Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0015672 (fatigue)
51,768 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Since 1988, when a retrospective study of patients attending this unit was published, we have advocated the use of the short synacthen test (SST) as the primary screening investigation to detect ACTH deficiency. However, others have published comparisons of SST and insulin tolerance tests that suggest a significant false negative rate with SST, leading to concern that some patients who pass the SST are in danger from the clinical consequences of ACTH deficiency. To address this, we audited biochemical results and clinical outcome in 63 patients who did not have ACTH deficiency detected (i.e. who passed the test) by SST after pituitary surgery. Twelve of the 63 patients who passed a SST after pituitary surgery became ACTH-deficient later as diagnosed by SST: 4 within the first year, 2 of whom had received postoperative radiotherapy (3 had symptoms of tiredness and 1 was admitted to the hospital with a viral infection); 8 in yr 3-5, 7 of whom had received postoperative radiotherapy (all had either no symptoms or symptoms of tiredness alone). Thus, the predictive value of the SST in excluding ACTH deficiency is approximately 97% (2 of 63 patients who initially passed the SST were found to be ACTH-deficient within 12 months without having received postoperative radiotherapy). Only 1 patient was ill enough to require hospital admission. Setting the risk of false negatives with SST against the morbidity and manpower implications associated with insulin tolerance tests, SST remains the primary screening test for ACTH deficiency in our practice. However, a high index of clinical suspicion to detect false negative results must be maintained.
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PMID:Ten years on: Safety of short synacthen tests in assessing adrenocorticotropin deficiency in clinical practice. 1272 62

Hypothyroidism with thyroglobulin antibodies during corticoid replacement in a 54-year-old man with isolated ACTH deficiency. HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 54-year-old previously healthy man was admitted because of fatigue, tiredness, diarrhoea and weight loss for the last 3 years. Physical examination revealed dry but normally pigmented skin and markedly reduced Achilles reflex bilaterally. INVESTIGATIONS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was slightly elevated at 32 mm/h, C-reactive protein was normal. Both haemoglobin (12.4 mg/dl) and the corpuscular indices were normal, as were serum electrolytes, and sodium bicarbonate. But basal levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, 8.5 mU/ml) was markedly elevated, while free peripheral triiodothyronine (3.2pg/ml) was normal and free thyroxine (fT4) at 0.7 ng/d was slightly reduced. Thyroid ultrasound was normal. Test for antinuclear antibodies was slightly positive, but double-strand DNA was not demonstrated. Antithyroglobulin antibodies were slightly raised to 1012 IU/ml (normal <350). The basic level of ACTH was repeatedly below detection, as were plasma cortisol and cortisol excretion in 24-hour urine. Nuclear magnetic imaging was normal. Failure to stimulate corticol synthesis in the short ACTH test and by CRH indicated an isolated ACTH deficiency at the level of the anterior pituitary, while other hypophyseal functions were unaffected. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The patient"s condition rapidly improved on replacement with hydrocortisone, 30 mg/d, and thyroxine, 100 mg/d. No thyroglobulin antibodies or antinuclear antibodies were demonstrable after 6 months. Thyroxine was discontinued after 15 months. Frequent monitoring of thyroid function over the next 2 years always indicated a euthyroid state. CONCLUSION: Subnormal concentration of peripheral thyroid hormone combined with elevated TSH levels can, in the presence of hypercorticolism, be due to reversible abnormal thyroid function.
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PMID:[Hypothyreoidism with thyroglobulin antibodies during corticoid replacement in a 54-year-old man with isolated ACTH deficiency] 1275 Oct 16

We report a case of a 37-yr-old man with a 11-yr history of Crohn's disease (CD), who presented with mucous diarrheas of 1-week duration and a 3-month history of anorexia, increasing fatigue and weight loss of 7 kg. The patient was treated with sulfasalazine 3 g/day until 2 weeks prior to the present admission, when he reduced the dose to half as he considered the drug responsible for his symptoms. Despite aggressive iv rehydration and resolution of diarrheas with an increase in sulfasalazine dose, the patient remained hemodynamically unstable, while laboratory results showed anemia, hypoglycemia, hypertransaminasemia and hyponatremia with marked natriuresis. Thyroid function tests were consistent with primary hypothyroidism, without evidence of autoimmunity. Further laboratory investigation revealed a low basal cortisol and undetectable ACTH with preserved secretory responses of the other trophic pituitary hormones, establishing the diagnosis of isolated ACTH deficiency. Hydrocortisone replacement treatment induced a clinical and laboratory improvement. The autoimmune basis of isolated ACTH deficiency is discussed in association with the presumed contribution of immunologic reactions in the pathogenesis of CD. However more evidence is needed before isolated ACTH deficiency is added to the list of extraintestinal manifestations of CD.
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PMID:Isolated ACTH deficiency associated with Crohn's disease. 1576 46

A 76-year-old man was first referred to his local hospital at the beginning of August 2005 with nausea and vomiting, and was admitted on August 15 with progressive fatigue of unknown etiology. Gastrointestinal examination was performed, but no obvious abnormalities were detected in the upper or lower digestive tract. Hematology tests also revealed no abnormalities, except for slight eosinophilia. He developed depression and was given an antidepressant agent. After suffering from hyponatremia and disorientation, he was subsequently admitted to our hospital on August 28. At that time, serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels were low, while both the ACTH and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) stress tests showed no response. Other stress tests revealed normal responses, so he was given a diagnosis isolated ACTH deficiency and received corticosteroid therapy. In summary, we report an elderly case of isolated ACTH deficiency with nonspecific initial manifestations such as nausea, fatigue, and depression.
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PMID:[Elderly case of isolated ACTH deficiency presenting with depression and digestive symptoms]. 1733 64

Isolated ACTH deficiency is an uncommon cause of secondary adrenocortical insufficiency and accompaniment with primary empty sella has been reported in several cases. We present a case of isolated ACTH deficiency associated with empty sella. A sixty-two year old woman was admitted to our endocrine clinic with complaints of weakness, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite for about one month. Physical examination indicated orthostatic hypotension and epigastric tenderness. Laboratory investigations revealed hypoglycemia, hyponatremia and anemia, in addition low plasma cortisole and ACTH levels. Serum cortisole responses to short and prolonged ACTH stimulation were tested and partial and accurate responses were obtained, respectively. Plasma ACTH and serum cortisole levels failed to respond after intravenous injection of human corticotropin releasing hormone. Other hypophysial hormone levels were within the normal reference ranges. Although cranial and abdominal computerized tomography images were evaluated as normal, cranial magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary gland revealed 'primary empty sella turcica'. Replacement therapy with methylprednisolon resulted in the improvement of hypoglycemia, hyponatremia and clinical symptoms. Based on these results, the patient was diagnosed as isolated ACTH deficiency and was scheduled for follow up by our outpatient clinic. Our report is consistent with other reports pointing out that primary empty sella may be responsible for pathogenesis of isolated ACTH deficiency.
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PMID:May primary empty sella turcica be a cause of isolated ACTH deficiency? A case report and the review of related literature. 1806 31

A 54-year-old woman came to our endocrinology clinics presenting with upper and lower extremity paresthesia, salt cravings, episodes of hypotension, fatigue and a long term history of depression. Physical exam was unremarkable. Cervical and brain MRI ordered by her neurologist three years ago revealed sella and pituitary normal in size, stable very small 3 mm pituitary incidentaloma and mild disc bulging. Basal pituitary hormonal screening showed low cortisol and ACTH levels. Insulin Tolerance Test and Glucagon Stimulation Test confirmed secondary ACTH deficiency with concomitant GH deficiency. In spite of medical counseling the patient refused glucocorticoid replacement. Due to the non-specific symptoms of this condition it remains a challenge to be diagnosed by clinicians. In conclusion: Our case shows that hormonal deficiencies may occur in small tumors less than 6 mm.
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PMID:Do We Need Hormonal Screening In Patients With Subcentimeter Pituitary Microadenomas? 2643 93

Recently developed immunotherapeutic agents, like anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 antibody (CTLA4), anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1) or anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PDL1), have demonstrated substantial potential for the treatment of a variety of malignancies. Autoimmune side effects from these agents are diverse and can include multiple endocrinopathies like immunotherapy induced hypophysitis (IH). These toxicities appear to be more frequent in patients receiving anti-CTLA4 antibody compared to PD1/PDL1 agents. The diagnosis of IH is generally based on the presence of new hypopituitarism without an alternative etiology and radiographic pituitary enlargement or not while on treatment with Immunotherapy. Patients with IH frequently present non-specifics symptoms like headache, fatigue or weakness. ACTH and TSH deficiencies are more frequent. TSH and gonadotrophin deficiencies may be reversible but ACTH deficiency appears permanent. Glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone replacement should be instituted early after the diagnosis of IH, androgen replacement can be deferred initially and discussed by the patient. High-dose glucocorticoid does not improve the outcome of IH and should be reserved for patients with persistent severe headache, severe hyponatremia or visual defects. Patient education, early identification by measuring TSH, free thyroxine, morning ACTH and cortisol levels before each treatment cycle and proper treatment are the core of IH management.
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PMID:[Autoimmune hypophysitis associated with new anti-cancer immunotherapies]. 2947 97

We describe a 58-year-old man with a malignant melanoma metastasis to the liver. After initiation of nivolumab therapy, he developed destructive thyroiditis and subsequently simultaneous isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency and severe hypercalcemia. Although isolated ACTH deficiency and hypercalcemia due to nivolumab therapy are both rare occurrences, these conditions can often cause a severe clinical course accompanied by a disturbance of consciousness. Therefore, clinicians should pay attention to these possible side effects of nivolumab if the patients have clinical symptoms, such as fatigue and a disturbance of consciousness.
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PMID:Isolated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Deficiency and Severe Hypercalcemia After Destructive Thyroiditis in a Patient on Nivolumab Therapy With a Malignant Melanoma. 2951 26

Central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) is a life-threatening condition caused by either pituitary disease (secondary adrenal insufficiency) or impaired hypothalamic function with inadequate CRH production (tertiary adrenal insufficiency). ACTH deficiency may be isolated or, more frequently, occur in conjunction with other pituitary hormone deficiencies and midline defects. Genetic mutations of the TBX19 causing isolated CAI are rare but a number of genes encoding transcription factors involved in hypothalamic-pituitary gland development, as well as other genes including POMC and PC1, are associated with ACTH deficiency. CAI is frequently identified in congenital, malformative, genetic, and epigenetic syndromes as well as in several acquired conditions of different etiologies. The signs and symptoms vary considerably and depend on the age of onset and the number and severity of associated pituitary defects. They may include hypoglycemia, lethargy, apnea, poor feeding, prolonged cholestatic jaundice, jitteriness, seizures, and sepsis in the neonate, or nonspecific signs such as fatigue, hypotension, vomiting and hyponatremia without hyperkalemia in children. The diagnosis of CAI relies on the measurement of morning cortisol concentrations along with dynamic test for cortisol release with different stimulating agents. Early recognition of CAI and its correct management are mandatory in order to avoid both morbidity and mortality in affected neonates, children and adolescents.
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PMID:Central adrenal insufficiency in children and adolescents. 3008 67

Background Central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) is characterized by impaired adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion because of a disease or injury to the hypothalamus or the pituitary, leading to a reduced cortisol production. CAI suspicion arises more frequently in patients with pituitary tumors, cranial irradiation/surgery/injury/infections, as well as after exogenous glucocorticoid withdrawal. Nevertheless, a late diagnosis is not uncommon because CAI may present with nonspecific signs or symptoms, as fatigue or hyponatremia. Content The PubMed database was searched (years 1980-2018), using "central adrenal insufficiency" and "ACTH deficiency" as keywords. Subsequently, reference sections of the retrieved articles were searched. Summary Dynamic tests are needed when morning basal cortisol levels are not sufficient to exclude or to confirm CAI. Short Synacthen Test (SST) is the most used, and Endocrine Society's guidelines recommend a cortisol peak >500 nmol/L to exclude CAI. Despite thresholds, understanding the pretest probability of ACTH deficiency (the clinical background of the patient) is essential because the diagnostic accuracy of SST in case of a negative result is suboptimal. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy, able to replicate cortisol circadian rhythm, is required in patients with CAI; fludrocortisone treatment is not necessary. Short-acting glucocorticoid drugs (hydrocortisone or cortisone acetate) are the most used; lower doses than previously used are nowadays recommended to reduce cortisol-related comorbidities. Promising results have been obtained with modified-release hydrocortisone, especially regarding glucose metabolism in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency. Outlook An accurate clinical diagnosis and a careful individualized therapy are mandatory in patients with CAI.
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PMID:Central adrenal insufficiency: open issues regarding diagnosis and glucocorticoid treatment. 3042 76


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