PurposeThere has been debate regarding the appropriate cortisol cutoff during the cosyntropin stimulation test (CST) when newer cortisol assays are used. We aimed to evaluate the proper cortisol values during the standard dose CST in patients with normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis when the Elecsys® Cortisol II assay from Roche Diagnostics is used.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients evaluated for possible adrenal insufficiency using the standard-dose (250 mcg) CST from January 2018 to December 2020 and eventually judged to have a normal HPA axis. All the CSTs were done in the outpatient setting. Evaluation by an endocrinologist, restrictive exclusion criteria including prior glucocorticoid and opioid use, and lack of glucocorticoid treatment for at least 6 months after the CST was used to define normal HPA axis. The results are reported in the median (range).ResultsWe identified 63 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were considered to have a normal HPA axis. The median age was 54.7 (27.6-89.1) years; 32 (51%) were female, and 27 (43%) were white. The duration of follow-up after the CST without any glucocorticoid replacement was 13.9 (6.3-43.9) months. Cortisol levels were 21.7 (15.7-29.1) µg/dl and 24.4 (17.9-35.8) µg/dl at 30- and 60-minutes after cosyntropin administration, respectively. The lowest cortisol levels at 30 and 60 minutes for patients with either normal TSH or gonadal axis (n=47) or in whom both axes were normal (n=18) were similar to the ones of the entire cohort.ConclusionOur study supports using a lower than previously recommended cortisol cutoff value at 30 minutes after Cosyntropin using the Roche Elecsys® Cortisol II assay. The lowest cortisol levels in our cohort were 15.7 and 17.9 µg/dL at 30 and 60 minutes after the CST, respectively. Therefore, it is essential to consider the time of cortisol draw after cosyntropin administration.

A 36-year-old woman with a history of migraine was referred to our clinic for evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. She complained of dizziness and decreased visual acuity 4 months prior to the presentation. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (Fig. ) showed an incidental dural-based enhancing mass (A) projecting dorsally from the right posterior aspect of the planum sphenoidale and impinging on the medial aspect of the right frontal lobe. The lesion extended into the right anterior/superior aspect of the sella turcica without directly impinging on the pituitary gland (B). Her ophthalmologic examination showed no signs of optic nerve compression despite the patient having visual complaints. Pituitary hormonal workup results, including thyroid function tests, insulin growth factor 1, gonadotropins, prolactin, and morning cortisol levels, were normal.

Insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors that can be associated with severe episodes of hypoglycemia, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. These tumors are often difficult to localize, and hypoglycemia control can be challenging since glucose levels can be resistant to conventional therapies. Pasireotide is a novel somatostatin analog with a high affinity to multiple somatostatin receptors. It has up to 40 times higher affinity for somatostatin receptor subtype 5 in comparison with octreotide, leading to a higher inhibition of insulin release from beta cells. There are few case reports regarding the use of pasireotide in refractory hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. We describe a challenging case of endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia refractory to standard medical treatment, in which pasireotide was used. In this case, imaging studies and calcium stimulation testing failed to localize an insulin‐secreting tumor in an 83‐year‐old woman. Glucose levels remained low despite treatment with diazoxide, verapamil, and octreotide, necessitating the use of IV dextrose solutions. After starting subcutaneous (SC) pasireotide 0.9 mg twice a day, there was a significant improvement in the frequency and severity of hypoglycemic events, allowing the patient to be discharged from the hospital without needing IV glucose support.

Background There has been debate regarding the appropriate cortisol cutoffs during the cosyntropin stimulation test (CST) when the newer cortisol assays are used. Recent studies have recommended cortisol cutoffs lower than previously recommended. We aimed to evaluate the cortisol levels during the standard dose CST in patients evaluated for adrenal insufficiency and found to have a normal HPA axis using the Elecsys ® Cortisol II (Roche Diagnostics)assay. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review study of adult patients who had the CST performed within an academic ambulatory setting from January 2018 to December 2020. They had ICD-10 codes of pituitary gland disorders in their problem list or diagnoses at the time of data extraction. Only patients with a normal HPA axis were included in the analysis, which was defined based on evaluation by an endocrinologist, restrictive exclusion criteria, and a lack of glucocorticoid administration for at least 6 months after CST. Exclusion criteria included oral glucocorticoid use within 6 months before the CST or 3 months for other routes, albumin < 2.5 g/dL, liver disease, pituitary insult within 6 weeks before the CST, estrogen and opioid use within 3 months before the CST, and pregnancy. The results are reported in the median (range). Results Out of 305 patients, 63 (20.6) met the study criteria. The median age was 54.7 (27.6-89.1) years; 32 (51%) were females, and 27 (43%) were white. The duration of follow-up after the CST was 13.9 (6.3-43.9) months. Cortisol values at 30- and 60-minutes post-CST were available for 43 (68.2%), and 61 patients (96.8%), respectively. The cortisol levels at 30- and 60-minutes after the CST were 21.7 (15.7-29.1) µg/dL and 24.4 (17.9-35.8) µg/dL, respectively. The lowest cortisol levels at 30 and 60 minutes after the CST for patients with either normal TSH or gonadal axis (n=47) or in whom both axes were normal (n=18) were similar to the entire cohort. Conclusion Our study supports using a lower cortisol cutoff value at 30 minutes after the CST using the Roche Elecsys ® Cortisol II assay. The lowest cortisol level in our cohort was 15.7 ug/dL. However, the same pass criteria cannot be used at 60 minutes. Therefore, it is essential to consider the time of cortisol draw after the CST. Presentation: No date and time listed