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  Abstract Pleural and peritoneal fluids are both ultrafiltrate of plasma that may accumulate in the chest and abdominal cavities respectively due to changes in hydrostatic pressure, colloid/oncotic pressure, impaired capillary permeability or impaired lymphatic drainage. The accumulated fluid may be aspirated for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. For pleural fluids,...

Abstract Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein that is involved in the transport of sex hormones in blood. Regulation of SHG is complex and involves many factors through direct or indirect mechanisms. These factors include oestrogens, thyroid hormones, androgens, obesity, insulin and monosaccharides. There is evidence that an...

  Abstract Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a rare and serious complication of thyrotoxicosis that can present as transient attacks of muscle weakness usually associated with hypokalaemia. Certain activities have been shown to commonly precede these attacks including a high carbohydrate intake, strenuous exercise and a heavy alcohol intake. This effect...

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Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was discovered over 60 years ago for its crucial role in the regression of the Müllerian duct, the female internal genital precursor, during male sexual differentiation. In 1986, the AMH gene was isolated and classified as a homodimeric disulphide-linked glycoprotein, a member of the transforming growth factor...

Adrenal insufficiency may have an insidious onset but can also present as a life-threatening emergency. It is important to recognise the features and perform appropriate investigations to confirm its diagnosis. In developed countries, autoimmune adrenal destruction is the commonest cause of adrenal failure and can be part of Autoimmune Polyglandular...

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