Obesity, Hyperglycemia, Thyroid Levels & COVID-19; Cardiac CT for Osteoporosis Screening?

Obesity was a risk factor for more severe COVID-19, as well as a higher chance of mortality. The study in European Journal of Endocrinology “suggests that people with mild obesity should also be identified as a population at risk,” said lead author Matteo Rottoli, MD, PhD, of the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, in a statement.

And even in those without a previous diagnosis of diabetes, high glucose levels were tied to a two-fold greater mortality and four-fold higher complication rate in COVID-19. (Diabetologia)

Lower thyroid hormone and thyrotropin, as well as lower serum total triiodothyronine (TT3) levels were tied to more severe cases of COVID-19, although levels normalized after recovery. (Thyroid)

The North American Menopause Society praised the National Academies’ new recommendations on compounded bioidentical hormone therapy (cBHT), which concluded “there is insufficient evidence to support the overall clinical utility of cBHT as treatment for menopause symptoms.”

People with public health insurance may be paying more for bariatric surgery versus those with private insurance plans. (Clinical Obesity)

A routine cardiac CT could double as an osteoporosis screening test too, by measuring thoracic bone mineral density. (Cardiac Imaging)

Abdominal weight gain during menopause may be — at least in part — due to medications including antidepressants, beta-blockers, and insulin. (Menopause)

Even minor stress can throw a wrench in managing blood sugar levels. (Psychoneuroendocrinology)