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Kuliczkowska-Płaksej J, Zdrojowy-Wełna A, Jawiarczyk-Przybyłowska A, Gojny Ł, Bolanowski M. Diagnosis and therapeutic approach to bone health in patients with hypopituitarism. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2024:10.1007/s11154-024-09878-w. [PMID: 38565758 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-024-09878-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The results of many studies in recent years indicate a significant impact of pituitary function on bone health. The proper function of the pituitary gland has a significant impact on the growth of the skeleton and the appearance of sexual dimorphism. It is also responsible for achieving peak bone mass, which protects against the development of osteoporosis and fractures later in life. It is also liable for the proper remodeling of the skeleton, which is a physiological mechanism managing the proper mechanical resistance of bones and the possibility of its regeneration after injuries. Pituitary diseases causing hypofunction and deficiency of tropic hormones, and thus deficiency of key hormones of effector organs, have a negative impact on the skeleton, resulting in reduced bone mass and susceptibility to pathological fractures. The early appearance of pituitary dysfunction, i.e. in the pre-pubertal period, is responsible for failure to achieve peak bone mass, and thus the risk of developing osteoporosis in later years. This argues for the need for a thorough assessment of patients with hypopituitarism, not only in terms of metabolic disorders, but also in terms of bone disorders. Early and properly performed treatment may prevent patients from developing the bone complications that are so common in this pathology. The aim of this review is to discuss the physiological, pathophysiological, and clinical insights of bone involvement in pituitary disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Kuliczkowska-Płaksej
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, Wrocław, 50-367, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Zdrojowy-Wełna
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, Wrocław, 50-367, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Jawiarczyk-Przybyłowska
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, Wrocław, 50-367, Poland.
| | - Łukasz Gojny
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, Wrocław, 50-367, Poland
| | - Marek Bolanowski
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, Wrocław, 50-367, Poland
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Abucham J, Martins M. Subclinical central hypothyroidism in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease: does it exist? Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2024:10.1007/s11154-024-09876-y. [PMID: 38324081 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-024-09876-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Central hypothyroidism (CH) is characterized by decreased thyroid hormone production due to insufficient stimulation of an otherwise normal thyroid gland by TSH. In patients with established hypothalamic-pituitary disease, a low FT4 concentration is considered highly specific, although poorly sensitive, for the diagnosis of CH. That would be comparable to diagnosing primary hypothyroidism in patients at risk only when serum FT4 concentrations are below the reference range, missing all patients with subclinical primary hypothyroidism and preventing proper therapy in patients in which thyroxine replacement is clearly beneficial. Cardiac time intervals, especially the isovolumic contraction time (ICT), have been considered the gold standard of peripheral thyroid hormone action. Using Doppler echocardiography, we have previously shown a very high proportion of prolonged ICT in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease and serum FT4 levels indistinguishable from controls. As ICT decreased/normalized after thyroxine-induced increases in FT4 concentrations within the normal reference range, prolonged ICT was considered a bona fide diagnostic biomarker of subclinical CH. Those findings challenge the usual interpretation that FT4 concentrations in the mid-reference range exclude hypothyroidism in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease. Rather, subclinical central hypothyroidism, a state analogous to subclinical primary hypothyroidism, seems to be frequent in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease and normal FT4 levels. They also challenge the notion that thyroid function is usually the least or the last affected in acquired hypopituitarism. The relevance of Doppler echocardiography to correctly diagnose and monitor replacement therapy in both clinical and subclinical forms of CH should improve quality of life and decrease cardiovascular risk, as already demonstrated in patients with clinical and subclinical primary hypothyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Abucham
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Endocrinology Division, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Manoel Martins
- Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará-UFC, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
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Du HZ, Chen K, Zhang LY, Zhang YL, Wu DN, Guo XY, Duan L, Wang LJ, Yang HB, Chen S, Pan H, Zhu HJ. Blood Lipid Disorders in Post-Operative Craniopharyngioma Children and Adolescents and the Improvement with Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Replacement. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2023; 16:3075-3084. [PMID: 37810571 PMCID: PMC10559785 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s425399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Context The high prevalence of hypothalamic obesity (HO) and dyslipidemia in individuals with craniopharyngioma (CP) following surgery is a cause for increasing concern. However, few studies have explored the lipid profile in pediatric CP patients, with inconsistent findings. In addition, the role of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) replacement remains unclear in these patients. Objective To compare the blood lipid profile among post-operative craniopharyngioma children and adolescents with that among healthy controls and to reveal the effects of rhGH replacement. Methods Data of 79 post-operative craniopharyngioma children and adolescents in our center were retrospectively collected. Sixty patients underwent rhGH replacement during the follow-ups. We selected 36 patients who received rhGH replacement therapy, while 20 patients received rhGH replacement for at least 1 year and had complete lipid data before and after treatment and compared them with 19 patients who did not receive rhGH replacement therapy. Results Craniopharyngioma patients had higher total cholesterol (TC) (5.17 vs 3.77 mmol/L), triglyceride (TG) (1.51 vs 0.73 mmol/L), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (3.14 vs 2.10 mmol/L), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (1.06 vs 1.39 mmol/L) than controls (all p < 0.001). The lipid profile of obese and non-obese patients was not significantly different. After rhGH replacement, TC was 0.90 mmol/L lower (p = 0.002) and LDL-C was 0.73 mmol/L lower (p = 0.010) than baseline. Although the baseline LDL-C was higher, patients with rhGH replacement had lower LDL-C (-0.73 mmol/L adjusted for age and sex, p = 0.045) after the initiation of replacement compared with patients without rhGH replacement. Conclusion The lipid profile of obese and non-obese children and adolescents with craniopharyngioma was unfavorable, and rhGH replacement could improve their lipid profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Ze Du
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li-Yuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue-Lun Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dan-Ning Wu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yuan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lian Duan
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin-Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong-Bo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Pan
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui-Juan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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DeSando SL, Sofronescu AG. Low Free T4 in a 13-Year-Old Girl with Short Stature and Blurry Vision. Clin Chem 2023; 69:1107-1111. [PMID: 37783662 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvad122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shayna L DeSando
- Department of Pathology, Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
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Christensen SE, Smith LN, Rosendal CAH, Gulisano HA, Ettrup KS, Vestergaard P, Nielsen EH, Karmisholt JS, Dal J. The TRH test provides valuable information in the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism in patients with known pituitary disease and low T4 levels. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1226887. [PMID: 37850100 PMCID: PMC10577283 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1226887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the value of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test in the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism (CH) in patients with pituitary disease. Methods Systematic evaluation of 359 TRH tests in patients with pituitary disease including measurements of thyroxine (T4), TBG-corrected T4 (T4corr), baseline TSH (TSH0) and relative or absolute TSH increase (TSHfold, TSHabsolute). Results Patients diagnosed with CH (n=39) show comparable TSH0 (p-value 0.824) but lower T4corr (p-value <0.001) and lower TSH increase (p-value <0.001) compared to patients without CH. In 54% (42 of 78 cases) of patients with low T4corr, the CH diagnosis was rejected based on a high TSHfold. In these cases, a spontaneous increase and mean normalization in T4corr (from 62 to 73 nmol/L, p-value <0.001) was observed during the follow-up period (7.6 ± 5.0 years). Three of the 42 patients (7%) were started on replacement therapy due to spontaneous deterioration of thyroid function after 2.8 years. Patients diagnosed with CH reported significantly more symptoms of hypothyroidism (p-value 0.005), although, symptoms were reported in most patients with pituitary disease. The TRH test did not provide clinical relevant information in patients with normal T4 or patients awaiting pituitary surgery (78%, 281 of 359). There were only mild and reversible adverse effects related to the TRH test except for possibly one case (0.3%) experiencing a pituitary apoplexy. Conclusion The TRH test could be reserved to patients with pituitary disease, low T4 levels without convincing signs of CH. Approximately 50% of patients with a slightly decreased T4 were considered to have normal pituitary thyroid function based on the TRH test results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Liv Norma Smith
- Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Peter Vestergaard
- Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Centre North Jutland, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jakob Dal
- Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Centre North Jutland, Aalborg, Denmark
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Teramoto S, Tahara S, Fukuda I, Hattori Y, Kondo A, Sugihara H, Morita A. Exploring endocrinological pitfalls in pituitary surgery in the elderly. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17060. [PMID: 37484278 PMCID: PMC10361224 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) is performed more frequently in elderly patients. We investigated endocrinological pitfalls in pituitary surgery in the elderly by a comparative study focusing only on elderly patients. Methods Ninety-nine elderly patients aged 65 years and over with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) who underwent ETSS were retrospectively examined and classified into the early (aged 65-74 years) and late (aged 75 years and over) elderly groups. The baseline characteristics and anterior pituitary function were compared between the groups. Results Seventy patients were assigned to the early elderly group and 29 to the late elderly group. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) response in preoperative and postoperative thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) tests revealed a significant difference between the groups. Preoperative and postoperative TSH responses were significantly correlated in both groups. Residual analysis of the correlation between preoperative free triiodothyronine (T3) secretion quantity and preoperative TSH response in both groups, which was significant, indicated that preoperative TSH response was significantly normal when preoperative free T3 secretion quantity was normal in the early elderly group, but preoperative free T3 secretion quantity was significantly lower regardless of preoperative TSH response in the late elderly group. Conculsions The present study suggested that preoperative and postoperative TSH secretory capacity was presumed to be normal when preoperative free T3 levels were normal in the early elderly patients with NFPA. On the other hand, TSH secretory capacity in the late elderly patients could only be assessed by the TRH test, which should be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinichiro Teramoto
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8431, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Tahara
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
| | - Izumi Fukuda
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
| | - Yujiro Hattori
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
| | - Akihide Kondo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8431, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Sugihara
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
| | - Akio Morita
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
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Prencipe N, Marinelli L, Varaldo E, Cuboni D, Berton AM, Bioletto F, Bona C, Gasco V, Grottoli S. Isolated anterior pituitary dysfunction in adulthood. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1100007. [PMID: 36967769 PMCID: PMC10032221 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1100007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypopituitarism is defined as a complete or partial deficiency in one or more pituitary hormones. Anterior hypopituitarism includes secondary adrenal insufficiency, central hypothyroidism, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency and prolactin deficiency. Patients with hypopituitarism suffer from an increased disability and sick days, resulting in lower health status, higher cost of care and an increased mortality. In particular during adulthood, isolated pituitary deficits are not an uncommon finding; their clinical picture is represented by vague symptoms and unclear signs, which can be difficult to properly diagnose. This often becomes a challenge for the physician. Aim of this narrative review is to analyse, for each anterior pituitary deficit, the main related etiologies, the characteristic signs and symptoms, how to properly diagnose them (suggesting an easy and reproducible step-based approach), and eventually the treatment. In adulthood, the vast majority of isolated pituitary deficits are due to pituitary tumours, head trauma, pituitary surgery and brain radiotherapy. Immune-related dysfunctions represent a growing cause of isolated pituitary deficiencies, above all secondary to use of oncological drugs such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The diagnosis of isolated pituitary deficiencies should be based on baseline hormonal assessments and/or dynamic tests. Establishing a proper diagnosis can be quite challenging: in fact, even if the diagnostic methods are becoming increasingly refined, a considerable proportion of isolated pituitary deficits still remains without a certain cause. While isolated ACTH and TSH deficiencies always require a prompt replacement treatment, gonadal replacement therapy requires a benefit-risk evaluation based on the presence of comorbidities, age and gender of the patient; finally, the need of growth hormone replacement therapies is still a matter of debate. On the other side, prolactin replacement therapy is still not available. In conclusion, our purpose is to offer a broad evaluation from causes to therapies of isolated anterior pituitary deficits in adulthood. This review will also include the evaluation of uncommon symptoms and main etiologies, the elements of suspicion of a genetic cause and protocols for diagnosis, follow-up and treatment.
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Marlier J, T’Sjoen G, Kaufman J, Lapauw B. Central hypothyroidism: are patients undertreated? Eur Thyroid J 2022; 11:e210128. [PMID: 36205647 PMCID: PMC9641783 DOI: 10.1530/etj-21-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Thyroid hormone replacement in central hypothyroidism (CHT) is more difficult than in primary hypothyroidism (PHT), putting patients at risk for inappropriate substitution. In this study, we compared the dosage of thyroid hormone replacement in patients with CHT with that of patients with PHT. In addition, we explored and compared quality of life (QoL) between both groups, based on two questionnaires, the SF-36 health score and the thyroid-specific ThyPRO score. Methods This is a monocentric, cross-sectional study, performed at the Ghent University Hospital (Belgium). We included 82 patients in total, 41 patients with CHT and 41 patients with PHT. At the time of inclusion, all patients had to have a stable dose of levothyroxine over the past 6 months and patients with PHT needed to be euthyroid (defined as having a thyroid-stimulating hormone level within the reference range, 0.2-4.5 mU/L). All data were retrieved from medical files, and questionnaires on QoL were self-administered. Results The CHT and PHT groups were comparable regarding age and BMI. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding total daily dose of levothyroxine (100 (93.75-125.00) vs 107.14 (75.00-133.93) μg in CHT and PHT, respectively; P = 0.87) or daily dose of levothyroxine per kg body weight (1.34 (1.16-1.55) vs 1.55 (1.16-1.82) μg/kg, respectively; P = 0.13). Serum levels of fT4 (P = 0.20) and fT3 (P = 0.10) also did not differ between the two groups and both were in the normal (mid)range for the two groups. Regarding QoL, patients with CHT scored worse in terms of depressive and emotional symptoms, impaired daily and social life. Conclusion We could demonstrate a difference in QoL between patients with CHT and PHT. Although patients with CHT had a somewhat lower levothyroxine substitution dose than patients with PHT, this difference was also not significant and probably does not explain the difference in QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joke Marlier
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy T’Sjoen
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jean Kaufman
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruno Lapauw
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Ahamed M A A, Shetty S, Hegde S, Prasannan P. The Emptiness Within: A Case of Empty Sella Syndrome. Cureus 2022; 14:e28941. [PMID: 36237776 PMCID: PMC9547615 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Empty Sella syndrome (ESS) is characterized by the sella turcica being filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), leading to partial or total compression of the pituitary gland, often resulting in hormonal deficiencies. It can be primary or secondary. In patients presenting with complaints of generalized weakness and fatiguability, with multiple episodes of prior hospitalizations, a thorough history and evaluation can lead to a diagnosis. We report a case of a 50-year-old lady with recurrent admissions for hyponatremia. Based on biochemical parameters and brain imaging, she was diagnosed to have ESS. We report this case to highlight the various diagnostic challenges associated with panhypopituitarism and the importance of having a high clinical suspicion, as the treatment is simple and lifesaving.
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Zhou Z, Zhang S, Hu F. Endocrine Disorder in Patients With Craniopharyngioma. Front Neurol 2021; 12:737743. [PMID: 34925209 PMCID: PMC8675636 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.737743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Craniopharyngioma is an intracranial congenital epithelial tumor growing along the pathway of the embryonic craniopharyngeal tube. The main clinical symptoms of patients with craniopharyngioma include high intracranial pressure, visual field defect, endocrine dysfunction, and hypothalamic dysfunction. At present, the preferred treatment remains the surgical treatment, but the recovery of endocrine and hypothalamic function following surgery is limited. In addition, endocrine disorders often emerge following surgery, which seriously reduces the quality of life of patients after operation. So far, research on craniopharyngioma focuses on ways to ameliorate endocrine dysfunction. This article reviews the latest research progress on pathogenesis, manifestation, significance, and treatment of endocrine disorders in patients with craniopharyngioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Zhou
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Fangqi Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital, Nanjing, China
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Hu Y, Zhu L, Liu Q, Xue Y, Sun X, Li G. Thyroid function in children with short stature accompanied by isolated pituitary hypoplasia. Hormones (Athens) 2021; 20:707-713. [PMID: 34582001 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-021-00323-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Few studies have focused on thyroid function in children with isolated pituitary hypoplasia (IPH). The purpose of this study was to investigate thyroid function in children with short stature accompanied by IPH and evaluate the values of thyroid function for the diagnosis of IPH. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study. A total of 100 children with short stature accompanied by IPH were enrolled. Among them, 68 children presenting with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) were chosen as the IPH group. Sixty-eight age-matched and sex-matched IGHD children without pituitary abnormalities were chosen as the control group. Clinical, hormonal, and imaging parameters were analyzed. The diagnostic value of thyroid function for IGHD children with IPH was evaluated. RESULTS Children in the IPH group had significantly lower height standard deviation score (HSDS), HSDS-target height standard deviation score (THSDS), free thyroxine (FT4), insulin-like growth factor-1 standard deviation score (IGF-1SDS), and pituitary height than the control subjects (p = 0.027, p = 0.033, p < 0.001, p = 0.03, and p < 0.001, respectively). The value of the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.701 (95% CI 0.614-0.788, p < 0.001) when the cut-off value for FT4 was ≤ 16.43 pmol/L and the sensitivity and specificity were 72.1 and 61.8%, respectively. FT4 levels were positively correlated with FT3, GH peak, and IGF-1 SDS levels in all children with short stature accompanied by IPH (p < 0.001, p = 0.009, and p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION IGHD children with IPH had lower FT4 levels than IGHD children without pituitary abnormalities. FT4 levels may have diagnostic value for IGHD children with IPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital, NO. 27, Eastern Jiefang Road, Linyi, 276003, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Liping Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital, NO. 27, Eastern Jiefang Road, Linyi, 276003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital, NO. 27, Eastern Jiefang Road, Linyi, 276003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yongzhen Xue
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital, NO. 27, Eastern Jiefang Road, Linyi, 276003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xuemei Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital, NO. 27, Eastern Jiefang Road, Linyi, 276003, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Guimei Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital, NO. 27, Eastern Jiefang Road, Linyi, 276003, Shandong Province, China.
- Department of Pediatrics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong Province, China.
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Samec B, Setnikar G, Gaberscek S, Kocjan T. Patients with Central Hypothyroidism are Less Sufficiently Treated with Levothyroxine than Patients with Primary Hypothyroidism. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2021; 130:223-228. [PMID: 34331306 DOI: 10.1055/a-1543-8826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contrary to patients with hypothyroidism after radioiodine (HRI) or after thyroidectomy (HTh), patients with central hypothyroidism (CH) cannot rely on thyrotropin (TSH) level to guide their treatment with L-thyroxine (L-T4). Consequently, they are at constant risk of under- or overtreatment. We aimed to establish the adequacy of L-T4 treatment in patients with CH in our cohort. METHODS Consecutive patients with CH on L-T4 treatment were compared with patients adequately treated for HRI or HTh. Levels of free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) were evaluated and the fT4/fT3 ratio was calculated. RESULTS Forty patients with CH, 136 patients with HRI and 43 patients with HTh were included in this study. Patients with HRI were significantly younger than patients with HTh and CH (p<0.001 for both). Levels of fT4 were significantly lower in CH than in adequately treated patients with HRI and HTh (median (range), 15.6 (12.7-21.3), 18.4 (12.2-28.8), and 18.7 (13.8-25.5) pmol/L, respectively, p<0.001 for both comparisons). Levels of fT3 did not differ significantly (p=0.521) between CH, HRI and HTh (median (range), 4.5 (2.7-5.9), 4.3 (3.2-6.2), and 4.4 (2.9-5.5) pmol/L, respectively). Accordingly, the fT4/fT3 ratio was significantly lower in the CH group than in HRI and HTh groups (median (range), 3.7 (2.5-5.2), 4.2 (1.2-7.7), and 4.4 (2.5-6.1), respectively, p<0.001 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS Patients with CH have lower fT4 levels and lower fT4/fT3 ratios than patients adequately treated for HRI or HTh. The cause for this difference may be the unreliable TSH levels in patients with CH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Samec
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gaja Setnikar
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Gaberscek
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaz Kocjan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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13
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Garmes HM, Boguszewski CL, Miranda PAC, Martins MRA, da Silva SRC, Abucham JZ, de Castro Musolino NR, Vilar L, Portari LHC, Gadelha MR, Kasuki L, Naves LA, Czepielewski MA, de Almeida TS, Duarte FHG, Glezer A, Bronstein MD. Management of hypopituitarism: a perspective from the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2021; 65:212-230. [PMID: 33905631 PMCID: PMC10065316 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Hypopituitarism is a disorder characterized by insufficient secretion of one or more pituitary hormones. New etiologies of hypopituitarism have been recently described, including head trauma, cerebral hemorrhage, and drug-induced hypophysitis. The investigation of patients with these new disorders, in addition to advances in diagnosis and treatment of hypopituitarism, has increased the prevalence of this condition. Pituitary hormone deficiencies can induce significant clinical changes with consequent increased morbidity and mortality rates, while hormone replacement based on current guidelines protects these patients. In this review, we will first discuss the different etiologies of hypopituitarism and then address one by one the clinical aspects, diagnostic evaluation, and therapeutic options for deficiencies of TSH, ACTH, gonadotropin, and GH. Finally, we will detail the hormonal interactions that occur during replacement of pituitary hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heraldo Mendes Garmes
- Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Divisão de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brasil,
| | - César Luiz Boguszewski
- Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Universidade Federal do Paraná (SEMPR), Curitiba, PR, Brasil,
| | | | | | - Silvia Regina Correa da Silva
- Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Divisão de Endocrinologia e Metabolismo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Julio Zaki Abucham
- Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Divisão de Endocrinologia e Metabolismo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Nina Rosa de Castro Musolino
- Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Divisão de Neurocirurgia Funcional, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, DP, Brasil
| | - Lucio Vilar
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Luiz Henrique Corrêa Portari
- Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Divisão de Endocrinologia e Metabolismo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Mônica Roberto Gadelha
- Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Centro de Pesquisa de Neuroendocrinologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Leandro Kasuki
- Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Centro de Pesquisa de Neuroendocrinologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Luciana Ansaneli Naves
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Mauro Antônio Czepielewski
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Tobias Skrebsky de Almeida
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | | | - Andrea Glezer
- Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Laboratório de Endocrinologia Celular e Molecular LIM-25, Divisão de Endocrinologia e Metabolismo, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcello Delano Bronstein
- Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Laboratório de Endocrinologia Celular e Molecular LIM-25, Divisão de Endocrinologia e Metabolismo, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezer Acar
- Dr. Behçet Uz Children’s Hospital, Clinic of Pediatric Endocrinology, İzmir, Turkey,* Address for Correspondence: Dr. Behçet Uz Children’s Hospital, Clinic of Pediatric Endocrinology, İzmir, Turkey Phone: +90 232 411 60 00-6318 E-mail:
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15
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Guerreiro V, Bernardes I, Pereira J, Silva RP, Fernandes S, Carvalho D, Freitas P. Acromegaly with congenital generalized lipodystrophy - two rare insulin resistance conditions in one patient: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2020; 14:34. [PMID: 32079542 PMCID: PMC7033930 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-020-2352-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipodystrophies are a group of diseases which are characterized by abnormal adipose tissue deposition and are frequently associated with metabolic changes. Congenital generalized lipodystrophy is an autosomal recessive syndrome, with a prevalence < 1:10 million. Acromegaly is a rare disease, secondary to the chronic hypersecretion of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1, with characteristic metabolic and somatic effects. "Acromegaloidism" is a term used for patients who manifest clinical features of acromegaly, but do not present a demonstrable hormone growth hypersecretion. The extreme shortage of subcutaneous adipose tissues and muscle hypertrophy confer an acromegaloid-like appearance in these patients. CASE PRESENTATION We describe a case of a patient with the rare combination of Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy and acromegaly; our patient is a 63-year-old white man, who was referred to an endocrinology consultation for suspected lipodystrophy. He had lipoatrophy of upper and lower limbs, trunk, and buttocks, with muscular prominence, acromegaloid facial appearance, large extremities, and soft tissue tumescence. In addition, he had dyslipidemia and prediabetes. His fat mass ratio (% trunk fat mass/% lower limbs fat mass) was 1.02 by densitometry and he also had hepatomegaly, with mild steatosis (from an abdominal ultrasound), and left ventricular hypertrophy (from an electrocardiogram). His first oral glucose tolerance test had growth hormone nadir of 0.92 ng/mL, and the second test, 10 months afterwards, registered growth hormone nadir of 0.64 ng/mL (growth hormone nadir < 0.3 ng/mL excludes acromegaly). Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging identified an area of hypocaptation of contrast product in relation to a pituitary adenoma and he was subsequently submitted to transsphenoidal surgical resection of the mass. A pathological evaluation showed pituitary adenoma with extensive expression of growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone, as well as a rare expression of follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin. A genetic study revealed an exon 3/exon 4 deletion of the AGPAT2 gene in homozygosity. CONCLUSIONS Congenital generalized lipodystrophy is a rare disease which occurs with acromegaloid features. As far as we know, we have described the first case of genetic lipodystrophy associated with true acromegaly. Although this is a rare association, the presence of congenital generalized lipodystrophy should not exclude the possibility of simultaneous acromegaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Guerreiro
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João EPE, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4202-451 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine of the Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Irene Bernardes
- Department of Neuroradiology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Josué Pereira
- Department of Neurosurgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Roberto Pestana Silva
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana Fernandes
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Davide Carvalho
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João EPE, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4202-451 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine of the Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Freitas
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João EPE, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4202-451 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine of the Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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16
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Alexandraki KI, Grossman AB. Management of Hypopituitarism. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8122153. [PMID: 31817511 PMCID: PMC6947162 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypopituitarism includes all clinical conditions that result in partial or complete failure of the anterior and posterior lobe of the pituitary gland’s ability to secrete hormones. The aim of management is usually to replace the target-hormone of hypothalamo-pituitary-endocrine gland axis with the exceptions of secondary hypogonadism when fertility is required, and growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and to safely minimise both symptoms and clinical signs. Adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency replacement is best performed with the immediate-release oral glucocorticoid hydrocortisone (HC) in 2–3 divided doses. However, novel once-daily modified-release HC targets a more physiological exposure of glucocorticoids. GHD is treated currently with daily subcutaneous GH, but current research is focusing on the development of once-weekly administration of recombinant GH. Hypogonadism is targeted with testosterone replacement in men and on estrogen replacement therapy in women; when fertility is wanted, replacement targets secondary or tertiary levels of hormonal settings. Thyroid-stimulating hormone replacement therapy follows the rules of primary thyroid gland failure with L-thyroxine replacement. Central diabetes insipidus is nowadays replaced by desmopressin. Certain clinical scenarios may have to be promptly managed to avoid short-term or long-term sequelae such as pregnancy in patients with hypopituitarism, pituitary apoplexy, adrenal crisis, and pituitary metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystallenia I. Alexandraki
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Ashley B. Grossman
- Department of Endocrinology, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Barts and the London School of Medicine, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Correspondence:
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17
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Petunina NA, Trukhina LV, Martirosian NS. Central hypothyroidism. TERAPEVT ARKH 2019; 91:135-138. [DOI: 10.26442/00403660.2019.10.000358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Central hypothyroidism is a rare cause of hypothyroidism, consequence of various disorders affecting pituitary (secondary) or hypothalamus (tertiary hypothyroidism). Difficulties in the diagnosis and management of patients are due to the nontypical clinical picture, frequent combination with impaired function of other pituitary hormones, difficulties in laboratory assessment in high TSH levels or low - normal T4 free levels. Diagnosis is based on a confirmed decrease in the level of free T4 with a low or normal level of TSH. The standard treatment for hypothyroidism of any etiology remains monotherapy with levothyroxine, which allows to restore the euthyroid state in most patients. The criterion for the effectiveness of therapy is to maintain the level of T4 free in the upper half of the reference norm interval. The article presents a modern understanding of epidemiology, pathogenesis and strategies for managing patients with central hypothyroidism.
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18
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Verhoestraete P, Carpentier M, Donck J, Vandekerckhove H. Dilated cardiomyopathy and rhabdomyolysis caused by hypopituitarism: a challenging diagnosis. Acta Cardiol 2019; 75:593-597. [PMID: 31536463 DOI: 10.1080/00015385.2019.1665848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jan Donck
- Department of Nephrology, AZ Sint-Lucas Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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19
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Kaur N, Schubart U, Mandl A. Colonic pseudo-obstruction in a patient with Sheehan's syndrome. BMJ Case Rep 2019; 12:12/8/e228936. [PMID: 31439564 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A 56-year-old woman with a history of hypothyroidism and chronic constipation presented with an acute abdomen due to colonic pseudo-obstruction. Thyroid function tests were consistent with central hypothyroidism prompting intravenous administration of stress-dose glucocorticoids and levothyroxine. The patient then underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy with sigmoid resection and end-colostomy. The postoperative endocrine evaluation revealed that the patient had panhypopituitarism due to Sheehan's syndrome (SS). The diagnosis had been missed by physicians who had been treating her for several years for presumed primary hypothyroidism with a low dose of levothyroxine, aimed at normalising a minimally elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. This is the second reported case of SS presenting with colonic pseudo-obstruction and it illustrates the potential danger of relying on measurement of TSH alone in the evaluation and treatment of thyroid dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navneet Kaur
- Jacobi Medical Center, Internal Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Ulrich Schubart
- Endocrinology, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.,Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Adel Mandl
- Jacobi Medical Center, Internal Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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20
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Esposito D, Olsson DS, Ragnarsson O, Buchfelder M, Skoglund T, Johannsson G. Non-functioning pituitary adenomas: indications for pituitary surgery and post-surgical management. Pituitary 2019; 22:422-434. [PMID: 31011999 PMCID: PMC6647426 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-019-00960-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are associated with impaired well-being, increased comorbidities, and reduced long-term survival. Data on optimal management of NFPAs around surgical treatment are scarce, and postoperative treatment and follow-up strategies have not been evaluated in prospective trials. Here, we review the preoperative, perioperative, and early postoperative management of patients with NFPAs. METHODS We searched Medline and the Cochrane Library for articles published in English with the following items "Pituitary neoplasms AND Surgery" and "Surgery AND Hypopituitarism". Studies containing detailed analyses of the management of NFPAs in adult patients, including pituitary surgery, endocrine care, imaging, ophthalmologic assessment and long-term outcome were reviewed. RESULTS Treatment options for NFPAs include active surveillance, surgical resection, and radiotherapy. Pituitary surgery is currently recommended as first-line treatment in patients with visual impairment due to adenomas compressing the optic nerves or chiasma. Radiotherapy is reserved for large tumor remnants or tumor recurrence following one or more surgical attempts. There is no consensus of optimal pre-, peri-, and postoperative management such as timing, frequency, and duration of endocrine, radiologic, and ophthalmologic assessments as well as management of smaller tumor remnants or tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS In clinical practice, there is a great variation in the treatment and follow-up of patients with NFPAs. We have, based on available data, suggested an optimal management strategy for patients with NFPAs in relation to pituitary surgery. Prospective trials oriented at drawing up strategies for the management of NFPAs are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Esposito
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Daniel S Olsson
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Oskar Ragnarsson
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Michael Buchfelder
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlange, Germany
| | - Thomas Skoglund
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gudmundur Johannsson
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
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21
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Thyroid Disorders in Homozygous β-Thalassemia: Current Knowledge, Emerging Issues and Open Problems. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2019; 11:e2019029. [PMID: 31205633 PMCID: PMC6548211 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2019.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in thyroid function and thyroid function tests occur in patients with β-thalassemia major (TM). The frequency of hypothyroidism in TM patients ranges from 4% to 29 % in different reports. The wide variation has been attributed to several factors such as patients’ genotype, age, ethnic heterogeneity, treatment protocols of transfusions and chelation, and varying compliance to treatment. Hypothyroidism is the result of primary gland failure or insufficient thyroid gland stimulation by the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. The main laboratory parameters of thyroid function are the assessments of serum thyroid-stimulating hor-mone (TSH) and serum free thyroxine (FT4). It is of primary importance to interpret these measurements within the context of the laboratory-specific normative range for each test. An elevated serum TSH level with a standard range of serum FT4 level is consistent with subclinical hypothyroidism. A low serum FT4 level with a low, or inappropriately normal, serum TSH level is consistent with secondary hypothyroidism. Doctors caring for TM patients most commonly encounter subjects with subclinical primary hypothyroidism in the second decade of life. Several aspects remain to be elucidated as the frequency of thyroid cancer and the possible existence of a relationship between thyroid dysfunction, on one hand, cardiovascular diseases, components of metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance) and hypercoagulable state, on the other hand. Further studies are needed to explain these emerging issues. Following a brief description of thyroid hormone regulation, production and actions, this article is conceptually divided into two parts; the first reports the spectrum of thyroid disease occurring in patients with TM, and the second part focuses on the emerging issues and the open problems in TM patients with thyroid disorders.
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22
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Persani L, Cangiano B, Bonomi M. The diagnosis and management of central hypothyroidism in 2018. Endocr Connect 2019; 8:R44-R54. [PMID: 30645189 PMCID: PMC6373625 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Central hypothyrodism (CeH) is a hypothyroid state caused by an insufficient stimulation by thyrotropin (TSH) of an otherwise normal thyroid gland. Several advancements, including the recent publication of expert guidelines for CeH diagnosis and management, have been made in recent years thus increasing the clinical awareness on this condition. Here, we reviewed the recent advancements and give expert opinions on critical issues. Indeed, CeH can be the consequence of various disorders affecting either the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. Recent data enlarged the list of candidate genes for heritable CeH and a genetic origin may be the underlying cause for CeH discovered in pediatric or even adult patients without apparent pituitary lesions. This raises the doubt that the frequency of CeH may be underestimated. CeH is most frequently diagnosed as a consequence of the biochemical assessments in patients with hypothalamic/pituitary lesions. In contrast with primary hypothyroidism, low FT4 with low/normal TSH levels are the biochemical hallmark of CeH, and adequate thyroid hormone replacement leads to the suppression of residual TSH secretion. Thus, CeH often represents a clinical challenge because physicians cannot rely on the use of the 'reflex TSH strategy' for screening or therapy monitoring. Nevertheless, in contrast with general assumption, the finding of normal TSH levels may indicate thyroxine under-replacement in CeH patients. The clinical management of CeH is further complicated by the combination with multiple pituitary deficiencies, as the introduction of sex steroids or GH replacements may uncover latent forms of CeH or increase the thyroxine requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Persani
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Correspondence should be addressed to L Persani:
| | - Biagio Cangiano
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Bonomi
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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23
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Einarsdottir MJ, Olafsson E, Sigurjonsdottir HA. Antiepileptic drugs are associated with central hypothyroidism. Acta Neurol Scand 2019; 139:64-69. [PMID: 30194856 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies in children have shown an increased frequency of central hypothyroidism (CH) with long-term use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The aim of this study was to search for CH in adults treated with AEDs and find whether the type of AEDs used matters. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adult epileptic patients treated at the neurology outpatient clinic at Landspitali University Hospital (LSH) from 1998 to 2011 were included. Patients were invited for a blood test if serum levels for TSH (s-TSH) or free-T4 (s-fT4 ) had not already been obtained. CH was defined as s-fT4 below the reference range (12-22 pmol/L) and normal s-TSH levels (0.30-4.20 mIU/L). Data were analyzed using logistic regression and Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS We identified 165 patients (92 women), mean age 45.6 (±15.5, range: 20-92) years. The mean s-fT4 -level in our group was 14.2 (±2.9, range: 8.1-24.4) pmol/L compared with 16.9 (±6.1) pmol/L in a sample of 13248 measurements at LSH during one year (LSH-group) (P < 0.001). The difference in s-fT4 -level between men and the LSH-group was significant and also for women (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Thirty-five patients (21%) had CH. A significant association with the use of carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine was found, odds ratio for women 15.0 (95% CI: 4.6-49.5) and 1.8 (95% CI: 0.4-8.3) for men. CONCLUSION 21% of patients treated with AEDs had CH, more often patients taking carbamazepine or oxacarbazepine, and more often women. The s-fT4 -level was lower among patients treated with AEDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elias Olafsson
- Department of Neurology; Landspitali University Hospital; Reykjavik Iceland
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences; University of Iceland; Reykjavik Iceland
| | - Helga Agusta Sigurjonsdottir
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences; University of Iceland; Reykjavik Iceland
- Department of Endocrinology; Landspitali University Hospital; Reykjavik Iceland
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van Iersel L, Clement SC, Schouten-van Meeteren AYN, Boot AM, Claahsen-van der Grinten HL, Granzen B, Sen Han K, Janssens GO, Michiels EM, van Trotsenburg ASP, Vandertop WP, van Vuurden DG, Caron HN, Kremer LCM, van Santen HM. Declining free thyroxine levels over time in irradiated childhood brain tumor survivors. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:1322-1332. [PMID: 30400062 PMCID: PMC6280587 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The incidence of cranial radiotherapy (cRT)-induced central hypothyroidism (TSHD) in childhood brain tumor survivors (CBTS) is reported to be low. However, TSHD may be more frequent than currently suspected, as its diagnosis is challenging due to broad reference ranges for free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations. TSHD is more likely to be present when FT4 levels progressively decline over time. Therefore, we determined the incidence and latency time of TSHD and changes of FT4 levels over time in irradiated CBTS. DESIGN Nationwide, 10-year retrospective study of irradiated CBTS. METHODS TSHD was defined as 'diagnosed' when FT4 concentrations were below the reference range with low, normal or mildly elevated thyrotropin levels, and as 'presumed' when FT4 declined ≥ 20% within the reference range. Longitudinal FT4 concentrations over time were determined in growth hormone deficient (GHD) CBTS with and without diagnosed TSHD from cRT to last follow-up (paired t-test). RESULTS Of 207 included CBTS, the 5-year cumulative incidence of diagnosed TSHD was 20.3%, which occurred in 50% (25/50) of CBTS with GHD by 3.4 years (range, 0.9-9.7) after cRT. Presumed TSHD was present in 20 additional CBTS. The median FT4 decline in GH-deficient CBTS was 41.3% (P < 0.01) to diagnosis of TSHD and 12.4% (P = 0.02) in GH-deficient CBTS without diagnosed TSHD. CONCLUSIONS FT4 concentrations in CBTS significantly decline over time after cRT, also in those not diagnosed with TSHD, suggesting that TSHD occurs more frequently and earlier than currently reported. The clinical relevance of cRT-induced FT4 decline over time should be investigated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura van Iersel
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah C Clement
- Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Antoinette Y N Schouten-van Meeteren
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke M Boot
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hedi L Claahsen-van der Grinten
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bernd Granzen
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - K Sen Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Geert O Janssens
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erna M Michiels
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A S Paul van Trotsenburg
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W Peter Vandertop
- Neurosurgical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam and location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dannis G van Vuurden
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hubert N Caron
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leontien C M Kremer
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke M van Santen
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence should be addressed to H M van Santen:
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Persani L, Brabant G, Dattani M, Bonomi M, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Fliers E, Gruters A, Maiter D, Schoenmakers N, van Trotsenburg AP. 2018 European Thyroid Association (ETA) Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Central Hypothyroidism. Eur Thyroid J 2018; 7:225-237. [PMID: 30374425 PMCID: PMC6198777 DOI: 10.1159/000491388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Central hypothyroidism (CeH) is a rare form of hypothyroidism characterized by insufficient thyroid stimulation due to disturbed pituitary and/or hypothalamic functioning. Due to its origin and the whole clinical context, CeH represents a challenging condition in clinical practice as it is characterized by suboptimal accuracy of clinical and biochemical parameters for diagnosis and management. Since no expert consensus or guidance for this condition is currently available, a task force of experts received the commitment from the European Thyroid Association (ETA) to prepare this document based on the principles of clinical evidence. STUDY DESIGN The task force started to work in February 2017 and after a careful selection of appropriate references (cohort studies, case reports, expert opinions), a preliminary presentation and live discussion during the 2017 ETA meeting, and several revision rounds, has prepared a list of recommendations to support the diagnosis and management of patients with CeH. RESULTS Due to the particular challenges of this rare condition in the different ages, the target users of this guidance are pediatric and adult endocrinologists. Experts agreed on the need to recognize and treat overt CeH at all ages, whereas treatment of milder forms may be dispensable in the elderly (> 75 years). CONCLUSIONS Despite the lack of randomized controlled clinical trials, the experts provide 34 recommendations supported by variable levels of strength that should improve the quality of life of the affected patients and reduce the metabolic and hormonal consequences of inadequate management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- *Prof. Luca Persani, MD, PhD, University of Milan and IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, San Luca Hospital, Piazzale Brescia 20, IT–20149 Milan (Italy), E-Mail
| | - Georg Brabant
- Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology Medical Clinic I – University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mehul Dattani
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Bonomi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eric Fliers
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Annette Gruters
- Department for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominique Maiter
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, UCL Cliniques Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nadia Schoenmakers
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - A.S. Paul van Trotsenburg
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Notas G, Kampa M, Malliaraki N, Petrodaskalaki M, Papavasileiou S, Castanas E. Implementation of thyroid function tests algorithms by clinical laboratories: A four-year experience of good clinical and diagnostic practice in a tertiary hospital in Greece. Eur J Intern Med 2018; 54:81-86. [PMID: 29605463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thyroid Function Tests (TFTs) are among the most commontly ordered tests. Significant overuse of TFTs can occur when instead of using a single TSH test to screen for thyroid disease a full panel (TSH plus FT4 and FT3) is ordered. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of a scientifically-established laboratory-controlled algorithm for TFTs to physician's orders for inpatients and to address potential pitfalls of such an approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS We collected and analyzed Laboratory Information System data of the TFTs performed between April 2009 and March 2016 in a 739-bed tertiary teaching hospital. Between April 2013 and March 2016, we applied a laboratory controlled algorithm for inpatient TFT assays after TSH and did not perform further tests, unless a justified bypass was requested by the treating physician. RESULTS Algorithm application led to significant reductions of TFTs executed per TSH ordered. Compared to the four years preceding the intervention, executed FT4/TSH tests decreased from 93 to 18%, FT3/TSH from 92 to 18%, anti-TG/TSH from 18 to 4% and anti-TPO/TSH from 11 to 3%. Simultaneously, FT4, FT3, anti-TG, and anti-TPO tests ordered in outpatients also displayed a significant gradual decrease. CONCLUSIONS Hospital-based laboratories can safely apply a generally accepted TFTs algorithm on physician's orders without any compromise in diagnostic/therapeutic accuracy, thus achieving significant direct cost-reduction and increased physician awareness on current TFT ordering practices. Such an approach, combined with collaboration with ordering physicians, can safeguard patients from the consequences of low-value care practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Notas
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology University of Crete, School of Medicine and University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece.
| | - Marilena Kampa
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology University of Crete, School of Medicine and University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece
| | - Niki Malliaraki
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Stathis Papavasileiou
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Crete, School of Medicine and University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elias Castanas
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology University of Crete, School of Medicine and University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece
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Mazziotti G, Frara S, Giustina A. Pituitary Diseases and Bone. Endocr Rev 2018; 39:440-488. [PMID: 29684108 DOI: 10.1210/er.2018-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrinology of bone is a new area of research based on the evidence that pituitary hormones may directly modulate bone remodeling and metabolism. Skeletal fragility associated with high risk of fractures is a common complication of several pituitary diseases such as hypopituitarism, Cushing disease, acromegaly, and hyperprolactinemia. As in other forms of secondary osteoporosis, pituitary diseases generally affect bone quality more than bone quantity, and fractures may occur even in the presence of normal or low-normal bone mineral density as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, making difficult the prediction of fractures in these clinical settings. Treatment of pituitary hormone excess and deficiency generally improves skeletal health, although some patients remain at high risk of fractures, and treatment with bone-active drugs may become mandatory. The aim of this review is to discuss the physiological, pathophysiological, and clinical insights of bone involvement in pituitary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Frara
- Institute of Endocrinology, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Giustina
- Institute of Endocrinology, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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28
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de Carvalho GA, Paz-Filho G, Mesa Junior C, Graf H. MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Pitfalls on the replacement therapy for primary and central hypothyroidism in adults. Eur J Endocrinol 2018; 178:R231-R244. [PMID: 29490937 DOI: 10.1530/eje-17-0947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common hormone deficiencies in adults. Most of the cases, particularly those of overt hypothyroidism, are easily diagnosed and managed, with excellent outcomes if treated adequately. However, minor alterations of thyroid function determine nonspecific manifestations. Primary hypothyroidism due to chronic autoimmune thyroiditis is largely the most common cause of thyroid hormone deficiency. Central hypothyroidism is a rare and heterogeneous disorder characterized by decreased thyroid hormone secretion by an otherwise normal thyroid gland, due to lack of TSH. The standard treatment of primary and central hypothyroidism is hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine sodium (LT4). Treatment guidelines of hypothyroidism recommend monotherapy with LT4 due to its efficacy, long-term experience, favorable side effect profile, ease of administration, good intestinal absorption, long serum half-life and low cost. Despite being easily treatable with a daily dose of LT4, many patients remain hypothyroid due to malabsorption syndromes, autoimmune gastritis, pancreatic and liver disorders, drug interactions, polymorphisms in DIO2 (iodothyronine deiodinase 2), high fiber diet, and more frequently, non-compliance to LT4 therapy. Compliance to levothyroxine treatment in hypothyroidism is compromised by daily and fasting schedule. Many adult patients remain hypothyroid due to all the above mentioned and many attempts to improve levothyroxine therapy compliance and absorption have been made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisah Amaral de Carvalho
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, SEMPR, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | - Cleo Mesa Junior
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, SEMPR, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Hans Graf
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, SEMPR, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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Zhang Q, Zang L, Li YJ, Han BY, Gu WJ, Yan WH, Jin N, Chen K, Du J, Wang XL, Guo QH, Yang GQ, Yang LJ, Ba JM, Lv ZH, Dou JT, Lu JM, Mu YM. Thyrotrophic status in patients with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e9084. [PMID: 29480822 PMCID: PMC5943885 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000009084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is associated with simultaneous or subsequent pituitary hormone deficiencies (PHDs). Although the clinical features of multiple PHDs are well known, the status of the thyrotrophic axis in PSIS has not been thoroughly investigated.The clinical data of 89 PSIS patients and 34 Sheehan syndrome (SS) patients were retrospectively analyzed.The prevalence of central hypothyroidism in the PSIS patients and the SS patients was 79.8% and 70.6%, respectively. The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the PSIS patients were significantly higher in comparison with the SS patients (5.13 ± 3.40 vs 1.67 ± 1.20 mU/L, P < .05). TSH elevation (8.79 ± 3.17 mU/L) was noticed in 29 of 71 (40.85%) hypothyroid PSIS patients but not in the 24 hypothyroid SS patients. The TSH levels in the hypothyroid PSIS patients were significantly higher in comparison with the euthyroid PSIS patients (5.42 ± 3.67 vs 3.66 ± 1.50 mU/L). Thyroid hormone replacement significantly reduced the TSH levels in the PSIS patients with elevated TSH levels from 7.24 ± 0.98 to 1.67 ± 1.51 mU/L (P < .05). The logistic regression analysis suggested that TSH level was not significantly associated with pituitary stalk status and height of the anterior pituitary gland.PSIS is a newly recognized cause of central hypothyroidism. The proportion and amplitude of TSH elevations are higher in PSIS than in other causes of central hypothyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
- Department of Endocrinology, PLA Army General Hospital, Beijing
| | - Li Zang
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Yi-Jun Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Bai-Yu Han
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
- Department of Endocrinology, The 264 Hospital of PLA, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Wei-Jun Gu
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Wen-Hua Yan
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Nan Jin
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Kang Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Jin Du
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Xian-Ling Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Qing-Hua Guo
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Guo-Qing Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Li-Juan Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Jian-Ming Ba
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Zhao-Hui Lv
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Jing-Tao Dou
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Ju-Ming Lu
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
| | - Yi-Ming Mu
- Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital
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Abstract
Over the last three decades, short- and long-term observational studies, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses have provided relevant information on the efficacy and safety of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in adults with GH deficiency (AGHD). The knowledge acquired during this time has been compiled into different guidelines that offer clinicians an evidence-based, practical approach for the management of AGHD. There are, however, still open questions in some key areas in which recommendations are supported by only moderate or weak evidence. In the last recent years, the development of long-acting GH preparations has created new therapeutic possibilities by decreasing injection frequency, improving adherence and thereby potentially maximizing clinical outcomes. The aims of this review are to advance our understanding on the diagnosis and treatment of AGHD and to present an update and future perspectives on the use of long-acting GH preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Luiz Boguszewski
- Endocrine Division (SEMPR), Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
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Abstract
Central hypothyroidism is a rare and heterogeneous disorder that is characterized by a defect in thyroid hormone secretion in an otherwise normal thyroid gland due to insufficient stimulation by TSH. The disease results from the abnormal function of the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, or both. Moreover, central hypothyroidism can be isolated or combined with other pituitary hormone deficiencies, which are mostly acquired and are rarely congenital. The clinical manifestations of central hypothyroidism are usually milder than those observed in primary hypothyroidism. Obtaining a positive diagnosis for central hypothyroidism can be difficult from both a clinical and a biochemical perspective. The diagnosis of central hypothyroidism is based on low circulating levels of free T4 in the presence of low to normal TSH concentrations. The correct diagnosis of both acquired (also termed sporadic) and congenital (also termed genetic) central hypothyroidism can be hindered by methodological interference in free T4 or TSH measurements; routine utilization of total T4 or T3 measurements; concurrent systemic illness that is characterized by low levels of free T4 and normal TSH concentrations; the use of the sole TSH-reflex strategy, which is the measurement of the sole level of TSH, without free T4, if levels of TSH are in the normal range; and the diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism based on TSH analysis without the concomitant measurement of serum levels of T4. In this Review, we discuss current knowledge of the causes of central hypothyroidism, emphasizing possible pitfalls in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Rodari
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Unit, Via Francesco Sforza 35, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Claudia Giavoli
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Unit, Via Francesco Sforza 35, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Andrea Lania
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University and Endocrinology Unit, Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano 20086, Italy
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The syndrome of central hypothyroidism and macroorchidism: IGSF1 controls TRHR and FSHB expression by differential modulation of pituitary TGFβ and Activin pathways. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42937. [PMID: 28262687 PMCID: PMC5338029 DOI: 10.1038/srep42937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
IGSF1 (Immunoglobulin Superfamily 1) gene defects cause central hypothyroidism and macroorchidism. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease remain unclear. Based on a patient with a full deletion of IGSF1 clinically followed from neonate to adulthood, we investigated a common pituitary origin for hypothyroidism and macroorchidism, and the role of IGSF1 as regulator of pituitary hormone secretion. The patient showed congenital central hypothyroidism with reduced TSH biopotency, over-secretion of FSH at neonatal minipuberty and macroorchidism from 3 years of age. His markedly elevated inhibin B was unable to inhibit FSH secretion, indicating a status of pituitary inhibin B resistance. We show here that IGSF1 is expressed both in thyrotropes and gonadotropes of the pituitary and in Leydig and germ cells in the testes, but at very low levels in Sertoli cells. Furthermore, IGSF1 stimulates transcription of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRHR) by negative modulation of the TGFβ1-Smad signaling pathway, and enhances the synthesis and biopotency of TSH, the hormone secreted by thyrotropes. By contrast, IGSF1 strongly down-regulates the activin-Smad pathway, leading to reduced expression of FSHB, the hormone secreted by gonadotropes. In conclusion, two relevant molecular mechanisms linked to central hypothyroidism and macroorchidism in IGSF1 deficiency are identified, revealing IGSF1 as an important regulator of TGFβ/Activin pathways in the pituitary.
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Giavoli C, Profka E, Rodari G, Lania A, Beck-Peccoz P. Focus on GH deficiency and thyroid function. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017; 31:71-78. [PMID: 28477734 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The relationships between GH system and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis are complex and not yet fully understood. The reported effects of GH administration on thyroid status of GHD patients have been remarkably divergent. This review will focus on the main studies aimed to clarify the effects of GH on thyroid function, firstly going through the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism and its possible pitfalls, then elucidating the possible contexts in which GHD may develop and examining the proposed mechanisms at the basis of interactions between the GH-IGF-I system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Giavoli
- Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Eriselda Profka
- Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Rodari
- Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Lania
- Endocrine Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
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Abstract
Hypopituitarism refers to deficiency of one or more hormones produced by the anterior pituitary or released from the posterior pituitary. Hypopituitarism is associated with excess mortality, a key risk factor being cortisol deficiency due to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. Onset can be acute or insidious, and the most common cause in adulthood is a pituitary adenoma, or treatment with pituitary surgery or radiotherapy. Hypopituitarism is diagnosed based on baseline blood sampling for thyroid stimulating hormone, gonadotropin, and prolactin deficiencies, whereas for ACTH, growth hormone, and antidiuretic hormone deficiency dynamic stimulation tests are usually needed. Repeated pituitary function assessment at regular intervals is needed for diagnosis of the predictable but slowly evolving forms of hypopituitarism. Replacement treatment exists in the form of thyroxine, hydrocortisone, sex steroids, growth hormone, and desmopressin. If onset is acute, cortisol deficiency should be replaced first. Modifications in replacement treatment are needed during the transition from paediatric to adult endocrine care, and during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Higham
- Department of Endocrinology, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Gudmundur Johannsson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stephen M Shalet
- Department of Endocrinology, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
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35
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Fleseriu M, Hashim IA, Karavitaki N, Melmed S, Murad MH, Salvatori R, Samuels MH. Hormonal Replacement in Hypopituitarism in Adults: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2016; 101:3888-3921. [PMID: 27736313 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2016-2118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 438] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To formulate clinical practice guidelines for hormonal replacement in hypopituitarism in adults. PARTICIPANTS The participants include an Endocrine Society-appointed Task Force of six experts, a methodologist, and a medical writer. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry, the Pituitary Society, and the European Society of Endocrinology co-sponsored this guideline. EVIDENCE The Task Force developed this evidence-based guideline using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to describe the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. The Task Force commissioned two systematic reviews and used the best available evidence from other published systematic reviews and individual studies. CONSENSUS PROCESS One group meeting, several conference calls, and e-mail communications enabled consensus. Committees and members of the Endocrine Society, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, the Pituitary Society, and the European Society of Endocrinology reviewed and commented on preliminary drafts of these guidelines. CONCLUSIONS Using an evidence-based approach, this guideline addresses important clinical issues regarding the evaluation and management of hypopituitarism in adults, including appropriate biochemical assessments, specific therapeutic decisions to decrease the risk of co-morbidities due to hormonal over-replacement or under-replacement, and managing hypopituitarism during pregnancy, pituitary surgery, and other types of surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fleseriu
- Oregon Health & Science University, Northwest Pituitary Center (M.F.), and Departments of Neurological Surgery and Medicine (Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition), Portland, Oregon 97239; Department of Pathology (I.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390; Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (N.K.), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (N.K.), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom, Pituitary Center (S.M.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048; Mayo Clinic Evidence-Based Practice Center, (M.H.M), Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.S.), Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition (M.H.S.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Ibrahim A Hashim
- Oregon Health & Science University, Northwest Pituitary Center (M.F.), and Departments of Neurological Surgery and Medicine (Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition), Portland, Oregon 97239; Department of Pathology (I.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390; Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (N.K.), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (N.K.), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom, Pituitary Center (S.M.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048; Mayo Clinic Evidence-Based Practice Center, (M.H.M), Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.S.), Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition (M.H.S.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Niki Karavitaki
- Oregon Health & Science University, Northwest Pituitary Center (M.F.), and Departments of Neurological Surgery and Medicine (Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition), Portland, Oregon 97239; Department of Pathology (I.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390; Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (N.K.), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (N.K.), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom, Pituitary Center (S.M.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048; Mayo Clinic Evidence-Based Practice Center, (M.H.M), Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.S.), Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition (M.H.S.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Shlomo Melmed
- Oregon Health & Science University, Northwest Pituitary Center (M.F.), and Departments of Neurological Surgery and Medicine (Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition), Portland, Oregon 97239; Department of Pathology (I.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390; Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (N.K.), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (N.K.), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom, Pituitary Center (S.M.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048; Mayo Clinic Evidence-Based Practice Center, (M.H.M), Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.S.), Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition (M.H.S.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - M Hassan Murad
- Oregon Health & Science University, Northwest Pituitary Center (M.F.), and Departments of Neurological Surgery and Medicine (Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition), Portland, Oregon 97239; Department of Pathology (I.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390; Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (N.K.), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (N.K.), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom, Pituitary Center (S.M.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048; Mayo Clinic Evidence-Based Practice Center, (M.H.M), Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.S.), Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition (M.H.S.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Roberto Salvatori
- Oregon Health & Science University, Northwest Pituitary Center (M.F.), and Departments of Neurological Surgery and Medicine (Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition), Portland, Oregon 97239; Department of Pathology (I.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390; Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (N.K.), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (N.K.), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom, Pituitary Center (S.M.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048; Mayo Clinic Evidence-Based Practice Center, (M.H.M), Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.S.), Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition (M.H.S.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Mary H Samuels
- Oregon Health & Science University, Northwest Pituitary Center (M.F.), and Departments of Neurological Surgery and Medicine (Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition), Portland, Oregon 97239; Department of Pathology (I.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390; Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (N.K.), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (N.K.), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom, Pituitary Center (S.M.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048; Mayo Clinic Evidence-Based Practice Center, (M.H.M), Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.S.), Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition (M.H.S.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
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36
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Curtò L, Trimarchi F. Hypopituitarism in the elderly: a narrative review on clinical management of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes dysfunction. J Endocrinol Invest 2016; 39:1115-24. [PMID: 27209187 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-016-0487-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Hypopituitarism is an uncommon and under-investigated endocrine disorder in old age since signs and symptoms are unspecific and, at least in part, can be attributed to the physiological effects of aging and related co-morbidities. Clinical presentation is often insidious being characterized by non-specific manifestations, such as weight gain, fatigue, low muscle strength, bradipsychism, hypotension or intolerance to cold. In these circumstances, hypopituitarism is a rarely life-threatening condition, but evolution may be more dramatic as a result of pituitary apoplexy, or when a serious condition of adrenal insufficiency suddenly occurs. Clinical presentation depends on the effects that each pituitary deficit can cause, and on their mutual relationship, but also, inevitably, it depends on the severity and duration of the deficit itself, as well as on the general condition of the patient. Indeed, indications and methods of hormone replacement therapy must include the need to normalize the endocrine profile without contributing to the worsening of intercurrent diseases, such as those of glucose and bone metabolism, and the cardiovascular system, or to the increasing cancer risk. Hormonal requirements of elderly patients are reduced compared to young adults, but a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of pituitary deficiencies are strongly recommended, also in this age range.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Curtò
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, University of Messina, AOU Policlinico "G. Martino" (Block H, Floor 4), Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125, Messina, Italy.
| | - F Trimarchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, University of Messina, AOU Policlinico "G. Martino" (Block H, Floor 4), Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125, Messina, Italy
- Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Measurement of Serum Free Thyroxine Index May Provide Additional Case Detection Compared to Free Thyroxine in the Diagnosis of Central Hypothyroidism. Case Rep Endocrinol 2015; 2015:965191. [PMID: 26779356 PMCID: PMC4686635 DOI: 10.1155/2015/965191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of central hypothyroidism is often suspected in patients with hypothalamic/pituitary pathology, in the setting of low, normal, or even slightly elevated serum TSH and low free thyroxine (FT4). We present four cases of central hypothyroidism (three had known pituitary pathology) in whom central hypothyroidism was diagnosed after the serum free thyroxine index (FTI) was found to be low. All had normal range serum TSH and free thyroxine levels. This report illustrates that the assessment of the serum FTI may be helpful in making the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism in the appropriate clinical setting and when free T4 is in the low-normal range, particularly in patients with multiple anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies and/or with symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism.
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Kim SY. Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypopituitarism. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2015; 30:443-55. [PMID: 26790380 PMCID: PMC4722397 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2015.30.4.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Revised: 09/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypopituitarism is a chronic endocrine illness that caused by varied etiologies. Clinical manifestations of hypopituitarism are variable, often insidious in onset and dependent on the degree and severity of hormone deficiency. However, it is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is necessary. Hypopituitarism can be easily diagnosed by measuring basal pituitary and target hormone levels except growth hormone (GH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. Dynamic stimulation tests are indicated in equivocal basal hormone levels and GH/ACTH deficiency. Knowledge of the use and limitations of these stimulation tests is mandatory for proper interpretation. It is necessary for physicians to inform their patients that they may require lifetime treatment. Hormone replacement therapy should be individualized according to the specific needs of each patient, taking into account possible interactions. Long-term endocrinological follow-up of hypopituitary patients is important to monitor hormonal replacement regimes and avoid under- or overtreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Yeon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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39
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Schoenmakers N, Alatzoglou KS, Chatterjee VK, Dattani MT. Recent advances in central congenital hypothyroidism. J Endocrinol 2015; 227:R51-71. [PMID: 26416826 PMCID: PMC4629398 DOI: 10.1530/joe-15-0341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Central congenital hypothyroidism (CCH) may occur in isolation, or more frequently in combination with additional pituitary hormone deficits with or without associated extrapituitary abnormalities. Although uncommon, it may be more prevalent than previously thought, affecting up to 1:16 000 neonates in the Netherlands. Since TSH is not elevated, CCH will evade diagnosis in primary, TSH-based, CH screening programs and delayed detection may result in neurodevelopmental delay due to untreated neonatal hypothyroidism. Alternatively, coexisting growth hormones or ACTH deficiency may pose additional risks, such as life threatening hypoglycaemia. Genetic ascertainment is possible in a minority of cases and reveals mutations in genes controlling the TSH biosynthetic pathway (TSHB, TRHR, IGSF1) in isolated TSH deficiency, or early (HESX1, LHX3, LHX4, SOX3, OTX2) or late (PROP1, POU1F1) pituitary transcription factors in combined hormone deficits. Since TSH cannot be used as an indicator of euthyroidism, adequacy of treatment can be difficult to monitor due to a paucity of alternative biomarkers. This review will summarize the normal physiology of pituitary development and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, then describe known genetic causes of isolated central hypothyroidism and combined pituitary hormone deficits associated with TSH deficiency. Difficulties in diagnosis and management of these conditions will then be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Schoenmakers
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research LaboratoriesWellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Level 4, PO Box 289, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UKDevelopmental Endocrinology Research GroupSection of Genetics and Epigenetics in Health and Disease, Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Kyriaki S Alatzoglou
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research LaboratoriesWellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Level 4, PO Box 289, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UKDevelopmental Endocrinology Research GroupSection of Genetics and Epigenetics in Health and Disease, Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - V Krishna Chatterjee
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research LaboratoriesWellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Level 4, PO Box 289, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UKDevelopmental Endocrinology Research GroupSection of Genetics and Epigenetics in Health and Disease, Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Mehul T Dattani
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research LaboratoriesWellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Level 4, PO Box 289, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UKDevelopmental Endocrinology Research GroupSection of Genetics and Epigenetics in Health and Disease, Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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40
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Hirata Y, Fukuoka H, Iguchi G, Iwahashi Y, Fujita Y, Hari Y, Iga M, Nakajima S, Nishimoto Y, Mukai M, Hirota Y, Sakaguchi K, Ogawa W, Takahashi Y. Median-lower normal levels of serum thyroxine are associated with low triiodothyronine levels and body temperature in patients with central hypothyroidism. Eur J Endocrinol 2015; 173:247-56. [PMID: 25994949 DOI: 10.1530/eje-15-0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although it has been recommended that serum free thyroxine (FT4) levels should be targeted to middle-upper normal levels during levothyroxine (l-T4) replacement therapy in patients with central hypothyroidism (CeH), the rationale has not been clarified. METHODS A retrospective single-center study enrolled 116 patients with hypothyroidism (CeH, n=32; total thyroidectomy (Tx), n=22; primary hypothyroidism (PH), n=33; and control benign thyroid nodule (C), n=29). The patients had received L-T4 therapy at the Kobe University Hospital between 2003 and 2013. They were stratified according to serum FT4 level (≥ 1.10 or <1.10 ng/dl), and body temperature (BT), serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels, FT3/FT4 ratio, and lipid profiles were compared. The effect of GH replacement therapy on thyroid function was also analyzed. RESULTS FT3 levels and FT3/FT4 ratios were significantly lower in patients with CeH than in patients with PH (P<0.05) or C (P<0.05). In patients with FT4 <1.10 ng/dl, BT was significantly lower in patients with CeH (P=0.002) and Tx (P=0.005) than in patients with PH, whereas no differences were found in patients with FT4 ≥ 1.10 ng/dl. In patients with CeH, FT3 levels were higher in those with GH replacement therapy (P=0.018). CONCLUSION In CeH, patients with median-lower normal levels of serum FT4 exhibited lower serum FT3 levels and lower BT. These results support the target levels of serum FT4 as middle-upper normal levels during l-T4 replacement therapy in patients with CeH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hirata
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hidenori Fukuoka
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Genzo Iguchi
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Iwahashi
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yasunori Fujita
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yusuke Hari
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Makiko Iga
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Nakajima
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yuki Nishimoto
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Miki Mukai
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yushi Hirota
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Sakaguchi
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Wataru Ogawa
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yutaka Takahashi
- Division of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, JapanDivision of Diabetes and EndocrinologyKobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
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Abstract
Central hypothyroidism (CH) is a rare cause of hypothyroidism generally related to a hypothalamic-pituitary disorder or arising as an iatrogenic complication. In adults, CH may be secondary to quantitative and/or qualitative alterations in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion. The disease is difficult to diagnose clinically because it lacks specific clinical signs and these may be masked by other anterior pituitary hormone secretion deficiencies. In patients with long-standing and marked CH, a diagnosis may be made based on low free T4 levels and normal, low or moderately increased TSH levels. In patients with early-stage or moderate CH, exploration of the circadian TSH cycle, determination of TSH response after a TRH test or recombinant TSH injection, estimation of TSH index, or evaluation of peripheral indexes of thyroid hormone metabolism may be required to establish a diagnosis. Regarding treatment, patients should receive levothyroxine replacement therapy, but hormone objectives during follow-up need to be precisely determined in order to reduce cardiovascular risks and to improve the quality of life of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Grunenwald
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, CHU Larrey, 24 chemin de Pouvourville, TSA 30030, 31059, Toulouse Cedex, France
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42
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Carosi G, Malchiodi E, Ferrante E, Sala E, Verrua E, Profka E, Giavoli C, Filopanti M, Beck-Peccoz P, Spada A, Mantovani G. Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis in Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenomas: Focus on the Prevalence of Isolated Central Hypoadrenalism. Neuroendocrinology 2015; 102:267-273. [PMID: 25924873 DOI: 10.1159/000430815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) account for about 40% of pituitary tumors. Pituitary deficiencies are present at diagnosis in 60-80% of NFPA, and, classically, growth hormone (GH) secretion is lost first, while adrenocorticotropic hormone is expected to disappear last. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of multiple or isolated pituitary deficiencies in a large series of NFPA. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data on 218 NFPA cases (59% females, 59% with macroadenomas, average age: 50.2 ± 17 years) followed up at our center from 1990 to 2013. At diagnosis all patients had a complete evaluation of pituitary function in basal conditions and provocative tests for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, while tests for GH deficiency (GHD) were carried out in 38%. RESULTS 52.3% of patients (65.6% of macroadenomas, 33.3% of microadenomas) presented at least 1 pituitary deficiency: isolated deficiency in 29.8%, multiple deficiencies in 30% and panhypopituitarism in 9%. Isolated deficiencies were hypogonadism in 11.5% of patients (8% in micro-, 14% in macroadenomas), hypoadrenalism in 10.1% (14% in micro-, 7% in macroadenomas) and GHD in 8.3% (8.9% in micro-, 7.8% in macroadenomas). About 30% of microadenomas had at least 1 pituitary deficiency at diagnosis, independently of tumor localization within the sellar region. CONCLUSIONS The presence of isolated hypoadrenalism suggests that the order of appearance of hypopituitarism does not always follow the one expected. Given the relatively high prevalence of isolated hypoadrenalism even in microadenomas, we suggest a full assessment of basal and dynamic pituitary function in all NFPA regardless of tumor size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Carosi
- Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Schmidt ME, Wiskemann J, Armbrust P, Schneeweiss A, Ulrich CM, Steindorf K. Effects of resistance exercise on fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Cancer 2014; 137:471-80. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martina E. Schmidt
- Division of Preventive Oncology; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
| | - Joachim Wiskemann
- Division of Medical Oncology; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and University Hospital Heidelberg; Heidelberg Germany
| | - Petra Armbrust
- Division of Medical Oncology; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and University Hospital Heidelberg; Heidelberg Germany
| | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- Division of Medical Oncology; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and University Hospital Heidelberg; Heidelberg Germany
| | - Cornelia M. Ulrich
- Division of Preventive Oncology; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
| | - Karen Steindorf
- Division of Preventive Oncology; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
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44
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Jonklaas J, Bianco AC, Bauer AJ, Burman KD, Cappola AR, Celi FS, Cooper DS, Kim BW, Peeters RP, Rosenthal MS, Sawka AM. Guidelines for the treatment of hypothyroidism: prepared by the american thyroid association task force on thyroid hormone replacement. Thyroid 2014; 24:1670-751. [PMID: 25266247 PMCID: PMC4267409 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2014.0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 939] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A number of recent advances in our understanding of thyroid physiology may shed light on why some patients feel unwell while taking levothyroxine monotherapy. The purpose of this task force was to review the goals of levothyroxine therapy, the optimal prescription of conventional levothyroxine therapy, the sources of dissatisfaction with levothyroxine therapy, the evidence on treatment alternatives, and the relevant knowledge gaps. We wished to determine whether there are sufficient new data generated by well-designed studies to provide reason to pursue such therapies and change the current standard of care. This document is intended to inform clinical decision-making on thyroid hormone replacement therapy; it is not a replacement for individualized clinical judgment. METHODS Task force members identified 24 questions relevant to the treatment of hypothyroidism. The clinical literature relating to each question was then reviewed. Clinical reviews were supplemented, when relevant, with related mechanistic and bench research literature reviews, performed by our team of translational scientists. Ethics reviews were provided, when relevant, by a bioethicist. The responses to questions were formatted, when possible, in the form of a formal clinical recommendation statement. When responses were not suitable for a formal clinical recommendation, a summary response statement without a formal clinical recommendation was developed. For clinical recommendations, the supporting evidence was appraised, and the strength of each clinical recommendation was assessed, using the American College of Physicians system. The final document was organized so that each topic is introduced with a question, followed by a formal clinical recommendation. Stakeholder input was received at a national meeting, with some subsequent refinement of the clinical questions addressed in the document. Consensus was achieved for all recommendations by the task force. RESULTS We reviewed the following therapeutic categories: (i) levothyroxine therapy, (ii) non-levothyroxine-based thyroid hormone therapies, and (iii) use of thyroid hormone analogs. The second category included thyroid extracts, synthetic combination therapy, triiodothyronine therapy, and compounded thyroid hormones. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that levothyroxine should remain the standard of care for treating hypothyroidism. We found no consistently strong evidence for the superiority of alternative preparations (e.g., levothyroxine-liothyronine combination therapy, or thyroid extract therapy, or others) over monotherapy with levothyroxine, in improving health outcomes. Some examples of future research needs include the development of superior biomarkers of euthyroidism to supplement thyrotropin measurements, mechanistic research on serum triiodothyronine levels (including effects of age and disease status, relationship with tissue concentrations, as well as potential therapeutic targeting), and long-term outcome clinical trials testing combination therapy or thyroid extracts (including subgroup effects). Additional research is also needed to develop thyroid hormone analogs with a favorable benefit to risk profile.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio C. Bianco
- Division of Endocrinology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Andrew J. Bauer
- Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kenneth D. Burman
- Endocrine Section, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
| | - Anne R. Cappola
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Francesco S. Celi
- Division of Endocrinology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - David S. Cooper
- Division of Endocrinology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brian W. Kim
- Division of Endocrinology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robin P. Peeters
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M. Sara Rosenthal
- Program for Bioethics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Anna M. Sawka
- Division of Endocrinology, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
Thyroid hormone deficiency can have important repercussions. Treatment with thyroid hormone in replacement doses is essential in patients with hypothyroidism. In this review, we critically discuss the thyroid hormone formulations that are available and approaches to correct replacement therapy with thyroid hormone in primary and central hypothyroidism in different periods of life such as pregnancy, birth, infancy, childhood, and adolescence as well as in adult patients, the elderly, and in patients with comorbidities. Despite the frequent and long term use of l-T4, several studies have documented frequent under- and overtreatment during replacement therapy in hypothyroid patients. We assess the factors determining l-T4 requirements (sex, age, gender, menstrual status, body weight, and lean body mass), the major causes of failure to achieve optimal serum TSH levels in undertreated patients (poor patient compliance, timing of l-T4 administration, interferences with absorption, gastrointestinal diseases, and drugs), and the adverse consequences of unintentional TSH suppression in overtreated patients. Opinions differ regarding the treatment of mild thyroid hormone deficiency, and we examine the recent evidence favoring treatment of this condition. New data suggesting that combined therapy with T3 and T4 could be indicated in some patients with hypothyroidism are assessed, and the indications for TSH suppression with l-T4 in patients with euthyroid multinodular goiter and in those with differentiated thyroid cancer are reviewed. Lastly, we address the potential use of thyroid hormones or their analogs in obese patients and in severe cardiac diseases, dyslipidemia, and nonthyroidal illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Biondi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery (B.B.), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; and Washington Hospital Center (L.W.), Washington, D.C. 20010
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Persani L, Bonomi M. Uncertainties in endocrine substitution therapy for central endocrine insufficiencies: hypothyroidism. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2014; 124:397-405. [PMID: 25248602 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-59602-4.00027-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
In patients with primary hypothyroidism (PH), L-T4 replacement therapy can safely be adjusted to the individual needs by testing serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentration exclusively. Central hypothyrodism (CeH) is a particular hypothyroid condition due to an insufficient stimulation by TSH of an otherwise normal thyroid gland. CeH is about 1000-fold rarer than PH and raises several challenges for clinicians, mainly because they cannot rely on the systematic use of the reflex TSH strategy for diagnosis or therapy monitoring. Therefore, L-T4 replacement in CeH should rely on the combined evaluation of several biochemical and clinical parameters in order to overcome the lack of accuracy of the single index. The management of CeH replacement is further complicated by the frequent combination with other pituitary deficiencies and their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, San Luca Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Marco Bonomi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, San Luca Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
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Klose M, Marina D, Hartoft-Nielsen ML, Klefter O, Gavan V, Hilsted L, Rasmussen AK, Feldt-Rasmussen U. Central hypothyroidism and its replacement have a significant influence on cardiovascular risk factors in adult hypopituitary patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2013; 98:3802-10. [PMID: 23796569 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-1610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Thyroid dysfunction may have detrimental effects on patient outcomes. Few studies have assessed this issue in patients with secondary hypothyroidism. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to test the hypothesis that thyroid hormone status has an impact on cardiovascular risk factors in adult patients with hypopituitarism. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a retrospective observational study (1993-2012) at a tertiary referral university hospital. PATIENTS All GH-deficient patients starting GH replacement (1993-2009) with measured free T4 (fT4) (n = 208). Baseline fT4 defined patients as TSH-sufficient and TSH-deficient (further divided into tertiles according to baseline fT4; first tertile had lowest fT4). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anthropometric (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, total fat (fat mass) and lean body mass [LBM]) and biochemical (lipids and fasting plasma glucose) data were collected at baseline and a median 4.1 years after commencement of GH. RESULTS At baseline, fT4 was negatively associated with BMI and waist circumference, but positively with high-density lipoprotein, independent of age, gender, and IGF-I (SD score). Only first-tertile TSH-deficient patients had higher BMI (P = .02), fat mass (P = .03), total cholesterol (P = .05), triglycerides (P < .01), and waist circumference (P = .01), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = .03) as compared with TSH-sufficient patients. At follow-up, IGF-I, LBM, and plasma glucose had increased in all subgroups (P < .01). The change in fT4 (ΔfT4) (follow-up - baseline) was negatively correlated to ΔBMI, ΔLBM, Δtotal cholesterol, and Δlow-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P < .05, adjusted for ΔIGF-I and ΔGH and hydrocortisone dose). The negative correlation to Δtotal cholesterol and Δlow-density lipoprotein cholesterol persisted only in first-tertile TSH-deficient patients. CONCLUSION This single-center study over a 20-year period has strengthened the importance of improved awareness of thyroid status and optimal thyroid replacement of hypopituitary patients to reduce cardiovascular risks in hypopituitary patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Klose
- Department of Medical Endocrinology, PE2131, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Kim JW, Kim ES, Kim W, Kim YD, Mo EY, Moon SD, Han JH. A case of Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome associated with central hypothyroidism and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Hormones (Athens) 2013; 12:461-5. [PMID: 24121388 DOI: 10.1007/bf03401312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
A diagnosis of central hypothyroidism (CH) can be missed easily or delayed without a high index of suspicion due to normal or slightly altered thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels during the initial screening test for thyroid dysfunction. A correct diagnosis of CH is very important for safely treating patients. Specifically, doctors must ensure a proper evaluation of combined adrenal insufficiency to prevent a fatal adrenal crisis. Here we report a case of CH combined with secondary adrenal insufficiency in a 42-year-old woman with Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome, which is a rare neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Wook Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Viniol A, Bösner S, Baum E, Donner-Banzhoff N. Forgotten drugs: long-term prescriptions of thyroid hormones - a cross-sectional study. Int J Gen Med 2013; 6:329-34. [PMID: 23641158 PMCID: PMC3639717 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s43187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thyroid hormones are among the most prescribed drugs in Germany. Although iodine supply has been improving in the last decade, annual prescriptions for thyroid hormones are rising. The aim of this study was to provide prevalence of thyroid hormone prescribing and to explore reasons for thyroid hormone prescription in primary care settings. Study design A cross-sectional study. Methods Data collection took place in six general practitioner (GP) practices in Hesse, Germany. We used the records of six GP practices to estimate prevalence of thyroid hormone prescribing. All patients who received a prescription of the active ingredient levotyroxine during the preceding 3 months were mailed a study invitation. A proportion of the identified patients were interviewed. In addition, demographical data and all medical findings related to thyroid disease were recorded. Results On average, 9.2% (SD 4.6) of all patients from participating practices were taking thyroid hormones. The majority were female (82.5%). In 47.7% of the study participants, the GP’s diagnosis, according to their records, was nonexistent. In 13.6% of cases, the documentation of the diagnostic information was incomplete. While 25% of interviewed patients with high educational background initiated further diagnostic investigation, only 4.4% of the patients with lower education did so. Conclusion In the majority of patients treated with thyroid hormones, doctors had not documented the precise indication for prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Viniol
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Filipsson Nyström H, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Kourides I, Popovic V, Koltowska-Häggström M, Jonsson B, Johannsson G. The metabolic consequences of thyroxine replacement in adult hypopituitary patients. Pituitary 2012; 15:495-504. [PMID: 22038030 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-011-0356-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The metabolic consequences of thyroxine replacement in patients with central hypothyroidism (CH) need to be evaluated. The aim was to examine the outcome of thyroxine replacement in CH. Adult hypopituitary patients (n = 1595) with and without CH from KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database) were studied before and after 2 years of GH replacement. CH patients (CH, n = 1080) were compared with TSH sufficient patients (TSHsuff n = 515) as one group and divided by thyroxine dose/kg/day into tertiles (CHlow-mid-high). Anthropometry, fasting glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, lipids, IGF-I SDS, quality of life and morbidity were studied. Analyses were standardized for gender, age, number and types of pituitary insufficiencies, stimulated GH peak, age at GH deficiency onset, aetiologies and, when appropriate, for weight and GH dose. At baseline, TSHsuff patients did not differ from CH or CHmid in any outcome. CHlow (≤ 1.18 μg thyroxine/kg/day) had increased weight, BMI and larger waist circumference (WC), CHhigh (≥ 1.58 μg thyroxine/kg/day) had lower weight, BMI, WC and IGF-I than TSHsuff and compared to their predicted weights, BMIs and WCs. For every 0.1 μg/kg/day increase of thyroxine dose, body weight decreased 1.0 kg, BMI 0.3 kg/m(2), and WC 0.65 cm. The GH sensitivity of the CH group was higher (0.76 ± 0.56 SDS/mg GH) than that of TSHsuff patients (0.58 ± 0.64 SDS/mg GH), P < 0.001. The middle thyroxine dose (1.19-1.57 μg/kg/day) seems to be the most physiological. This is equivalent to 70, 100, 125 μg thyroxine/day for hypopituitary patients of 50, 70 or 90 kg weight, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Filipsson Nyström
- Departments of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gröna Stråket 8, SE-41345 Göteborg, Sweden.
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