Endocrinology
Physician discussions on diabetes management, thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic conditions.
Recent Discussions
Are there specific populations with hypothyroidism for whom you would consider adding liothyronine to levothyroxine therapy, given observational data linking levothyroxine therapy alone to higher risks of dementia and mortality?
At this time, there is not enough evidence to routinely add T3 to Levothyroxine for the treatment of Hypothyroidism. Although there is the observational study mentioned above, the authors themselves have stated that further studies are needed to confirm the cognitive and mortality benefits of adding...
Is a baseline cortisol at 0 minutes necessary to do as part of an ACTH stimulation test when performing the test in late morning or in the afternoon?
The peak cortisol value after 250 μg cosyntropin changes a little based on when it is done. We see a bigger delta cortisol if it is done in the afternoon. One may omit the baseline cortisol to cut back on costs or if there is a time constraint (avoiding going to the lab and then coming back for an i...
Do you recommend checking plasma metanephrine levels during adrenal venous sampling to assist in assessing lateralization in primary aldosteronism?
I have not concluded yet that the measurement helps with lateralization. At this point, the best use of measuring plasma metanephrines or androstenedione in patients with hypercortisolism and bilateral adrenal pathology is to confirm accurate adrenal vein catheterization. In my opinion, the literatu...
Do you recommend treating a macroprolactinoma that is acutely undergoing spontaneous apoplexy with dopaminergic agents?
In such a case, the prolactin may decrease on its own, so I would wait to start a dopamine agonist and check for other pituitary hormone deficiencies and monitor prolactin every 2-3 months.
Do you recommend the use of SGLT2 inhibitors to reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus?
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) can be found in about 30% of adults in the U.S. Diabetes is a significant co-morbidity and increases the risk of progression to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). I calculate a FIB-4 index in these patients to see...
What degree of prolactin elevation is typically seen in patients with end stage kidney disease on hemodialysis?
Usually, less than 50, rarely 50-100. If it is higher than 100, one should look for another cause of hyperprolactinemia.
Can cinacalcet be used short-term to manage hypercalcemia from tertiary hyperparathyroidism in advanced CKD while awaiting parathyroidectomy?
Yes, cinacalcet can be effective to manage hypercalcemia in CKD-induced hyperparathyroidism.
How far in advance of a nuclear medicine thyroid update and scan should thionamides be discontinued and does this duration vary based on radio-isotope used (i.e. technetium versus RAI 123)?
The length of time I hold the thionamide depends on the nature of the underlying thyroid disease rather than the isotope used. If the patient is mildly hyperthyroid or well-controlled on low-dose thionamide (such as in a toxic nodule or toxic MNG), then I will hold the medication longer (1-2 weeks)....
How should PCOS be addressed after menopause?
I approach all patients with PCOs by assessing their risks and their main concerns. Premenopausal women are frequently concerned about irregular menses, infertility and hyperandrogen symptoms. For post menopausal women, the hyperandrogen symptoms continue and I will manage with spironolactone, consi...
Is there any evidence that spironolactone or finasteride therapy increase blood levels of testosterone?
Yes. It seems that both medications can do this at least in the short term. Spironolactone's effect may be more temporary.For spironolactone, an older article: Tidd et al., PMID 152681For finasteride: Stanczyk et al., PMID 23474436