The Pituitary World News Podcast

S11E5: When It Looks Like Cushing’s But It Isn’t

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Leena Shahla to the Pituitary Podcast. She is the director of The Duke Pituitary Program. Today she joins PWN co-founder and medical director of the California Center for Pituitary Disorders at UCSF, Dr. Lewis Blevins, for an in-depth discussion about pseudo-Cushing's syndrome.

In the Duke Health web portal, Dr. Shahla says endocrinology captured her heart because it combines medical science with unique challenges. "My passion for solving puzzles drives my deep interest in pituitary disease, the most complex area of endocrinology." You can read more about Dr. Shahla, her practice and background here.

This is a fascinating discussion about a complex, often misunderstood condition by two of the leading experts in the field you won't want to miss it. Pseudo-Cushing's syndrome or non-neoplastic hypercortisolism is a medical condition in which people with this disorder display the signs, symptoms, and abnormal cortisol levels.  Common causes can include  pregnancy, alcohol use disorder, morbid obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, end-stage renal disease, severe major depressive disorder, and poorly controlled diabetes.

S11E4: Side effects of dopamine agonists: a discussion

In this podcast, Dr. Blevins reviews the side effects of dopamine agonist drugs. These are drugs that activate certain types of cells in the brain to regulate various functions, including hormone regulation, movement, and motivation. Dr. Blevins's discussion focuses on the drug cabergoline and its side effects, citing several research studies. This is a fascinating review of side effects you won't want to miss, even if you don't use or are unfamiliar with cabergoline and its use in treating prolactinomas.

For more information on prolactinomas and other pituitary disorders, visit pituitaryworldnews.org. Stay tuned for an upcoming book on prolactinomas, scheduled for release later this year.  While you’re there, browse through the website for more resources and explore our current selection of books on Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes insipidus, vasopressin resistance, and hypopituitarism—available for purchase.  Additionally, a new book focusing on pituitary tumors will be released later this month.

Explore. Learn. Stay Ahead. Visit us today!

S11E3: Cool chats

Sometimes conversations take interesting turns and often lead to surprising and unexpected discussions. If you're a regular listener of the Pituitary Podcast, you may have caught a few of our live broadcasts where these unscripted discussion are common.

Today I'm joined by Risa August, a patient and advocate and a frequent guest sharing her work, adventures and advocacy efforts, for one of those engaging chats. In this podcast we explored the importance of listening. We also discussed the stories that spark the interest needed to capture the attention of people who may know little or nothing about pituitary conditions. With greater awareness, and since early diagnosis is such a game changer with these devastating conditions, perhaps more people will be mindful of the subtle signs that deserve medical attention — and maybe, just maybe, they'll ask the right questions that guide their doctors toward considering a potential pituitary diagnosis sooner rather than later.  Here'e another example of this discussion from a recent Grand Rounds Video with physicians and endocrine fellows discussing an acromegaly case.

Click here to order the book and learn more about Risa's work.

S11E2: Acromegaly; a discussion about psychological and emotional health support initiatives

Today's podcast is about an important Chiesi Rare Diseases initiative to learn more about the psychological, social, and emotional health issues facing acromegaly patients.  We talked to Stuart Siedman, Chiesi's Vice President of advocacy.  Stuart has an extensive background in rare diseases and a personal connection as an advocate.  This is an important subject. We hope you will help by participating in the survey. 

Click here to take the survey.

 

S11E1: Two leading acromegaly experts discuss promising treatment options

In today's podcast, we are excited to welcome Dr. Joanna Spencer-Segal, a research assistant professor at the Michigan Neuroscience Institute and an assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes at the University of Michigan. She joins Dr. Lewis Blevins and me to discuss the promising new treatment options for acromegaly.

Our conversation delves into the latest therapies, the challenges faced by practitioners, and the groundbreaking developments nearing final approval that could soon bring more exciting options to those living with this complex condition. You don't want to miss this insightful discussion!

S10E8: Podcast series with industry leaders: meet Dr. Scott Pescatore, Head of Global Head of Global Operations at Recordati Rare Diseases.

I am pleased to welcome Dr. Scott Pescatore to the Pituitary Podcast.  In today's podcast, we discuss some of the work being done in the pituitary and adrenal space.  Dr. Pescatore's - and other industry leaders we've featured on the Pituitary Podcasts - opinions and points of view are essential to developing current and future therapies and potential new treatments affecting access to medications for pituitary disease.  By and large, these are the people who make the ultimate decisions on what medications are brought to market and how they support the people who need those therapies.  We are delighted to bring you Dr. Pescatore's perspectives. Don't miss this fascinating discussion.

 

Available Dr. Lewis Blevins new book Cushing's; a comprehensive guide to understanding a devastating disease.  Click here to buy your copy today

S10E7: A conversation with Recordati's Dr. Mario Maldonado

Today's podcast features my chat with Dr. Mario Maldonado, Head of Development and Global Endocrinology atRecordati Rare Diseases.  Dr. Maldonado brings a wealth of experience and a great perspective on drug development. He was involved in developing both pasireotide and osilodrostat, two essential compounds used in drugs to treat Cushing's.   Listen to this fascinating talk with one of the most dynamic experts in endocrine drug development today. He talks about endocrinology, the science of cortisol production, the art and science of endocrine medicine, and the opportunities for new drugs and therapies in the US and Europe.  We also focused on the findings from a Recordati new study, LINC-7,  - read more about the study here -  potentially leading to new indications (uses) for osilodrostat (Isturisa®).

Click here for more information and content on Cushing's and hypercortisolism from Pituitary World News.

Now available, Dr. Lewis Blevins new book "Cushing's; a comprehensive guide to understanding a devastating disease".  Click here to buy your copy today or click on the book graphic below.

S10E6: Mental Health challenges and opportunities in pituitary disease

Mental health is an ongoing challenge for people dealing with Pituitary conditions, from brain fog to anxiety to downright depression. These and other emotional issues are some of the most talked about and commonly related when people talk about what it's like to live with one of these devastating conditions.  Today's podcast brings together two leading experts in mental health and pituitary disease for an in-depth round-table discussion of mental and emotional issues that affect people daily.  Click here for more helpful articles on mental and emotional health.

S10E5: The FDA listens to acromegaly patients

Today's podcast covers my conversation with Jill Sisco, president of the Acromegaly Community, about the recent meetings with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US governmental entity responsible for approving new medications.  Our conversation focuses on the original meeting held in 2021 and a recent listening session where the AC provided additional feedback to the FDA.  These meetings help ensure the FDA considers patient's experiences, needs, and expectations as they provide drug development guidance to pharmaceutical companies.  You can read the original report here.

Jill also briefly mentioned during our chat the "Faces of Hope" initiative they undertook a few years ago.  Here's a link to that photographic essay.  Worth a look! 

S10E4: Amplifying knowledge of Cushing's; every day, every month, every year.

On today's podcast and  Cushing's awareness day and month, we bring you a few excerpts from our soon-to-be-released new book on Cushing's. The book's author and Pituitary World News cofounder, Dr. Lewis Blevins, reads from a few selected chapters to give insight into the book's content. We are delighted to present these excerpts to join the many organizations, patients, and healthcare professionals in recognizing Cushing's disease awareness month and day. The book is well underway, with over 37 chapters on the editor's and publisher's desk. The book's release date will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting project from Pituitary World News. You can read more about the book in this article.