Author Archives: Paul Fitzgerald

Addison’s Disease

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Paul Fitzgerald

The adequacy of glucocorticoid replacement (hydorcortisone, prednisone) must be assessed clinically. A WBC (white blood count) with differential (the percentage of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes) can help, since patients whose replacement dose is too high tend to have a … Continue reading →

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Hypothyroidism: Diagnosis & Treatment

Posted on November 8, 2009 by Paul Fitzgerald

Google and the UCSF Department of Medicine commissioned me to write a Knol entitled “Hypothyroidism.” I’ve included some excerpts here, but you may wish to see the entire knol, which provides more details and includes sections on hypothyroidism in children … Continue reading →

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Journal of Clinical Oncology Paper

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Paul Fitzgerald

This paper was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in September, 2009. My colleagues and I describe our experience treating 50 patients with high-dose 131I-MIBG for their malignant pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. Download: Phase II Study of High-Dose [131I]Metaiodobenzylguanidine Therapy … Continue reading →

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Embolization of a large secretory paraganglioma

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Paul Fitzgerald

My colleagues and I presented two papers at the Second International Symposium on Pheochromocytoma at Queens College, Cambridge University in October 2008. We describe the successful pre-operative embolization of a large secretory paraganglioma. Poster: Embolization of a large secretory paraganglioma (PDF)

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UCSF MIBG Protocol

Posted on January 3, 2005 by Paul Fitzgerald

Here are the files for the UCSF Phase II high-dose 131I-MIBG compassionate use protocol for treatment of patients having malignant pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas. MIBG Pheochromocytoma Protocol MIBG Protocol Stem Cell Harvest PDF MIBG Pheochromocytoma Consent Document In order for 131I-MIBG therapy to … Continue reading →

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Diabetes Caused By Protease Inhibitor Therapy for HIV/AIDS

Posted on November 25, 2004 by Paul Fitzgerald

Protease inhibitors refer to a group of medications used to stop replication of the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) retrovirus. They are very effective medications and remain an essential element in the HIV/AIDS cocktail of drugs, also known as “HAART” (Highly … Continue reading →

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Acromegaly & Gigantism

Posted on September 25, 2004 by Paul Fitzgerald

Acromegaly refers to the clinical syndrome caused by excessive growth hormone (GH) in adulthood, after the closure of epiphyses (bone growh plates). GH produces many of its effects through the stimulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), produced in the liver … Continue reading →

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Hyperprolactinemia

Posted on September 25, 2004 by Paul Fitzgerald

Background: Prolactin is a peptide hormone that is produced and released from the anterior pituitary. The pituitary is an autonomous prolactin factory. The pituitary will produce increased amounts of prolactin automatically unless it is inhibited from doing so by dopamine, … Continue reading →

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Hemoglobin A1c Testing

Posted on September 25, 2004 by Paul Fitzgerald

Hemoglobin A1c: Hemoglobin is composed of a tetramer of globin chains; two of the chains are alpha-globin (chromosome 16). Most adults have hemoglobin that is largely comprised of two alpha chains combined with two beta chains (chromosome 11) (alpha2beta2), called … Continue reading →

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Hyperparathyroidism therapy with cinacalcet

Posted on August 8, 2004 by Paul Fitzgerald

The tiny parathyroid glands are located in the neck and are usually located adjacent to the thyroid gland, hence the term “parathyroid”. There are usually four parathyroid glands, but there can be more, and they can sometimes lie in locations … Continue reading →

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Introduction to Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

Posted on April 13, 2004 by Paul Fitzgerald

Pheochromocytomas are uncommon tumors that arise from cells of the sympathetic nervous system and may secrete catecholamines (adrenalin). Such tumors are usually found within one or both adrenal glands (90%), but may arise in other areas of sympathetic nerve cells, … Continue reading →

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Graves’ Disease

Posted on December 16, 2003 by Paul Fitzgerald

Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. Other causes of hyperthyroidism include multinodular goiter, toxic solitary nodules of the thyroid, and functioning thyroid cancer. Other rare causes for hyperthyroidism include TSH-secreting pituitary tumors and … Continue reading →

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