Biotin ingested in moderate to high doses can cause immunoassay interference. Depending on the assay format, biotin interference can result in either falsely high or low values. Interference is not limited to thyroid tests and has the potential to affect a wide range of analytes. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this interaction to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
AimsCurrently, there is no consensus on which form of insulin to use when initiating insulin in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Our aim was to compare glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) reduction, weight change and severe hypoglycemia rates during the first year after initiation of intermediate-acting insulin isophane, insulin glargine and pre-mixed insulin in patients with T2D.MethodsElectronic clinical records of patients with T2D, starting insulin at a tertiary referral center in Auckland, New Zealand, from January 1 to December 31, 2012, were retrospectively evaluated. Primary outcomes were HbA1C reduction at 12 months and number of hospital admissions for hypoglycemia.ResultsOf 339 eligible patients, 273 (80.5%) started on intermediate insulin, 24 started on insulin glargine and 42 started on pre-mixed insulin. The mean HbA1C at insulin initiation was 89–95 mmol/mol, but had decreased at 12 months by 26.6 mmol/mol with insulin glargine, 23.4 mmol/mol with pre-mixed insulin and 16.6 mmol/mol with insulin isophane (p < 0.05 vs. baseline for all groups). Patients on insulin glargine were more likely to achieve the HbA1C target of <55 mmol/mol compared with patients on insulin isophane (16.7% vs. 4.8%; p = 0.04). Persistence rates were higher in patients initiated on pre-mixed insulin vs. insulin isophane (90.5% vs. 69.6%; p = 0.01). After controlling for confounding variables, glargine was more likely to achieve an HbA1C target of <55 (p = 0.05).ConclusionsAll insulin types caused a significant reduction in HbA1C, but very few met HbA1C targets. Insulin isophane was the most common type of insulin prescribed at initiation, with comparable outcomes to other types of insulin. More observational studies are needed to explore the possible impact of using other insulin types at initiation.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13300-015-0100-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
We present two patients with Graves' disease and concurrent myasthenia gravis. The impact of the dual diagnosis on the clinical course and the potential for a delayed diagnosis of myasthenia gravis is discussed. Patient 1, a 28-year-old man was diagnosed with Graves' disease following his second respiratory arrest. His history was strongly suggestive of a second pathology. Patient 2, a 66-year-old Cantonese woman with established Graves' disease presented with thionamide-related neutropaenia. Examination revealed bilateral ptosis and right lateral rectus palsy. Both patients had thyrotoxicosis secondary to Graves' disease with concurrent myasthenia gravis. Although neuromuscular weakness is common in Graves' disease, coexisting myasthenia gravis (MG) is rare and can cause profound morbidity. Ocular signs in both diseases may cause diagnostic confusion although ptosis suggests coexisting MG. In both cases, the thyrotoxicosis delayed the diagnosis of MG.
We describe an SDH-deficient GIST occurring outside of the stomach. This case indicates that SDH-deficient GISTs may also arise in the small intestine.
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