RESUMEN
Teriparatide, an osteoanabolic agent, is a biosynthetic analogue of the 1-34 amino acids of human parathyroid hormone (PTH) used for the treatment of osteoporosis. It is typically well-tolerated; common side effects include headaches, arthralgias, nausea, and dizziness. In this report, we present a case of gynecomastia occurring shortly after initiating teriparatide therapy, associated with nipple sensitivity and breast tenderness. Secondary workup for various causes of gynecomastia was unremarkable. Finally, a decision was made to discontinue teriparatide due to the patient's concerns. The nipple sensitivity started improving shortly afterward, with complete resolution of gynecomastia 4 months later. Although this unusual side effect has been reported as a possibility in postmarketing studies, a chronological report on the occurrence of teriparatide-induced gynecomastia and its complete resolution after discontinuing teriparatide has not yet been published in the literature.
RESUMEN
Romosozumab (RSB) is a monoclonal antibody to sclerostin that is approved for post-menopausal osteoporosis at high fracture risk. It is administered as a monthly 210 mg subcutaneous injection for 12 months. We report the response to half the standard dose of RSB in an underweight patient with severe osteoporosis and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Using half dose RSB (approximately 3 mg/kg RSB), she demonstrated significant improvement in lumbar spine BMD, paralleling the results of phase III trials. This case highlights the effectiveness of RSB in a patient with concomitant PBC, in addition to its effectiveness at half the recommended dose in an underweight patient.
RESUMEN
There is a well-established association between hyperglycemia and severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, regardless of the diagnosis of diabetes prior to the infection. However, it is unusual for patients with a mild infection to present with severe hyperglycemia and insulin resistance requiring intravenous insulin therapy. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia is associated with worse outcomes in COVID-19, making it crucial to achieve optimal glycemic control, which occasionally requires IV insulin therapy. We report a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), on hemodialysis, who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) due to non-adherence to insulin. He was found to be incidentally positive for COVID-19 on admission. Although he was asymptomatic and did not require steroids for the treatment of COVID-19, he was noted to have persistent severe hyperglycemia requiring unusually high levels of intravenous insulin. This proposes that even a mild infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can trigger a systemic response that can lead to downstream manifestations including insulin resistance and severe hyperglycemia. Interestingly, our patient had three admissions within the past six months as well as another admission two weeks after the current presentation with DKA secondary to insulin non-compliance, all of which required IV insulin for <24 hours following which he was transitioned to a basal-bolus insulin regimen with well-controlled glucose levels.