Endocrine testing in obesity

Wilding, John PH ORCID: 0000-0003-2839-8404 (2020) Endocrine testing in obesity. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY, 182 (4). C13-C15.

Text Commentary on European Endocrinology Guidelines on Obesity Management and Endocrine workup in Obesity.docx - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (23kB)

Abstract

Endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome and hypothyroidism may cause weight gain and exacerbate metabolic dysfunction in obesity. Other forms of endocrine dysfunction, particularly gonadal dysfunction (predominantly testosterone deficiency in men and polycystic ovarian syndrome in women), and abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the growth hormone-IGF-1 system and vitamin D deficiency are common in obesity. As a result, endocrinologists may be referred people with obesity for endocrine testing and asked to consider treatment with various hormones. A recent systematic review and associated guidance from the European Society of Endocrinology provide a useful evidence summary and clear guidelines on endocrine testing and treatment in people with obesity. With the exception of screening for hypothyroidism, most endocrine testing is not recommended in the absence of clinical features of endocrine syndromes in obesity, and likewise hormone treatment is rarely needed. These guidelines should help reduce unnecessary endocrine testing in those referred for assessment of obesity and encourage clinicians to support patients with their attempts at weight loss, which if successful has a good chance of correcting any endocrine dysfunction.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Obesity, Endocrine System Diseases, Cushing Syndrome, Hypogonadism, Hypothyroidism, Hormones, Glucocorticoids, Female, Male
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	12 Oct 2020 15:15
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 23:29
DOI:	10.1530/EJE-20-0099
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3104044