Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Full-Endoscopic Surgery for Hypothalamic Hamartoma Resection
Published on: April 12, 2024
Management of endocrine conditions at the end of life
Anne de Bray1,2, Jon Tomas3, Neil Gittoes1,2,4
1Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
Abstract:
An important facet to end-of-life care is deprescribing. This can be challenging when reviewing life-sustaining endocrine medications but, unlike for diabetes, there is no national guidance to support patients and clinicians faced with care planning. This article reviews the limited current evidence to highlight areas for further discussion and research with the aim of moving towards consensus opinion. Discontinuation of certain endocrine medications, including corticosteroids, desmopressin and levothyroxine, is likely to precipitate an 'endocrine-driven mechanism of death', while it may be reasonable to discontinue other endocrine medications without the risk of hastening death or causing unnecessary symptoms. However, the over-arching theme should be that early discussion with patients regarding conversion or discontinuation of endocrine medications or monitoring is central to care planning.
Related Concept Videos
Ethical Dilemmas II
Nursing Ethical Principles II
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's...
Nephrotic Syndrome III : Nursing Management
Ethical Issues
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...

