Abstract

Since the beginning of the current century, endocrine disease diagnosis and treatment have moved beyond the standard hormone measurements. While, indeed elevated thyroid hormone levels or low insulin levels signal a specific endocrine disease, correct diagnosis (and therefore correct treatment) depends on an understanding of the molecular basis for the disease. This book presents the "bench to bedside" approach of our understanding of the genetic basis for endocrine disease. It is organized by endocrine grouping (e.g. Thyroid, Pancreas, Parathyroid, Pituitary, Adrenal, Reproductive and Bone) and genetic/molecular basis for the diagnosis of the various disorders will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the practical nature of diagnosing a disease. For example: 1. Which tests should be done for the diagnosis of Diabetes mellitus Type I in children who presented at less than 6 months; at less than 12 years, in adulthood, etc., and why should those tests be done?; 2. Which genes should be evaluated for subjects with congenital hypothyroidism; 3. Which genetic tests should be ordered in obesity?; 4. Which genetic test should be ordered in a patient with Parathyroid Carcinoma?; 5. What is the rationale behind testing for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia?
The field of genetic diagnosis of disease is exploding now, with multiple laboratories developing tests for current clinical use. Most practicing endocrinologists, pediatricians and internal medicine physicians don't understand which test to order, how the tests are done, or how to interpret the results. One of the most exciting development in medicine today is the pharmacogenomics revolution - enocrinologists and geneticists need to understand how personalized medicine will fit into the daily care of patients. While this is a quickly growing area and there are textbooks on pharmacogenomics, there is no one source for the spectrum of Endocrine diseases.

• Selected for inclusion in Doody's Core Titles 2013, an essential collection development tool for health sciences libraries
• Presents a comprehensive, translational look at all aspects of genetic diagnosis of endocrine disorders in one reference work
• Endocrinology experts (the researchers who discovered the majority of the gene mutations for a particular disease) teach readers about the molecular basis for diseases in each major endocrine organ system
• Clear presentation by geneticists of pharmacogenetics and the actual assays used in detecting endocrine diseases
• Genetic counselors offer expert advice on how to use genetic information in counseling patients

"In the era of molecular medicine, understanding the genetic basis of disease is at the core. Nowhere is this more applicable than in endocrinology, where the genetic basis of disease underpins its research, practice, and therapy. This timely book brings together an international group of outstanding experts to discuss endocrine genetics, its importance, how to apply this knowledge and where to obtain the genetic tests. Chapters are richly illustrated, linking the physiology and presentation to the specific genetic or molecular defect. Genetic Diagnosis of Endocrine Disorders is a must for the bookshelf of endocrinologists and their trainees." --Mark A. Sperling, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

"Genetic Diagnosis of Endocrine Disorders is clearly written and contains sufficient and accurate information about genetic endocrine disorders. Specifically this book identifies the priority of genes that should be analyzed when doctors have patients with possible genetic endocrine diseases. As a doctor involved in basic and clinical thyroid research, Genetic Diagnosis of Endocrine Disorders is the book that I have been waiting for." --Yoshiharu Murata, M.D. Ph. D., Professor, Department of Genetics, Division of Stress Adaptation and Protection, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan

"This timely textbook has been written by the top scientists in their specific fields, with a well integrated series of chapters that cover all aspects of genetic disorders of the endocrine glands. Many schematic presentations of biochemical pathways and proposed genetic screening algorithms render the book not only very interesting, but also very useful in the daily management of patients. Readers will learn how to interpret the results of specific tests, where to send the DNA for analysis, and which is the supporting group if they need advice. Prenatal testing and genetic counseling are also well documented in each chapter. In conclusion, this book will become a fundamental instrument for endocrinologists, as well as for physicians and students of other related disciplines. The ultimate beneficiaries will be the patients who will receive more efficient, comprehensive and modern diagnoses, as well as possible treatment of their diseases."

--Paolo Beck-Peccoz, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Policlinico, Milan, Italy

 "This first edition of Genetic Diagnosis of Endocrine Disorders provides the clinician endocrinologist with a wide spectrum of information, going from pathophysiology to genotype/phenotype relationships, and serving as a practical source of information regarding available genetic tests. Quite logically, the book focuses on monogenic diseases, but the reader will also find up to date and useful handling of some multigenic/multifactorial diseases. It offers concise, convenient access to basic and practical knowledge of the genetics of endocrine diseases."

--Gilbert Vassart, Department of Medical Genetics, Free University Brussels, Belgium