Diabetes &endocrinology: something for everyone

This symposium addressed new developments and controversies in diabetes and endocrinology. The practical management of hyperparathyroidism, thyroid nodules, hyperprolactinaemia and diabetes and thyroid disorders in pregnancy were all discussed. In addition to these traditional areas of endocrinology, there was a focus on the role of endocrinology in ‘non-endocrine’ specialties, namely critical care and cardiovascular disease. We learned that manipulation of the thyroid axis or local glucocorticoids can potentially be used to treat high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation or coronary stent stenosis, and that glucose lowering with insulin reduces mortality in the critically ill.