Top endocrinology news reports 2019: anti-aging, alternate-day fasting, insulin patch
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In 2019, Healio readers were interested in fertility preservation for men on testosterone therapy, the wonders of metformin, possible associations between statins and diabetes, a new osteoporosis drug and more.
Low-dose hCG can prevent sterility in men prescribed testosterone
Low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, may preserve spermatogenesis in men with hypogonadism treated with intramuscular or transdermal testosterone replacement therapy.
Metformin may hold anti-aging promise to increase ‘health span’
The biguanide metformin, an effective first-line agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has come a long way from the days when the FDA hesitated to approve the drug due to risk for lactic acidosis. Today, metformin, now an inexpensive generic and widely available, has garnered a new reputation as a possible anti-aging wonder pill that influences a host of metabolic and cellular processes closely associated with the development of age-related conditions.
Alternate-day fasting cuts insulin levels, resistance in half
Alternate-day fasting lowered levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance to a greater degree than calorie restriction among adults with overweight or obesity and insulin resistance.
Insulin patch proves effective for adults with type 2 diabetes
An insulin patch can safely provide similarly effective glycemic management in adults with type 2 diabetes compared with a standard insulin pen.
Statin use raises risks for new-onset diabetes, skin infections
The use of statins for as little as 91 days is associated with an increased risk for skin infections via diabetogenic and nondiabetogenic mechanisms.
Exercise and cardiometabolic health: ‘Never too late to start exercising’
Exercise provides important and varied benefits for individuals with cardiometabolic disorders regardless of experience level, and certain exercise types may yield better outcomes for those with certain conditions.
FDA approves romosozumab for osteoporosis
The FDA approved the monoclonal antibody romosozumab to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk for fracture.
Thyroidectomy reduces severe Hashimoto's disease symptoms
For adults with Hashimoto’s disease, total thyroidectomy can reduce symptoms of pain and fatigue that remain even after euthyroid status is achieved with standard medical therapy.
Simultaneous combination therapy shows major potential in type 2 diabetes
When treating patients with type 2 diabetes, physicians may have more success if they use simultaneous combination therapy immediately rather than following the traditional stepped-up method of waiting to intensify treatment.
Supplements, cancer therapies, endocrine-disrupting chemicals can alter thyroid function
Medications, supplements, excessive iodine intake and other exogenous substances including endocrine-disrupting chemicals can influence multiple thyroid effects that clinicians should recognize, including thyroid dysfunction and altered thyroxine absorption.