Endocrinology
Physician discussions on diabetes management, thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic conditions.
Recent Discussions
Would you order a repeat DEXA scan 1 year later for a kidney transplant patient who had an initial DEXA scan within the first 6 months post-transplant showing osteopenia but no history of fractures, and who has been stable on glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive therapy?
I agree with Dr. @Dr. First Last. Bone metabolism in renal transplant is woefully shy of good data. My opinion is to monitor Vitamin D levels, provide appropriate supplementation, and monitor PTH levels, using cinacalcet as needed. My target level for PTH is 1-2x the upper limit of normal, also base...
For non-functional pituitary macroadenomas, how effective has cabergoline been in reducing tumor size or preventing the need for surgery?
There is some literature suggesting that a modest effect is seen in preventing tumor regrowth in previously operated NFPA (Treatment of clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas with dopamine agonists). The data on primary therapy is less convincing.Topic reviewed recently in Pharmacological Trea...
Given the new 2022 WHO classification of pituitary tumors, should we be regularly counseling our patients about the risk of malignancy for what we previously referred to as pituitary adenomas but now classified as pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs)?
Absolutely not. Metastatic pituitary adenomas are exceedingly rare. The term PitNet is unnecessarily alarming for patients with these benign disorders and also does not provide a clinically relevant outcome classification. Accordingly, The Pituitary Society has not adopted the term PitNet and prefer...
Would you evaluate for an ectopic source in a patient with persistently elevated IGF-1 level but no clinical features of acromegaly or evidence of pituitary abnormalities?
Is this an IGF-1 drawn in the same lab? This may be falsely elevated. If so, I would repeat in a different lab or confirm/rule out acromegaly diagnosis by glucose suppression test. If the diagnosis is confirmed, measurement of GHRH to rule out a GHRH-secreting NET would be the next step.
Has your management of severe hyponatremia changed after a recent observational study described higher in-hospital mortality for sodium correction of <6 mEq/L compared to 6-10 mEq/L in the first 24 hours?
In short, no. I think the recent studies tell me two things: We need to better discriminate correction rates based on the risk of osmotic demyelination (ODS). Perhaps, do not worry so much about over-correction. They do not tell me to start rapidly correcting patients, and I guess I will summarize m...
Do you start a statin concurrently with icosapent ethyl for patients with moderate hypertriglyceridemia and high ASCVD risk, or do you prefer to start a statin alone and monitor triglyceride levels?
Statin therapy can lower TGs modestly (up to 20%) and are the first line therapy for ASCVD risk reduction. Therefore I usually initiate statin therapy first and reassess lipids prior to considering use of icosapent ethyl. Additionally IPE adds pill burden (need to take 4 g a day), so I prefer to wai...
What is your approach to IV fluid management for the treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy?
At this point, I believe one can use either saline or lactated Ringer's. There is some evidence that low-chloride-containing solutions have advantages in general, which may well be the case, but we need more data on that. The amount of calcium in LR is very small and should not make a difference (1....
When, if ever, is it appropriate to switch from generic levothyroxine to brand name Synthroid?
There is almost never a need to switch from the generic Levothyroxine to a brand name if the patient is doing well and the TSH level is at target. However, if the patient is not doing well (complaining of symptoms, like feeling tired) and the TSH level is not at target, one needs to make sure that t...
What is the next best osteoporosis treatment option for patients who completed 2 years of teriparatide, but has contraindication to bisphosphosnate therapy (e.g. history of atypical femur fracture)?
I have successfully treated several patients with bisphosphonate-induced subtrochanteric femoral fractures with Forteo. However, before initiating another antiresorptive therapy, I first want to be sure that the Forteo at the desired effect on bone remodeling by increasing both bone formation and bo...
How do you approach managing patients with diabetic kidney disease and proteinuria who develop hypoglycemia after initiation of a SGLT2 inhibitor?
I would first determine if there are other medications the patient is on that reduce the blood glucose. Hypoglycemia with SGLT-2 inhibitors is usually due to something else. Another medication is most likely. Could be very poor dietary intake. Could lower the dose if not on the lowest available dose...