Selective peripheral tissue response to high testosterone levels in an infertile woman without virilization signs.

Summary: Total testosterone, which is peripherally converted to its biologically active form dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is the first-line hormone investigation in hyperandrogenic states and infertility in premenopausal women. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common cause of hyperandrogenism and infertility in young women, is often associated with mild elevations of total testosterone. Whereas very high levels of total testosterone (>2-3 SD of normal reference), are most often associated with hyperandrogenic signs, menstrual irregularity, rapid onset of virilization, and demand a prompt investigation.

Early beta-cell dysfunction characterizes males with type 2 diabetes of Yemenite origin.

Aims: The aim of the current study was to characterize β-cell function, insulin sensitivity and line of inheritance in patients with recent-onset type 2 diabetes of Yemenite and non-Yemenite Jewish origin.

Methods: A cohort study including 121 GAD negative diabetic patients, 59 of Yemenite and 62 of non-Yemenite origin, treated by diet ± oral antihyperglycemic monotherapy who underwent 180-min meal tolerance test (MMT). Based on MMT, indexes of insulin resistance and secretion were calculated.

THE EFFECT OF PHLEBOTOMY-INDUCED HEMOLYSIS ON INSULIN LEVEL DETERMINATION.

Objective: To examine the effect of phlebotomy-induced hemolysis on serum insulin and C-peptide measurement by an immunochemiluminometric assay.

Methods: As part of a study designed to evaluate β-cell function in a group of adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, we tested insulin and C-peptide levels in 1,048 samples. In order to evaluate the effect of phlebotomy-induced hemolysis, we determined insulin and C-peptide levels simultaneously in hemolyzed and nonhemolyzed samples.

Monitoring gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) treatment in girls with central precocious puberty: a comparison of four methods.

Aim: The objective of this study was to validate basal, post-gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (post-GnRHa) and first-voided urinary LH (ULH) as alternatives to an LHRH stimulation test in monitoring treatment efficacy in central precocious puberty (CPP).

Methods: Seventeen girls with CPP were followed over 22.5±9.

The diagnostic value of first-voided urinary LH compared with GNRH-stimulated gonadotropins in differentiating slowly progressive from rapidly progressive precocious puberty in girls.

Objective: Characterization of pubertal progression is required to prevent unnecessary intervention in unsustained or slowly progressive (SP) precocious puberty (PP), while delivering hormonal suppression in rapidly progressive (RP) PP. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of first-voided urinary LH (ULH) compared with GNRH-stimulated gonadotropins in differentiating these forms of PP.

Methods: A total of 62 girls with PP underwent both GNRH stimulation and ULH assay.