LBSUN288 Improved Glycemic Control Following Oophorectomy In A Post-menopausal Woman With Ovarian Hyperthecosis

Abstract

Introduction While androgens are associated with decreased risk for type 2 diabetes in males, the opposite is seen in females. Despite this, a "chicken or the egg" argument exists regarding hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in women. Ovarian hyperthecosis, a condition that mostly affects post-menopausal women, causes androgen excess due to hyperplasia of the theca interna of the ovaries. Akin to polycystic ovarian syndrome, it is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. We describe a case of ovarian hyperthecosis in a woman with type 2 diabetes with improved glycemic control following oophorectomy. Case A 63-year-old post-menopausal female with a history of autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and chronic pancreatitis presented for recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes, discovered on routine point-of-care Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing in December 2020 (HbA1c 7.1%, weight: 86 kg). In January, she started repaglinide which was titrated to 2 mg with meals, also that month started prednisone for autoimmune hepatitis. Despite tapering doses of prednisone, her hyperglycemia paradoxically worsened and persisted following completion in June. In May, HbA1c was 7.8%. In August, she endorsed hirsutism, present for 2 years but worsening over the past few months. Labs showed elevated total testosterone (508 ng/dL), free testosterone (32.7 pg/mL), and androstenedione (305 ng/dL), with normal sex hormone binding globulin. DHEA-S was low (28.9 ug/dL, range: 29.4-220.5), midnight salivary cortisol was elevated (0.12 mcg/dL; range: <0. 09), and morning serum ACTH and cortisol were within normal range, with appropriate suppression to dexamethasone. Estradiol was above post-menopausal range (68.1 pg/mL; range: <6. 0-54.7). FSH and LH were within the post-menopausal range, with an approximate 1: 1 ratio. A pelvic ultrasound revealed two intramural myomas and a simple cyst of the right ovary, but otherwise unremarkable. She underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in October 2021. Post-surgical total testosterone was 27 ng/dL. Surgical pathology revealed unremarkable fallopian tubes and bilateral stromal hyperplasia and hyperthecosis of the ovaries. At one month follow-up, HbA1c was 6.5%, weight decreased from 89 kg pre-surgery to 86, and she endorsed improved hirsutism but frequent hypoglycemia on repaglinide 2 mg with meals. Repaglinide was decreased to 0.5 mg with meals. Three months later, HbA1c was 6.3% with unchanged weight. Conclusion Improved glycemic control, corresponding with timing of oophorectomy but not discontinuation of steroids, suggests insulin resistance in this case may be due to hyperandrogenism. Though some studies and case reports suggest hyperandrogenism causes insulin resistance, others suggest the contrary. The relationship between androgens and insulin sensitivity is likely complex, and further research is necessary. Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.