We recommend weight-adjusted HC dosing, thrice daily before food, monitored with a single serum cortisol measurement using a nomogram. This regimen was prospectively examined in 40 cortisol-insufficient patients, 85% of whom opted to remain on the new thrice-daily treatment regimen.

Objective: For patients who remain hypothyroid despite the administration of what would seem adequate doses of levothyroxine (L-T 4 ), the underlying cause can be difficult to determine. The possibility of a biological cause should first be explored; however, in the majority of cases, poor adherence to medication is likely to be the main cause of treatment failure. When non-adherence is suspected but not volunteered, options to confirm the suspicion are limited. In this study, we identified patients for whom known drugs and pathological causes of L-T 4 malabsorption were excluded, and despite often high doses of L-T 4 , the patients remained hypothyroid. Design: Using a weight-determined oral L-T 4 bolus administration, absorption was initially assessed in 23 patients. In nearly all patients, this was shown to be maximal at 120 min post-ingestion. This was then followed by the continued administration of a weekly T 4 bolus for a 4-week period after which TSH and free T 4 (fT 4 ) levels were recorded. Results: All patients showed a rise in fT 4 at 120 min following the administration of the L-T 4 bolus, with a mean increase of 54G3% from baseline. Following the treatment period, using an equivalent weekly L-T 4 dose, which was significantly less than that of the daily dose taken by the patients before the test, TSH reduced from baseline in w75% of cases. Conclusion: Using this combination of tests allows significant malabsorptive problems to be identified first and then potential non-adherence to be demonstrated. A management plan can then be implemented to increase adherence, aiming to improve treatment outcomes.European Journal of Endocrinology 168 913-917

In patients with poor biochemical control of Addison's disease and CAH, a 24-h circadian infusion of hydrocortisone can decrease morning ACTH and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels to near normal.

A review of 55 upper limb amputees, acquired and congenital, referred to a subregional centre for amputee rehabilitation in a five year period is presented. Ninety-six per cent of the amputees were provided with prostheses. Seventy-three per cent of these patients have successfully accepted their prostheses with a minimum follow-up period of two years. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach in providing a comprehensive rehabilitation programme cannot be overemphasized. Patient's views and needs must be at the forefront in formulating the rehabilitation programme. Success of the prostheses should not be determined only on the grounds of active use, as cosmetic replacement may also play a major role in the total rehabilitation of upper limb amputees.