Endocrinology News and Research Articles

Doctors may one day use toenail clippings to diagnose osteoporosis

07/21/2011 - Dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans are currently the gold standard for osteoporosis detection, but new bone health exams are developed each year, like a toenail clipping-based test being created by an Irish medical technology firm.

Researchers say seizures related to osteoporosis medication are rare, caused by mitigating factors

07/20/2011 - The potential side effects of zoledronic acid, a prescription medication used to treat or prevent osteoporosis, include seizures, but research has found that these are exceedingly rare and usually the result of unanticipated drug interactions, hypoglycemia or a history of epilepsy.

Likelihood of wrist fractures varies by age, season, presence of osteoporosis

07/19/2011 - Individuals who suffer a wrist fracture may have a higher risk of being diagnosed with osteoporosis, and recent research has suggested that the risk of such an injury may hinge on a person's age and the time of the year.

Patient centered medical homes reduce costs and improve outcomes for type 2 diabetics, study finds

07/19/2011 - Anyone who suffers from type 2 diabetes knows that it can be an extremely expensive condition to live with. The frequent testing and constant need to take medications drive up costs significantly. Additionally, the complications that often occur add fuel to an already incendiary situation.

Rifle shooting ace qualifies for Olympics after recovering from thyroid cancer

07/18/2011 -

Age, tumor size affect metastasis, prognosis for patients with follicular thyroid cancer

07/17/2011 - Though it is not the most virulent form of thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) is more likely than the papillary variety to spread to distant sites in the body, which is one reason why Japanese researchers recently analyzed the factors affecting the metastasis of FTC.

Researchers uncover why TZDs cause weight gain in type 2 diabetics

07/17/2011 - The class of type 2 diabetes medications known as thiazolidinediones, or TZDs, is very effective at lowering blood sugar levels in most people.

People get tested for osteoporosis when institutes have dedicated bone health clinicians

07/14/2011 - Getting tested for osteoporosis is not always as simple as going to a doctor and asking for a bone mass density scan, which is one reason why researchers from Toronto analyzed the effects that stem from a fracture clinic's having a dedicated bone health technician.

Daily high-dose aspirin therapy may support heart health in type 2 diabetics

07/14/2011 - Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among individuals with type 2 diabetes, but a simple over-the-counter medication may significantly reduce an individual's risk of experiencing a heart attack.

Common amino acid may help prevent type 2 diabetes

07/13/2011 - Adding more leucine, a common amino acid, to the diets of individuals at risk for developing type 2 diabetes may help them avoid the condition completely, according to a new study from researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center.

Researchers find way to prevent excess fat storage, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes in mice

07/12/2011 - Excessive fat buildup is one of the leading risk factors for type 2 diabetes, but a team of researchers from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases may have found a way to get the body to burn excess calories rather than store them as fat.

Phthalates, BPA may alter the body's thyroid hormone levels

07/11/2011 - Researchers have announced that exposure to phthalates or bisphenol A (BPA), which are common industrial chemicals, may alter thyroid hormone levels and potentially aggravate or even lead to thyroid disease.

Key to inflammation-related diseases like type 2 diabetes may lie in fat tissue

07/11/2011 - Obesity, and more specifically excess body fat, is a well known risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Bone protein analysis may augment osteoporosis testing technology

07/10/2011 - Healthcare professionals looking for the signs of osteoporosis typically test bone for its density and calcium content, but new innovations in the field of proteomics may lead to an expansion of such testing to incorporate bone protein exams.

Poor diet before pregnancy could lead to metabolic problems including type 2 diabetes for offspring

07/10/2011 - It is well established that eating an unhealthy diet during pregnancy may impact the health of a woman's unborn child, but a new study suggests that this effect may extend to before conception.

Reoperation for persistent papillary thyroid cancer is relatively effective

07/06/2011 - Though it is a fairly non-aggressive form of the disease, papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) occasionally reappears in the lymph nodes of the neck following a thyroidectomy, which is why a team of Korean researchers recently assessed the viability of reoperating for persistent PTC.

Osteoporosis experiment will go up in final space shuttle mission

07/05/2011 - As part of an experiment related to progressive bone loss and osteoporosis, 30 mice are slated to be aboard the final space shuttle mission scheduled by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Existing medication may reverse symptoms of type 1 diabetes

07/05/2011 - A medication that has long been used as a vaccination against tuberculosis and a treatment for bladder cancer may alleviate symptoms of type 1 diabetes, according to results from a clinical trial, which were presented recently at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association.

Young people with type 1 diabetes show signs of cardiovascular risk factors

07/04/2011 - Despite advancements in the treatment and care of individuals with type 1 diabetes, a new study out of Cincinnati Children's Hospital has found that young people with the condition are at a considerably higher risk of developing heart disease at a young age.

Blueberries may help strengthen bones, prevent osteoporosis

06/30/2011 - Coming on the heels of several similar investigations, a new study of polyphenols - which give blueberries and other fruits their color - has determined that they may boost bone growth or even prevent osteoporosis.

Life expectancy increases for individuals with type 1 diabetes

06/28/2011 - Individuals with type 1 diabetes are living longer than ever. In fact, the life expectancy of diabetics is increasing at rates faster than those seen in the general population, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Pittsburgh.

New medication may improve kidney function in individuals with type 2 diabetes

06/27/2011 - Kidney failure is one of the most common complications of type 2 diabetes, but a new study has shown that individuals with the disease may be able to preserve and potentially even repair damage to their kidneys with the help of a new anti-inflammatory drug.

Rising type 2 diabetes rate shown to contribute to increasing kidney disease burden

06/22/2011 - The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased dramatically over the course of the last couple decades, and a new study from a team of University of Washington researchers suggests that this trend may be taking a toll on the kidney health of Americans.

Researchers identify genetic cause of inflammation-related tissue damage that causes type 2 diabetes

06/21/2011 - Inflammation caused by obesity is one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. However, it may be possible to limit inflammation in overweight individuals through gene therapies, according to researchers from Case Western Reserve University.

Study analyzes metastases of medullary thyroid cancer

06/19/2011 - Public health authorities are aware of the most common sites of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) metastases, but a new study from France's Institut Gustave Roussy and the University Hospital in Tours has tabulated the prevalence of the more unusual sites to which the disease can spread.