Dr. Arezoo Asadi, Director of the Diagnostic Laboratory at the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute of Iran University of Medical Sciences, in an interview with the Institute's Public Relations Department, elaborated on the background, structure, service areas, educational and research activities, and human resource composition of this center. According to the information provided, the laboratory began its activities in 1969 and was reopened in 2018 after obtaining official authorization from the Ministry of Health and receiving approval from the Deputy of Treatment of Iran University of Medical Sciences, in a space of 130 square meters across two floors. Services are offered in 11 specialized departments, including Biochemistry, Hormonology, Immunology, Genetics, and Medical Bacteriology. The laboratory collaborates with 3 patient associations (Gabric, Mahak, and MS Society) and has so far conducted 4 specialized training courses, including Quality Control, Cell Culture, ELISA, and Immunohistochem

At the monthly thyroid conference of the Endocrinology Research Institute, two challenging clinical cases—including bone metastasis of follicular thyroid carcinoma and synchronous medullary and papillary thyroid carcinoma—were presented by Dr. Naghmeh Habibi, and optimal treatment strategies were discussed.

At the Weekly Conference of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, the latest clinical guidelines of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) on the management of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy were reviewed. According to these guidelines, achieving euthyroidism (normal thyroid function) before conception is the cornerstone for reducing maternal and fetal complications. It was also emphasized that propylthiouracil (PTU) is the preferred treatment during the first trimester due to its lower risk of congenital malformations, and that measurement of TRAb/TSI antibodies plays a pivotal role in predicting disease relapse and monitoring fetal thyrotoxicosis.

At the weekly Journal Club of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, a comprehensive meta-analysis encompassing over 5.3 million diabetic patients was reviewed. The findings, presented in a PDF file, demonstrate that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and SGLT-2 inhibitors not only improve glycemic control and cardiovascular outcomes but also significantly reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-HCC liver-related events. In contrast, DPP-4 inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of non-HCC liver-related complications. The session was well-received by faculty members and students alike.

The monthly Thyroid Conference of the Endocrine Research Institute was held on Monday, August 5, 2026, featuring three challenging clinical cases of patients with Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) with pulmonary metastases and recurrent disease, presented by Dr. Naghme Habibi, an endocrinology subspecialist. The session covered the latest diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including radioactive iodine therapy, re-operation, targeted therapies such as Lenvatinib, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing these conditions.