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General Endocrinology

News, opinions and meeting coverage in endocrinology.

Victoza Accused of Causing Pancreatitis

The watchdog group Public Citizen has conducted its own analysis of FDA adverse event reports and concluded that the type 2 diabetes drug liraglutide(Victoza) likely causes pancreatitis, the group said.

Small eGFR Drops May Predict Kidney Outcomes

Declines in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) smaller than those that currently attract clinical attention may help predict the risk of end-stage renal disease, researchers reported.

Edible Dynamite, Cockney Rhyming Medical Slang: That's Improbable!

A weekly report from our friends at Improbable Research.

AUA Offers Guidance for Kidney Stones

ORLANDO -- Treatment tailored to individual patient and stone characteristics provides the basis for an American Urological Association clinical guideline on medical management of kidney stones.

'Bulletproof' Coffee May Hike Lipids

LAS VEGAS -- Spiking coffee with butter and coconut oil -- a concoction known as "bulletproof coffee" -- may be boosting hyperlipidemia in otherwise healthy patients, researchers said here.

'Thyroid' Issues May Really Be Hypothalamic

LAS VEGAS -- Obese patients who continue to have "thyroid symptoms" even when their levels are normalized may have a hypothalamic dysfunction, researchers reported here.

Hypoglycemia at Night Tied to Arrhythmias

Nocturnal hypoglycemia was a major risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias in type 2 diabetes patients who were already at an increased risk for cardiovascular events, according to British researchers.

FDA Panel Says Yes to Inhaled Insulin Device

HYATTSVILLE, Md. -- An FDA advisory panel has voted in favor of approving a new inhaled insulin device, Afrezza, as a short-acting treatment to improve glycemic control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Small, Frequent Meals Don't Rev Metabolism

Dieters are often told to eat small, frequent meals instead of two or three bigger meals a day to shed extra pounds, but eating this way does not boost metabolism and may increase cardiovascular disease risk, researchers found.

Higher BMI May Be Better for Older Adults

Adults over 65 at the high end of the healthy body mass index range were at lower risk of mortality, and those at the low end were at highest risk, according to a recent meta-analysis.

Abbott Continues Glucose Meter Recall

Abbott Diabetes Care is continuing its recall of FreeStyle and FreeStyle Flash blood glucose meters because of the potential for erroneous low blood sugar readings, the company said.

Vitamin D Blog: Cutting Edema in Athletes' Bones

Vitamin D supplementation might help professional athletes who are being treated for bone marrow edema with bisphosphonates, according to a new study.

FDA OKs Northera for Hypotension

The FDA has approved droxidopa (Northera) for the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, a rare disease that results in a drop in blood pressure when patients try to stand up.

Tamoxifen Found in Bodybuilding Supplement

British researchers have found tamoxifen in supplements used by bodybuilders -- an active ingredient that isn't clearly labeled on the bottle.

Levoxyl Returns, But Will Patients Switch Back?

After being recalled about a year ago for unusual odors, Levoxyl is set to come back on the market in March, but clinicians may not be inclined to switch back, some experts said.

New Guideline Lowers eGFR for Dialysis Start

New Canadian guidelines suggest that nephrologists can wait to start dialysis in some chronic kidney disease patients until their estimated glomerular filtration rate drops below the 10 to 12 mL/min now commonly used.

Tandem Expands Leaky Insulin Cartridge Recall

Tandem Diabetes has expanded a recall of insulin cartridges for its t:slim Insulin Pump that run the risk of leaking, the company said in a statement.

Bodybuilders Bulk Up Using ... Cancer Drugs?

While steroids are all-stars among performance-enhancing drugs, breast cancer drugs are a lesser-known staple of doping regimens, as are some investigational agents that aren't available on any regulated market.

11 Endocrinology Apps for Docs' Toolboxes

Even if endocrinologists aren't already suggesting smartphone apps to their patients, they've likely been asked to offer up recommendations. Here's a list of 11 apps you should know about.

FDA Rules Differ for OTC vs. POC Glucose Monitors

The FDA has released two draft guidances that establish a line between over-the-counter and point-of-care blood glucose monitors.

Testosterone Level Affects Flu Shot Response

Men with high testosterone and a certain genetic cluster may not experience an antibody response after a flu shot, researchers suggested -- a finding that could affect men taking prescription testosterone.

OTC Thyroid 'Boosters' May Harm

Patients who take over-the-counter supplements that promise to enhance thyroid function may get more than they bargained for, endocrinologists warn.

Antidepressant Dressed Up for Menopause

One drug company can now brag about a nonhormonal option for menopausal hos flashes. But Brisdelle is just an old drug dressed up in a new feminine name and packaging -- it's the antidepressant paroxetine, better known by its brand name, Paxil.

B12 Deficiency Tied to Reflux Medications

Vitamin B12 deficiency is significantly more likely among patients taking prescription medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease, researchers found.

Post-Menopause Brain Drain Tied to Progesterone

Estrogen levels after menopause may have no impact on cognitive function, but progesterone levels might, researchers found.

Bone Density Higher in Blacks, Vitamin D Lower

Black Americans had lower levels of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D and vitamin D-binding protein than whites, but similar levels of bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and higher bone density.

Testosterone Levels: Middle Range Best in Old Age

Older men whose natural testosterone levels were in the middle range tended to live longer than those with the highest and lowest levels, a study found.

Combo Angiotensin Tx Ups Kidney Risks

ATLANTA -- In yet another trial, dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAAS) didn't slow progression of kidney disease in diabetic patients and carried a higher risk of serious adverse events compared with monotherapy, researchers reported here.

Combo Drug Qsymia Tops for Weight Loss

Overweight people who took the phentermine/topiramate combination diet drug Qsymia lost more weight than people taking a placebo or either drug alone in an industry-funded study.

Hyperthyroid Drugs Tied to Birth Defects

SAN JUAN -- Two of the most commonly used drugs for treating hyperthyroidism were linked to birth defects when used in early pregnancy, though they have differing effects, researchers reported here.

TSH Suppression: More Harm Than Good After Cancer Surgery?

SAN JUAN -- Suppressing thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) after thyroidectomy for low-risk cancer increases the risk of osteoporosis in women without cutting back on cancer recurrence, researchers reported here.

Daytime Snoozing May Tell Risk of Hypoglycemia

Older patients with diabetes who are overly tired during the day may be at a higher risk for hypoglycemia, researchers reported.

Effects of Early Puberty in Girls Persist as Adults

Women with a history of idiopathic precocious puberty had increased rates of clinical hyperandrogenism, but fertility was normal in adulthood among those who had been treated for the condition, a cross-sectional study found.

Low E Not Low T May Be the Problem

Some symptoms traditionally attributed to low testosterone may actually be due to estrogen deficiency, researchers found.

In Some Patients Metformin Impairs Thinking

The widely acclaimed diabetes drug metformin was linked with impaired brain function in patients who took the drug, although supplementation with vitamin B12 may alleviate metformin-induced deficiencies, according to new research.

Antidepressants Have No Effect on Bone Loss

The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants among women in midlife didn't lead to a greater rate of bone loss, a prospective cohort study found.

Xenical Helps PCOS Patients Slim Down

Lifestyle changes plus the weight-loss drug orlistat (Xenical) helped women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) shed pounds, leading to metabolic improvements, researchers found.

Vitamin D, IGF-1, Growth Hormone Have Deep Ties

Vitamin D and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are involved in a complex interplay that may have implications for growth hormone dosing, researchers found.

Growth Hormone May Boost Heart Function, Too

Giving growth hormone to deficient patients with chronic heart failure may slow progression of the condition, researchers found.

FDA Goes After Fake Diabetes Therapies

The FDA has sent letters to 15 companies warning them to stop marketing products that falsely claim to treat diabetes, the agency announced.

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