5 Endocrine Diseases

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Thehormonal system, also called the endocrine system, is a network of glands and organs that make hormones. Sometimes, the body may make too many or too few hormones, or it might stop responding properly to them. This can result in endocrine disorders and diseases. Explore the topics below to learn more.

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The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and release hormones. These hormones help control many important body functions, including the body's ability to change calories into energy that powers cells and organs. The endocrine system affects how your heart beats, how your bones and tissues grow, and even your ability to make a baby.

Disorders of the endocrine system happen if your hormone levels are too high or too low, or if your body doesn't respond to hormones in the expected way. You may develop diabetes, thyroid disease, growth disorders, sexual dysfunction, and a host of other hormone-related disorders.

The endocrine feedback system helps control the balance of hormones in the bloodstream. If your body has too much or too little of a certain hormone, the feedback system signals the proper gland or glands to correct the problem. A hormone imbalance may occur if this feedback system has trouble keeping the right level of hormones in the bloodstream, or if your body doesn't clear them out of the bloodstream properly.

Most endocrine tumors and nodules (lumps) are noncancerous. They usually don't spread to other parts of the body. However, a tumor or nodule on the gland may interfere with the gland's hormone production.

The symptoms of an endocrine disorder vary widely and depend on the specific gland involved. However, most people with endocrine disease complain of fatigue and weakness. Certain symptoms may make you think you have a different disease or disorder. Some symptoms that are worth talking to your doctor about include:

Adrenal insufficiency. The adrenal gland releases too little of the hormone cortisol and sometimes, aldosterone. Symptoms include fatigue, stomach upset, dehydration, and skin changes. Addison's disease is a type of adrenal insufficiency.

Cushing's disease. The overproduction of a pituitary gland hormone leads to an overactive adrenal gland. A similar condition called Cushing's syndrome may occur in people, particularly children, who take high doses of corticosteroid medications.

Hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, leading to weight loss, fast heart rate, sweating, and nervousness. The most common cause for an overactive thyroid is an autoimmune disorder called Grave's disease.

Hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, leading to fatigue, constipation, dry skin, and depression. The underactive gland can cause slowed development in children. Some types of hypothyroidism are present at birth.

Hypopituitarism. In this condition, the pituitary gland releases little or no hormones. It may be caused by several different diseases. Women with this condition may stop getting their periods.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and 2 (MEN1 and MEN2). These rare, genetic conditions are passed down through families. They cause tumors of the parathyroid, adrenal, and thyroid glands, leading to overproduction of hormones.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The overproduction of androgens interferes with the development of eggs and their release from the female ovaries. PCOS is a leading cause of infertility.

Treatment of endocrine disorders can be complicated, as a change in one hormone level can throw off another. Your doctor or specialist may order routine blood work to check for problems or to determine if your medication or treatment plan needs to be adjusted.

Your endocrine system releases hormones that affect how your body develops and functions. An endocrine system malfunction, caused by genetics, infection, or other factors, can result in various disorders such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). If you have fatigue or weakness regularly, it could be a sign of an endocrine disorder, so consult your doctor so that they can diagnose and treat your condition.

Endocrine disorders are often quite complex, involving a mixed picture of hyposecretion and hypersecretion because of the feedback mechanisms involved in the endocrine system. For example, most forms of hyperthyroidism are associated with an excess of thyroid hormone and a low level of thyroid stimulating hormone.[2]

In endocrinology, medical emergencies include diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, hypoglycemic coma, acute adrenocortical insufficiency, phaeochromocytoma crisis, hypercalcemic crisis, thyroid storm, myxoedema coma and pituitary apoplexy.[7]

Emergencies arising from decompensated pheochromocytomas or parathyroid adenomas are sometimes referred for emergency resection when aggressive medical therapies fail to control the patient's state, however the surgical risks are significant, especially blood pressure lability and the possibility of cardiovascular collapse after resection (due to a brutal drop in respectively catecholamines and calcium, which must be compensated with gradual normalization).[8][9] It remains debated when emergency surgery is appropriate as opposed to urgent or elective surgery after continued attempts to stabilize the patient, notably in view of newer and more efficient medications and protocols.[10][11][12]

Your endocrine system includes eight major glands throughout your body. These glands make hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers. They travel through your bloodstream to tissues or organs. Hormones work slowly and affect body processes from head to toe. These include:

If your hormone levels are too high or too low, you may have a hormone disorder. Hormone diseases also occur if your body does not respond to hormones the way it is supposed to. Stress, infection and changes in your blood's fluid and electrolyte balance can also influence hormone levels.

In the United States, the most common endocrine disease is diabetes. There are many others. They are usually treated by controlling how much hormone your body makes. Hormone supplements can help if the problem is too little of a hormone.

An endocrine disorder results from the improper function of the endocrine system, which includes the glands that secrete hormones, the receptors that respond to hormones and the organs that are directly impacted by hormones. At any one of these points, dysfunction can occur and cause wide-ranging effects on the body.

Some of the most common types of endocrine disorders include:

Diagnosing an endocrine disorder is a complex process, as the endocrine system is an interconnected structure that regulates many different bodily functions, like growth, metabolism and reproduction.

If your physician suspects you may have an endocrine disease, you may be referred to an endocrinologist. This specialist will likely order specific testing to confirm a diagnosis, such as:

Dr. Kelly Wood is an ABMS board certified endocrinologist and internal medicine physician who treats adults with diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and other hormonal conditions. She achieved her fellowship in endocrinology from University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.

Caitlin Geng lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and three dogs. Her work, which has appeared in print and digital publications, mainly deals with health, mental well-being, parenting, and beauty. When she is not writing, Caitlin is usually curled up on the couch with her dogs, reading comics or a good book.

Endocrine disorders have several potential causes, such as tumors, genetic factors, or hormonal imbalances. Because these conditions affect hormones, they can cause a wide range of symptoms and influence growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, and mood.

The endocrine system is a collection of glands and organs that regulate bodily processes using hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to influence bodily processes.

Endocrine disorders occur when one or more parts of the system do not work correctly. This typically causes high or low levels of certain hormones or results in the body not responding correctly to certain hormones. This can lead to problems around the body.

Some problems result from hormonal imbalances. For example, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism relate to the amount of thyroid hormones the thyroid gland produces and whether it is overactive or underactive. Also, high androgen levels in females can cause polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Diabetes is a condition that causes high blood glucose levels due to the body being unable to either produce or use insulin sufficiently to regulate glucose. Two of the most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2.

Endocrine disorders cause a wide range of symptoms. Many of these symptoms overlap with those of other conditions. This can make endocrine disorders difficult to diagnose, and diagnosis may require a number of tools and tests.

Endocrine disorders can be difficult to identify due to their wide range of symptoms and their similarity to other conditions. Anyone who is experiencing any unusual symptoms that could suggest an endocrine disorder should contact a doctor.

Endocrine disorders can be challenging to identify due to the range of symptoms they cause and their similarity to other conditions. However, people who are experiencing symptoms should contact a doctor, as the conditions typically require treatment.

The endocrine system of the body is the system of glands that produce hormones vital to normal growth and metabolism. Endocrine diseases refer to diseases in which these glands are either producing too much of a hormone, or not enough. This excess of lack of hormone can lead to symptoms which the Purdue Small Animal Internal Medicine service can manage through a variety a medical and interventional means. Some examples of endocrine diseases include those that affect the adrenal glands, the thyroid glands, and the pancreas (specifically Diabetes Mellitus).

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