hyperandrogenism. Obesity is present in at least 30% of cases and plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of PCOS as well as affecting the severity of the clinical and endocrine features. Significant improvements in symptoms of androgen excess and ovulatory function are seen with even a modest weight loss of 5% in women with PCOS. M...

A 34-year old lady with a history of Crohn’s colitis and depression presented to the Emergency Department (ED) reporting an allergic reaction to azathioprine. She complained of mild headache, anxiety and nausea but denied wheeze, shortness of breath, tongue swelling or rash. Her medications were prednisolone, predfoam enemas, escitalopram, combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and azathioprine, commenced one month ago. She denied alcohol or recreational drug consumption....

Calcium and Vitamin D deficiency is a common cause of falls and fracture and supplementation with 1 g of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D is commonly recommended.However, the serum level of 25 OHD that defines deficiency is controversial, and the 25 OHD level required to normalise serum parathyroid hormone (PTH)-in the presence of normal calcium- is often used. In this study we set out to explore how effective is 1 g of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D in ...

BackgroundSerum testosterone remains the most important investigation in the diagnosis of androgen deficiency in men. Most of the circulating testosterone is bound to albumin and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), whereas free testosterone accounts for approximately 2% of total testosterone. Because direct measurement of free testosterone is impractical in routine practice, several equations have been used to provide clinically useful estimates of free...

Introduction: Trans-sphenoidal Surgery (TSS) remains the primary treatment for acromegaly in most patients, but no previous data exist on outcomes for patients treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (STRS) as a primary treatment.Methods: 20 patients with acromegaly underwent primary STRS at the National Centre for Radiosurgery, Sheffield, UK between 1985 and 2015. Data collection: note review, database, laboratory results, patient questionnaire, and death...

Introduction: Utilization rates of fertility preservation among transgender adolescents (TA) are low. Few studies have addressed the reproductive desires of this population. The aim of this study was to assess TA parenthood goals, attitudes about fertility preservation (FP) and perceived barriers to successful gamete banking.Methods: Transgender adolescents who attended the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS - endocrine clinic) between March and J...

Background: Male adolescents with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) or delayed puberty start pubertal induction from 12–14 years. Testosterone obtains secondarysexual characteristics and improves psychosocial well being. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) or recombinant FSH (rFSH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) generate testicular growth (fertility) and testicular testosterone production. HCG-rFSH treatment increase testis size and improves the quality of life...

Background: Fertility preservation (FP) amongst transgender adolescents (TA) is receiving more attention as individuals are transitioning at younger ages. Parents have a key role at exploring options for their children and are usually the ones responsible for consenting to interventions. Our aim was to explore parent’s attitudes regarding their offspring parenthood goals, FP counselling and perceived barriers to successful gamete banking.Methods: Pa...

A 29-year-old woman with polycystic ovary syndrome was diagnosed with acromegaly having presented with a two year history of secondary amenorrhea, a change in physical appearance and sweating. The diagnosis was confirmed with an oral glucose tolerance test that also demonstrated she had impaired glucose tolerance. Radiological imaging demonstrated a 2.2 cm pituitary tumor that was compressing the optic chiasm and a bi-temporal visual field defect was confirmed on Goldman field...