Clinical Chemistry Blog Notes 05

Somatostatin 1.Other name for GHIH
delta cells 2. In the pancreatic islet, GHIH is produced in what cells
Serum 3. The specimen of choice for the determination of GHIH.
Hypothalamus 4. This hormone is first isolated where
Somatostatinoma 5. A tumor in the delta cells.
Steatorrhea and Diabetes mellitus 6-7. Name two diseases associated with your answer in no. 5
Radio Immunoassay 8. The method used for GHIH
Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic 9-1o. Besides the pituitary hormone, name another two hormones inhibited by GHIH.



I.Diagnosis: Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones.

Laboratory methods:
1. TSH level
If there is an elevated TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level is always required before a diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be made. Normally, the pituitary gland will secrete TSH in response to a low thyroid hormone level. Thus an elevated TSH level would typically suggest an underactive thyroid.

2. Thyroid function panels
-Total T4

-T3 Uptake and
-Free Thyroxine Index (FTI).
These tests should be abandoned because they are unreliable as gauges of thyroid function. The most common traditional way to diagnose hypothyroidism is with a TSH that is elevated beyond the normal reference range. For most labs, this is about 4.0 to 4.5. This is thought to reflect the pituitary's sensing of inadequate thyroid hormone levels in the blood which would be consistent with hypothyroidism. There is no question that this will diagnose hypothyroidism, but it is far too insensitive a measure, and the vast majority of patients who have hypothyroidism will be missed.

3. Basal Body Temperature
Basal body temperature popularized by the late Broda Barnes, M.D. He found the clinical symptoms and the body temperature to be more reliable than the standard laboratory tests was provided. This is clearly better than using the standard tests. However there are problems with using body temperature.
Sleeping under electric blankets or water beds falsely raise temperature
Sensitive and accurate thermometer required
Inconvenient and many people will not do (poor compliance)

II. Diagnosis: Somatostatinoma is a tumor of the delta cells of the endocrine pancreas that produces somatostatin. It is associated with diabetes mellitus and abnormal glucose tolerance. Triad of : Mild Diabetes Mellitus, Steatorrhoea, Gall stones. Commonly found in head of pancreas, and are malignant. Elevated plasma levels of Somatostatin.