No abstract

As the use of these anti-angiogenic therapies becomes more wide-spread, they may have implications on the healing rates of cutaneous wounds and intracorporeal anastomoses.

Changes in blood glucose concentrations following consumption of four different beers (carbohydrate content 1.4‐12.1g per half pint; alcohol concentration 3.3‐5.5% v/v) were examined in seven insulin‐dependent men (age 21‐41 years; duration of diabetes 5‐27 years), who were studied on four evenings, on each occasion drinking a different beer but eating an identical meal. Blood samples were taken before drinking began, at half to one hour intervals during the evening and before breakfast the next morning. The peak increment in blood glucose concentration was linearly related to the carbohydrate content of the beer (r = 0.95,p<0.01), though there were no statistically significant differences between individual beers. Pre‐breakfast blood glucose concentrations of <3.5 mmol/l occurred on six out of 14 occasions after the two low carbohydrate beers but on only two out of 14 occasions after the two higher carbohydrate beers (p=0.09). If patients follow the advice given by the BDA on alcohol consumption we suggest that they choose beers and lagers with a carbohydrate content of 3‐7g per half pint (275 ml) and an alcohol concentration equal to or less than five per cent.

SUMMARYThe thyroxine: thyroxine-binding globulin (T,,: TBG) ratio is now an established part of the biochemical investigation of thyroid function. Reference ranges have been reported for euthyroid subjects with TBG levels within the range 6--16 mg/l. Routine assay ofTBG on all thyroid function tests in this laboratory has suggested that, in patients with low or high TBG levels, the established reference ranges for T,: TBG may not be strictly applicable.A retrospective study has been made of a large number of thyroid function requests, including serum total T" free T" TBG, and TSH assays. Evidence is presented to show that in subjects with a TBG level of less than 8 mg/l the reference range for T,: TBG is elevated. Similarly, in subjects with a TBG greater than 16 mg/l, the reference range for T,: TBG is lowered. The data suggest that it is necessary to quote aT,: TBG reference range based on small increments of TBG levels or to relate total T, reference ranges to those increments.