Endocrinology
Physician discussions on diabetes management, thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic conditions.
Recent Discussions
How do you counsel patients with elevated Thyroglobulin Peroxidase antibody levels, diffuse thyroiditis features on ultrasound, non-specific symptoms of fatigue, but normal biochemical thyroid function labs?
Assuming this is a female patient and TSH and free T4 are both quite normal, the patient does have asymptomatic Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The fatigue is unrelated to the thyroiditis. She will need periodic monitoring of TSH and thyroid supplementation only if the TSH is high on two measurements.Howev...
Aside from adrenal insufficiency and thyroid toxicities, how do you approach other hormonal imbalances during treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors?
A systematic review (Barroso-Sousa et al., PMID 28973656) indicated that hypophysitis can occur in 3.2% of patients treated with ipilimumab (Yervoy) and this increased to 6.4% when combined with nivolumab (Opdivo). Obviously, adrenal and thyroid functions need to be assessed first but other function...
When and how should we be stopping GLP-1 Receptor Agonist/Dual Agonist therapy?
I usually continue for 3-4 years, the tapering down slowly over 1 year period, buy then the set point for energy expenditure and appetite likely is changed.
Do you still consider changing atypical antipsychotics that are working well in children undergoing puberty if the prolactin levels are high but there are no symptoms of drug-induced hyperprolactinemia?
I consider the risk of osteoporosis if I believe it may be used long-term, even if asymptomatic. Typically, I warn parents of the risk but continue the medication if the prolactin is only mildly elevated. I find it rare to find an adult patient who is taking the same drugs they did in adolescence. L...
Do you recommend early oral nutrition when managing diabetic ketoacidosis?
There are many benefits to starting enteral feedings in patients undergoing treatment for DKA. Once insulin is being infused, the use of enteral nutrition will help suppress ongoing ketosis. Also, restarting nutrition will help prevent weight loss during recovery. Of course, some patients have condi...
When do you recommend the use of oral testosterone replacement over injectable testosterone?
Oral testosterone was approved by the FDA for men who have low testosterone levels due to specific medical conditions, such as genetic disorders like Klinefelter syndrome or pituitary conditions causing damage to the pituitary gland.
How should we approach the management of PCOS in transgender men seeking virilization?
Manage metabolic aspects only by controlling risk factors for CVD, OSA, fatty liver disease.
How would you approach a finding of osteoporosis (Z score -4.5) in a recently postpartum patient who had DEXA sent for long-term low-dose glucocorticoid use?
Ensure adequate calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium. I would check the PTH level and a 24-hour urine for calcium and creatinine.
What treatment options would you consider for a young patient with limited mobility, low bone mass and multiple vertebral compression fractures who is on dialysis for advanced kidney disease?
There are a lot of variables to this question. I would worry that the person may have a variant of OI (osteogenesis imperfecta) or some other collage problem and then add renal failure to the mix. I would try to establish the causes of each problem first such as steroid induced bone disease or a bon...
How do you approach long term management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in patients who develop osteonecrosis of the jaw on antiresorptive agent?
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a rare complication of anti-resorptives with the exception of high doses used for cancer patients. Teriparatide (TPTD) has been anecdotally reported to assist in healing of ONJ. The patient described remains on glucocorticoids and is at very high risk for fracture, especi...