Dr Charlotte Elder

BSc, MBBS, PhD, DRCOG, MRCPCH

Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health

Senior Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Endocrinology

c.j.elder@sheffield.ac.uk

Room 10, The Damer Street Building, Sheffield Children's Hospital

Full contact details

Dr Charlotte Elder
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
Room 10, The Damer Street Building
Sheffield Children's Hospital
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TH

Profile

For enquiries, please contact – SMPH-West-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

Charlotte Elder received her undergraduate medical degree from Imperial College, (University of London) UK in 1999 and after early training in London moved to Sheffield in 2005 in pursuit of excellent paediatric endocrinology training and fabulous local countryside.

Dr Elder started working for the University of Sheffield in 2009 when she undertook a Clinical Research Fellowship to study for her PhD. In 2011 she moved to a Clinical Lectureship, combining her PhD work with running the Child Health undergraduate course for The Medical School. Her PhD was awarded in 2015 and she returned to clinical medicine to train in tertiary level paediatric endocrinology and diabetes as an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer. In 2018 Dr Elder took up the post of Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and was appointed as Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University. From 2021-2024 Dr Elder was a UKRI Biomedical Science Innovation Scholar. Clinically her specialist interests are adrenal insufficiency, adrenal function testing and paediatric and adolescent gynaecology.

Dr Elder is passionate about fostering research interests in junior colleagues and making research accessible for all health care professionals. She has supervised over 75 medical students and junior doctors, helping them present, publish and win prizes. Her enthusiasm extends to teaching and she was awarded a Clinical Teaching Award by the University in 2015. Charlotte leads the Paediatric Endocrinology module on the University’s Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes MSc. She was Director of Undergraduate Medical Education at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust until 2024 and is currently a Fitness to Practice Investigator for the Medical School.

Research interests

Charlotte Elder's main research area is adrenal insufficiency, with the development of improved and non-invasive ways to test adrenal function, for which she has been awarded over £1.5m. She leads a team developing a non-invasive Short Synacthen Test (diagnostic test), using a novel formulation of Synacthen (Nasacthin) for nasal administration and the measurement of the glucocorticoid response in saliva samples. Nasacthin has patent applications filed or awarded in multiple global territories. Dr Elder is co-leading work to develop Waking Salivary Cortisone as a first line test for adrenal insufficiency. As part of this work her group has developed novel approaches to salivary collection in very young children, which won an NHS Innovation award, and are being used to understand more about adrenal function in preterm infants. In recognition of her work she was the winner of the Excellence in Research & Innovation award for Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in 2023.

Current projects:

Nasal Tetracosactide and Chitosan for Adrenal Stimulation - Chief Investigator on £1.2m MRC DPFS award to deliver
- Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over trial in healthy women, men and children
- Randomised cross-over trial in a patient population with adrenal insufficiency
- Normative data study in healthy children to derive reference centiles for The Nasacthin Test (£156k UKRI Innovation Scholarship)
Neonatal adrenal function studies - lead
Steroid weaning studies - co-lead

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Featured publications

Journal articles

Dixon S, Lewis J, Debono M, Elder CJ, Caunt S, Jacques RM, Newell-Price J, Whitaker MJ, Keevil B & Ross RJ (2024) The cost-effectiveness of using waking salivary cortisol in the diagnosis of adrenal sufficiency. HEDS Discussion Paper Series(24.04). View this article in WRRO
Arshad MF, Elder C, Newell-Price J, Ross R & Debono M (2024) A retrospective study on weaning glucocorticoids and recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 109(11), e2031-e2037. View this article in WRRO
Debono M, Caunt S, Elder C, Fearnside J, Lewis J, Keevil B, Dixon S & Ross R (2023) Real world evidence supports waking salivary cortisone as a screening test for adrenal insufficiency. Clinical Endocrinology, 99(6), 517-524. View this article in WRRO
Lawrence NR, Arshad MF, Pofi R, Ashby S, Dawson J, Tomlinson JW, Newell-Price J, Ross RJ, Elder CJ & Debono M (2023) Multivariable model to predict an ACTH stimulation test to diagnose adrenal insufficiency using previous test results. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 7(12). View this article in WRRO
Mushtaq T, Ali SR, Boulos N, Boyle R, Cheetham T, Davies JH, Elder CJ, Gan H-W, Hindmarsh PC, Katugampola H , Krone N et al (2023) Emergency and perioperative management of adrenal insufficiency in children and young people: British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes consensus guidance. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 108(11), 871-878. View this article in WRRO
Debono M, Elder CJ, Lewis J, Fearnside J, Caunt S, Dixon S, Jacques RM, Newell-Price J, Whitaker MJ, Keevil B & Ross RJ (2023) Home waking salivary cortisone to screen for adrenal insufficiency. NEJM Evidence, 2(2). View this article in WRRO
Tonge JJ, Keevil BG, Craig JN, Whitaker MJ, Ross RJ & Elder CJ (2022) Main salivary steroid collection in children under conditions replicating home sampling. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 107(11), 3128-3136.
Elder C, Vilela R, Johnson T, Taylor R, Kemp E, Keevil B, Cross A, Ross R & Wright N (2020) Pharmacodynamic studies of nasal tetracosactide with salivary glucocorticoids for a noninvasive Short Synacthen Test. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 105(8), 2692-2703. View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ, Langley J, Stanton A, De Silva S, Akbarian-Tefaghi L, Wales JKH & Wright NP (2019) A simulation study assessing the accuracy and reliability of orchidometer estimation of testicular volume.. Clinical Endocrinology, 90(4), 623-629. View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ, Harrison RF, Cross AS, Vilela R, Keevil BG, Wright NP & Ross RJ (2018) Use of salivary cortisol and cortisone in the high and low dose synacthen test. Clinical Endocrinology, 88(6), 772-778. View this article in WRRO
Cross AS, Helen Kemp E, White A, Walker L, Meredith S, Sachdev P, Krone NP, Ross RJ, Wright NP & Elder CJ (2018) International survey on high- and low-dose synacthen test and assessment of accuracy in preparing low-dose synacthen. Clinical Endocrinology, 88(5), 744-751. View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ & Bishop NJ (2014) Rickets.. Lancet, 383(9929), 1665-1676. View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ, Sachdev P & Wright NP (2012) The short Synacthen test: A questionnaire survey of current usage. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 97(10), 870-873.
Elder CJ, Sachdev P & Wright NP (2012) The short Synacthen test: a questionnaire survey of current usage.. Arch Dis Child, 97(10), 870-873.

All publications

Journal articles

Dixon S, Lewis J, Debono M, Elder CJ, Caunt S, Jacques RM, Newell-Price J, Whitaker MJ, Keevil B & Ross RJ (2024) The cost-effectiveness of using waking salivary cortisol in the diagnosis of adrenal sufficiency. HEDS Discussion Paper Series(24.04). View this article in WRRO
Arshad MF, Elder C, Newell-Price J, Ross R & Debono M (2024) A retrospective study on weaning glucocorticoids and recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 109(11), e2031-e2037. View this article in WRRO
Debono M, Caunt S, Elder C, Fearnside J, Lewis J, Keevil B, Dixon S & Ross R (2023) Real world evidence supports waking salivary cortisone as a screening test for adrenal insufficiency. Clinical Endocrinology, 99(6), 517-524. View this article in WRRO
Lawrence NR, Arshad MF, Pofi R, Ashby S, Dawson J, Tomlinson JW, Newell-Price J, Ross RJ, Elder CJ & Debono M (2023) Multivariable model to predict an ACTH stimulation test to diagnose adrenal insufficiency using previous test results. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 7(12). View this article in WRRO
Lawrence NR, Keevil BG, Elder C, Fearnside J, Caunt S, Dixon S, Newell-Price JDC, Ross RJM & Debono M (2023) OR30-01: Waking salivary 11-hydroxyandrostenedione and cortisone as a novel non-invasive test for adrenal insufficiency. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 7(Supplement_1), bvad114.351. View this article in WRRO
Mushtaq T, Ali SR, Boulos N, Boyle R, Cheetham T, Davies JH, Elder CJ, Gan H-W, Hindmarsh PC, Katugampola H , Krone N et al (2023) Emergency and perioperative management of adrenal insufficiency in children and young people: British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes consensus guidance. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 108(11), 871-878. View this article in WRRO
Cross AS, Moustafa M & Elder CJ (2023) Fifteen-minute consultation: approach to the adolescent presenting with hirsutism. Archives of disease in childhood - Education & practice edition.
Debono M, Elder CJ, Lewis J, Fearnside J, Caunt S, Dixon S, Jacques RM, Newell-Price J, Whitaker MJ, Keevil B & Ross RJ (2023) Home waking salivary cortisone to screen for adrenal insufficiency. NEJM Evidence, 2(2). View this article in WRRO
Tonge JJ, Keevil BG, Craig JN, Whitaker MJ, Ross RJ & Elder CJ (2022) Main salivary steroid collection in children under conditions replicating home sampling. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 107(11), 3128-3136.
Low A, Parry-Okeden S, Ferguson EC, Wright N & Elder CJ (2022) Fifteen-minute consultation : the child with obesity. Archives of Disease in Childhood: Education & Practice, 107(3), 182-187.
Craig JN, Sharman MR, Fitzgerald CG, Wigg D, Williams BS, Wilkinson EE, Wright NP, Langley J & Elder CJ (2021) Training using a simulation-based workshop reduces inaccuracies in estimations of testicular volume. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 34(1), 65-70.
Elder C, Vilela R, Johnson T, Taylor R, Kemp E, Keevil B, Cross A, Ross R & Wright N (2020) Pharmacodynamic studies of nasal tetracosactide with salivary glucocorticoids for a noninvasive Short Synacthen Test. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 105(8), 2692-2703. View this article in WRRO
Devaraja J, Elder C & Scott A (2020) Non classic presentations of a genetic mutation typically associated with transient neonatal diabetes. Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Case Reports, 2020(1). View this article in WRRO
Ferguson EC, Stewart EK, Hannah C & Elder CJ (2019) Obesity : unrecognised or avoided? We are missing opportunities to ‘make every contact count’. Archives of Disease in Childhood. View this article in WRRO
Lawrence N, Cheetham T & Elder C (2019) How do paediatricians use and monitor antithyroid drugs in the UK? A clinician survey. Clinical Endocrinology. View this article in WRRO
Bacila I-A, Elder C & Krone N (2019) Update on adrenal steroid hormone biosynthesis and clinical implications. Archives of Disease in Childhood. View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ, Langley J, Stanton A, De Silva S, Akbarian-Tefaghi L, Wales JKH & Wright NP (2019) A simulation study assessing the accuracy and reliability of orchidometer estimation of testicular volume.. Clinical Endocrinology, 90(4), 623-629. View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ, Harrison RF, Cross AS, Vilela R, Keevil BG, Wright NP & Ross RJ (2018) Use of salivary cortisol and cortisone in the high and low dose synacthen test. Clinical Endocrinology, 88(6), 772-778. View this article in WRRO
Cross AS, Helen Kemp E, White A, Walker L, Meredith S, Sachdev P, Krone NP, Ross RJ, Wright NP & Elder CJ (2018) International survey on high- and low-dose synacthen test and assessment of accuracy in preparing low-dose synacthen. Clinical Endocrinology, 88(5), 744-751. View this article in WRRO
Cockill TG, Hewitt A, Heafey C, Wright NP & Elder CJ (2017) The use of a radiolucent template to improve bone age X-ray quality (BASIC study). Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 30(12). View this article in WRRO
King D, West N & Elder CJ (2017) Integrating teaching into everyday clinical practice. Archives of Disease in Childhood Education and Practice Edition, 102(2), 94-99.
Elder CJ & Dimitri PJ (2017) Diabetes insipidus and the use of desmopressin in hospitalised children.. ADC Education & Practice. View this article in WRRO
Calvert A, West N & Elder C (2016) G354(P) ‘bridges and barriers’ : middle grade perspectives about contacting on-call general paediatric consultants. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 101(Suppl 1). View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ & Dimitri P (2015) Hydrocortisone for adrenal insufficiency. Archives of Disease in Childhood.education and Practice Edition, 100(5), 272-276. View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ & Wright NP (2014) Height estimation using long bone segment length is unlikely to play a role in the routine measurement of healthy preschool children. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 56(10), 921-922. View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ & Bishop NJ (2014) Rickets.. Lancet, 383(9929), 1665-1676. View this article in WRRO
Elder CJ, Somerset LM, Ram V, Wright NP, Wales JK & Dimitri PJ (2014) Letter in response to Chitale et al.: determining the utility of the 60-minute cortisol measurement in the short synacthen test.. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf), 80(6), 925.
Jackson C, Wernham EM, Elder CJ & Wright NP (2013) Early glycaemic control is predictive of long-term control: A retrospective observational study. Practical Diabetes, 30(1), 16-18.
(2012) Correction. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 97(11), 1008-1008.
Elder C, Hinchliffe C & Wright N (2012) Response to Alleyn et al. Comparison of longitudinal point-of-care and high-performance liquid chromatography HbA1c measurements in a multi-centre trial. Diabetic Medicine, 29(9), 1213-1214.
Elder CJ, Sachdev P & Wright NP (2012) The short Synacthen test: A questionnaire survey of current usage. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 97(10), 870-873.
Elder CJ, Sachdev P & Wright NP (2012) The short Synacthen test: a questionnaire survey of current usage.. Arch Dis Child, 97(10), 870-873.
Elder C, Hinchliffe C & Wright N (2010) HbA1c league tables: might assay variability encourage foul play?. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 63(7), 660-660.
Elder CJ & Natarajan A (2010) Mauriac Syndrome - A Modern Reality. J PEDIATR ENDOCR MET, 23(3), 311-313.
Elder CJ, Wright VJ & Wright NP (2009) Time to end the routine testing of growth hormone and cortisol on hypoglycaemia screens?. ARCH DIS CHILD, 94(12), 1000-1001.
Elder CJ, Ackerman B & Kingdon C (2008) Audit cycle of newborn observations on the postnatal wards.. Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 93(6), f475.
Elder CJ, Ackerman B & Kingdon C (2008) Audit cycle of newborn observations on the postnatal wards. ARCH DIS CHILD-FETAL, 93(6), 1475-1475.
Elder CJ, Barton JS, Brook CGD, Preece MA, Dattani MT & Hindmarsh PC (2008) A Randomised Study of the Effect of Two Doses of Biosynthetic Human Growth Hormone on Final Height of Children with Familial Short Stature. Hormone Research, 70(2), 89-92.
Pilling EL, Elder CJ & Gibson AT (2008) Growth patterns in the growth-retarded premature infant.. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab, 22(3), 447-462.
Elder CJ, Sprigg A & Coombs RC (2008) Severe chest recession causing translucency on an x ray.. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed, 93(1), F23.
Elder CJ & Urquhart DS (2006) Limitations of empirical therapy for bacterial meningitis in a healthy child with Listeria monocytogenes meningitis. Journal of Pediatric Neurology, 4(1), 65-67.
Tavernier M, Ross C, Jessica C, Balagamage C, Keevil B, Ross R, Debono M & Elder C () Home waking salivary cortisone to screen for adrenal insufficiency in children. Endocrine Abstracts.
Fahad AM, Lawrence N, Elder C, Newell-Price J, Ross R & Debono M () Defining the basal serum cortisol cut-off for weaning patients off glucocorticoids in suspected tertiary adrenal insufficiency. Endocrine Abstracts.
Fahad AM, Elder C, Newell-Price J, Ross R & Debono M () Retrospective study of steroid weaning in tertiary adrenal insufficiency comparing prednisolone and hydrocortisone. Endocrine Abstracts.
Mushtaq T, Ali S, Boulos N, Boyle R, Cheetham T, Davies J, Elder C, Gan H-W, Hindmarsh P, Katugampola H , Kerr S et al () Recommendations for hydrocortisone doses for emergency management and peri-operative care for childhood adrenal insufficiency. BSPED consensus guidelines. Endocrine Abstracts.

Conference proceedings papers

Burn S, Colyer S, Dimitri P, Wright N, Krone N & Elder C (2018) Borderline peak plasma cortisol following Synacthen stimulation - single-centre analysis of three years' data. Endocrine Abstracts, Vol. 90(S1) (pp 146-146), 27 September 2018 - 29 September 2018. View this article in WRRO
Aji A, Colyer S, Burn S, Dimitri P, Wright N, Krone N & Elder C (2018) The relationship of baseline, incremental and peak cortisol following a Short Synacthen Test - single-centre analysis of three years' data. Hormone Research in Paediatrics, Vol. 90(Suppl 1) (pp 128-129), 27 September 2018 - 29 September 2018. View this article in WRRO
Cross AS, Sachdev P, Wright NP, Jabbar I & Elder CJ (2017) G175(P) Current dilution methods cause large variations and inaccuracies when making up 1MCG synacthen dose. British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Aji A, Colyer S, Burn S, Dimitri P, Wright N, Krone N & Elder C () The relationship of baseline, incremental and peak cortisol following a Short Synacthen Test - single-centre analysis of three years' data. Endocrine Abstracts

Research group

Lydia Foriestier-Zhang, MD Student