Endocrinology explores the complex network of hormones that regulate nearly every function in the human body, from metabolism and growth to mood and reproduction. When this delicate chemical signaling system falters, it can lead to a wide range of conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, and fertility issues. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing treatments that restore balance and improve quality of life.

At Gist.Science, we make the latest research from medRxiv accessible to everyone. We process every new preprint in this category as it becomes available, transforming dense medical findings into clear, plain-language overviews alongside detailed technical summaries. This approach ensures that both curious readers and specialists can stay informed without getting lost in jargon.

Below are the latest endocrinology preprints we have processed, offering fresh insights into how our internal chemistry shapes health and disease.

Understanding Pain in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Health Risks and Treatment Effectiveness

This retrospective study of over 103 million women using TriNetX data reveals that pain affects approximately 20.67% of women with PCOS, with significant racial disparities in prevalence and associated health risks, while also demonstrating that PCOS-related medications effectively reduce pain diagnoses.

Cherlin, T., Mohammed, S., Strydesky, S., Ottey, S., Sherif, K., Setia Verma, S.2026-03-27🩺 endocrinology

HbA1c-based diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and complication risk are distorted in British south Asians due to HbE thalassaemia trait

This study reveals that the HbE thalassaemia trait, which is prevalent but often undiagnosed among British South Asians, artificially elevates HbA1c levels without increasing blood glucose, leading to the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of type 2 diabetes and a distorted assessment of complication risks.

Hodgson, S., L'Esperance, V., Samuel, M., Siddiqui, M., Stow, D., Armirola-Ricaurte, C., Genes & Health Research Team,, van Heel, D. A., Mathur, R., McKinley, T., Barroso, I., Taylor, J., Finer, S.2026-03-27🩺 endocrinology

Oxytocin and its role in caloric intake and appetite: A preregistered living systematic review and meta-analysis

This preregistered living systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence that exogenous oxytocin reduces appetite and caloric intake in specific patient groups, such as those with obesity or type II diabetes, but finds no statistically significant effects in healthy individuals, suggesting the need for further research to draw definitive conclusions.

Sartorius, A. I., Deilhaug, E., Kang, H., Dufour, D., Walle, K. M., Eddy, K. T., van der Meer, D., Westlye, L. T., Andreassen, O. A., Lawson, E. A., Quintana, D. S.2026-03-26🩺 endocrinology

Prevalence, treatment rates and control of dyslipidemia among diabetes patients in northern Nigeria: A cross-sectional, multicenter study

This multicenter cross-sectional study in northern Nigeria reveals that dyslipidemia affects nearly 60% of diabetes patients, is independently associated with female gender and proteinuria, and remains poorly managed with only 17.1% of patients achieving cardiovascular risk targets due to limited treatment options and low guideline adherence.

Alkali, N. H., Uloko, A. E., Osaigbovo, G. O., Bakari, A. G., Bello, M. R., Garba, M. A., Fika, G. M., Muhammad, A. S., Saad, M. A., Vandi, Z. G., Abdullahi, U. F., Mugana, A., Chiroma, I., Haladu, I. (…)2026-03-23🩺 endocrinology

Thyroid Autoimmunity Does Not Delineate a Cardiometabolic or Androgenic Phenotype in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Pre-Specified Cross-Sectional Analysis

This large cross-sectional study of 1,300 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) found that thyroid autoimmunity is not associated with a more severe cardiometabolic or androgenic phenotype, suggesting that anti-TPO positivity alone does not identify a metabolically high-risk PCOS subgroup.

Piorkowska, N. J., Madeyski, L., Lesniewski, M., Franik, G., Bizon, A.2026-03-18🩺 endocrinology

Discordant Obesity Severity Classification Between the Edmonton Obesity Staging System and the Lancet Commission Model

This study utilizing UK Biobank data reveals that while the Edmonton Obesity Staging System and the Lancet Commission Diagnostic Model show high concordance for established disease, they differ significantly in early-stage classification due to distinct operational definitions of organ dysfunction, suggesting that integrating both frameworks could enhance obesity risk stratification and intervention targeting.

Hagemann, T., Sharma, A. M., Blueher, M., Hoffmann, A.2026-03-17🩺 endocrinology

Causal Mediation Pathways in Continuous Postprandial Glucose Monitoring for Type 1 Diabetes Patients

This study applies a causal mediation framework enhanced by a Causally-constrained Linear Autoencoder to continuous glucose monitoring data from Type 1 Diabetes patients, revealing significant heterogeneity in how carbohydrate intake affects glucose levels through direct versus insulin-mediated pathways, particularly highlighting systematic under-compensation at dinner that is masked by population-average analyses.

Hilligoss, S., Qu, A.2026-03-17🩺 endocrinology

Mediation of calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the association between kidney stones and bone mineral density in the femoral neck: a cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

This cross-sectional NHANES study reveals that kidney stones are independently associated with reduced femoral neck bone mineral density, a relationship partially mediated by an altered calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, particularly among younger individuals and those without chronic kidney disease.

Liu, G., Wang, X., Wang, X., Zhou, H., Shen, G. Z.2026-03-16🩺 endocrinology

How Low Could Semaglutide Prices Fall? An Analysis of Production Cost and Implications for Global Access Ahead of Patent Expiry

This study projects that following the 2026 patent expiry, generic semaglutide could be produced for as little as 2828–140 annually and made available in 160 countries covering the majority of the global obesity and type 2 diabetes burden, though equitable access will depend on addressing device costs and secondary patents through coordinated policy action.

Levi, J., Cross, S., Ramesh, N., Venter, F., Hill, A.2026-03-04🩺 endocrinology