Endocrine Abstracts

Aldosterone is a steroidal hormone that specifically binds to the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Production and secretion of aldosterone is triggered by changes in blood pressure (BP). Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an important cause of secondary hypertension. The effects of aldosterone have been described in renal and vascular tissue but recent studies have shown that MR is also expressed in non- epithelial cells such as those of the immune system. A 29-year-old Afro-Carrib...

Primary Amenorrhoea is usually the result of a genetic or anatomical abnormality. Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is an uncommon cause in which individuals with a 46XY male karyotype are resistant to testosterone due to a defect of the androgen receptor.A 16-year-old female of non-consanguineous parents presented with primary amenorrhoea. There was no family history of delayed puberty. She was of normal female appearance (height 5′9″, B...

Case history: A 35-year-old female was found to be significantly hypertensive (181/91 mmHg) following a first trimester miscarriage (at 8 weeks gestation) during her first pregnancy.Investigations: Blood tests demonstrated moderate hypokalaemia (2.6 mmol/l) with a normal serum sodium (140 mmol/l) and eGFR (>90 ml/min). ECG showed hypokalaemic changes with prolongation of the PR interval and T wave flattening. To avoid potential misinterpretation, add...

Hypoparathyroidism following parathyroidectomy is commonly treated with activated vitamin D, (alfacalcidol and calcitriol). Alfacalcidol (1-hydroxyvitamin D) is converted by hepatic 25-hydroxylase to generate calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) to act on target cells.We present the case of 66 year old man who was admitted with chest pain in November 2016 and found to have corrected calcium of 1.5 mmol/litre and PO4 2.7 mmol/litre....

Hypoparathyroidism following parathyroidectomy is commonly treated with activated vitamin D, (alfacalcidol and calcitriol). Alfacalcidol (1-hydroxyvitamin D) is converted by hepatic 25-hydroxylase to generate calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) to act on target cells.We present the case of 66 year old man who was admitted with chest pain in November 2016 and found to have corrected calcium of 1.5 mmol/litre and PO4 2.7 mmol/litre....

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterised by maternal pruritus and raised serum bile acids, and is associated with adverse fetal outcomes (e.g. preterm birth, neonatal unit admission and stillbirth). Maternal metabolic impacts include higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. Glucose and lipid metabolism are influenced by gut incretin release, and bile acids are ...

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterised by maternal pruritus and raised serum bile acids, and is associated with adverse fetal outcomes (e.g. preterm birth, neonatal unit admission and stillbirth). Maternal metabolic impacts include higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. Glucose and lipid metabolism are influenced by gut incretin release, and bile acids are ...

Serum concentrations of progesterone sulphates are raised in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), the commonest pregnancy-specific liver disease. Women with ICP have increased rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We hypothesised that raised progesterone sulphates may modulate glucose homeostasis. Progesterone sulphates were assayed in serum samples from participants of the hyperglycaemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes (HAPO) study (n=79–94), and ...