Endocrinology

While its base is the same as currently used tests for thyroid cancer a new approach is looking to redefine the specificity and exclusivity to help patients get a better idea of their condition.

New research finds that low testosterone levels are strongly associated with low bone density (BMD) - even in relatively young men.

Patients being tested for thyroid cancer want to know they are receiving the most accurate information possible following the test. A new method could help provide both answers for patients and direction for doctors about the best course of action.

A new analysis has found that low levels of vitamin D are independently associated with low levels of testosterone in healthy middle-aged men.

Diabetes can be a difficult condition for patients to manage no matter how old they are, but it can be especially difficult during adolescence. A recent study looked at whether taking care of a water-loving friend could actually help young patients with diabetes take better care of themselves.

Treatment for patients who are obese or overweight have seen significant improvements in treatment options over the past decade, but there is still much ore work to be done.

Non-viral gene therapy can temporarily reduce painful diabetic neuropathy, according to research from Northwestern Medicine.

Results from a Japanese study show that testosterone replacement therapy may improve nocturia, sleep conditions, and quality of life among men with hypogonadism and nocturia.

In a global community it can be just as important for doctors to remember where their patients come from as where they are now. Understanding different cultures can help provide care to all segments of the population.

A considerable amount of progress has been made in treating diabetes this year both for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The approval of new medications and potential devices in the future have made for a bright outlook for patients.

Hormone therapy has proven a very effective option for many women during menopause but there has also been some evidence that it can increase the likelihood of bleeding disorders. A recent study looked at the link between the two.

A low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test is more sensitive in patients with cases of mild hypoadrenalism, and the high-dose test often misses secondary hypoadrenalism due to pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction. Endocrinologists still debate test result interpretation for the low-dose test, however.

Dietary trans fatty acids have had their heyday and are fading from the American food landscape. Once ubiquitous in margarine, snack food, packaged baked goods, and fried fast food, they have been associated with adverse effects on lipid profiles, metabolic function, insulin resistance, inflammation, and cardiac and general health.

In previous studies, regular breakfast consumption has been correlated with lower BMI and improved cardiometabolic risk profile. Furthermore, evidence suggests that low-energy density, high-fiber, and high-carbohydrate foods may be more satiating when compared to their alternatives.

Although some studies have hinted at a possible role for metformin in pain management, a recent investigation found no difference in pain scores among diabetic patients who used metformin and those who did not

Study results show that a capsule-free preparation of pancreatin gastro-resistant granules is a safe and effective treatment for young children with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis.

The days of patients requesting stacks of paper medical records being sent to a new healthcare professional are largely over in many places. How the information is transmitted and who gets to see that information is now a topic of discussion in the community.

Epidemiological studies have provided conflicting evidence regarding the impact of dietary cholesterol and egg consumption on heart disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Also controversial is the idea that dietary cholesterol may contribute to the very development of T2DM by altering glucose metabolism. Given the significant influence of diet on diabetes management, the lack of conclusive evidence on this subject emphasizes the need for further study.

The Paleolithic (grain-free) diet is gathering steam among dieters and health conscious individuals alike. Proponents consume only items that, hypothetically, cavemen would have had access to. They claim that modern man can't metabolize comparatively new types of food, and our reliance on processed foods has increased rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

The field of electronic health records has made big advancements in recent years but there is still more work to be done. How that work is done will depend on input not only from the healthcare field but also the patients who use it.

Insurers, regulators and statisticians have long contended that where patients undergo weight loss surgery can be as important as who performs it. A skilled, experienced bariatric surgeon will only perform optimally and patients will only receive ideal post-op care if the center in which he or she works is well-equipped.

Many hospitals around the country are eliminating their paper records all together which is changing the way patient records are shared. This can have a long reach into a patient's life as different parts of their lives depend on having their records to send to various entities.

Now that it has been shown that more control can be given to patients in regards to their electronic health records, the question becomes whether it should be done and how it should be done.

When converting medical records into an electronic form most of the work can be done without much consideration. However, when it comes to observations and other notes by healthcare professionals, how they are included and made available to patients can present the need for more in depth thought.

When deciding how or even if to give patients access to their medical records, a recent study found there are many areas that need to be considered before the access is made available.

When given the choice of what parts of their records patients wanted made available to healthcare professionals, the results showed a mixed reaction to the ability. There were also questions raised about the risks associated with only making the records available to certain people.

Having one of the oldest electronic health record systems in the country the state of Indiana has been at the forefront of the field for close to 30 years. Using those records and networks in the state a group from the Regenstrief Institute looked at how patients might want to control who can see their records.

Under the direction of the CNS 7 teams from around the country are looking at best practices for nursing homes in their area. The groups are then pooling their information to see what can be done to improve the life of patients in these facilities and others like them.

People are living well into their 70's and beyond, and as a result the medical community as a whole is being asked to tackle new challenges. This is especially true for nursing homes where patients can require a variety of care on a given day.

Nursing homes across the country have been operating with the same procedures for many years. While a new way of approaching care may take some getting used to and have some initial costs the end result could be beneficial in the long run.