Endocrine System Disorders

endocrine system

Your endocrine system is comprised of eight major glands throughout your body. These glands are responsible for making hormones that act as chemical messengers that travel through your bloodstream to tissues or organs. The body requires different hormones in order to perform various types of functions. These hormones are significant for many reasons such as maintaining the metabolic rate of the digestive system, accommodating for a healthy pregnancy for both the mother and baby, leading the flight or fight response signals to the person, and even playing a part in sexual maturity and reproduction.  If your hormone levels are too low or too high, you may experience a hormone disorder.

The pituitary gland, which is about the size of a pea located at the base of your brain, controls all of the hormones secreted. The adrenal glands are very important organs in the body which are mainly responsible for hormones directly related to stress and the body’s ability to manage it: cortisol and adrenaline.  Stress, infection, and changes in the body’s fluid or electrolyte balance can affect a person’s hormone levels. When the adrenal glands produce too little or too much of a certain type of hormone, this is when the body’s system goes haywire.

There are numerous diseases related to the endocrine system. Modern medicine attempts to treat disorders by attempting to control how much hormone the body makes, or in the case of too little hormones, supplement it. In the United States, the most common endocrine disease is diabetes.

Clinical disorders may result in the case of an injury to a gland or a tumor. Often these can be benign in their own right but negatively impact of the pituitary’s performance. You may also see dysfunction, (rather than disorder) when the levels of the hormones are simply depleted, which is often the case with sexual performance or overperformed simply due to exhaustion (adrenal fatigue). Please note the difference between disorder, which is permanent, and dysfunction which is transient because of some changes in the body.  The following illnesses are disorders of the pituitary:

Summary hormones secreted from the pituitary gland

 

Growth Hormone Deficiency

Here, the pituitary makes inadequate amounts of growth hormone. Usually, this is congenital (there when the child is born) or it might start to emerge because of some prevailing medical condition, in particular head injuries. Growth Hormone Deficiency usually gives children some kind of deformity in the skull or their face. Cleft lips and palates can also happen because of GHD.

 

Acromegaly

Acromegaly affects the pituitary gland, causing it to make too much growth hormone (GH) in the body. Typically, the excess GH is from benign tumors on the pituitary, called adenomas. Parts of the body are overly large, hands and nose, in particular, become out of proportion with the rest of the body. During childhood, if GH-producing tumors occur, the disease that results is called gigantism rather than acromegaly. Serious health issues that arise as a result of acromegaly include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. The hormones can also affect the colon in particular causing polyps to form, becoming a high risk for developing colon cancer. Due to the pituitary gland not working effectively, this in turn affects other hormone loads for example gestational diabetes may form in men. This is a condition that would otherwise usually only affect pregnant women. Acromegaly is most often diagnosed in middle-aged adults, although symptoms can appear at any age. If not treated, acromegaly can result in serious illness and premature death.

 

Pituitary Tumors

Often, pituitary tumors can be benign, and people can have them for decades without knowing about their existence. Symptoms of a pituitary tumor include headaches, vomiting, and sight problems. The most common type of pituitary tumor produces hormones and disrupts the balance of hormones in your body. These additional hormones can also lead to other endocrine issues such as Cushing’s syndrome or hyperthyroidism. Most tumors can be cured with treatment such as medication, radiation, or chemotherapy.

 

Ovaries and Testes

The ovaries and testes rely on pituitary health for their signals to manufacture and release sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the result of either the ovaries or the adrenals secreting more male hormones than they should. This condition is most prevalent in the obese and results in cysts (fluid-filled sacs) developing on the ovaries, excess facial and bodily hair, baldness or thinning hair and patches of discolored skin. Fertility also becomes very problematic. Heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all now higher risk factors. While there is no cure for PCOS, the contraceptive pill can help reduce the swirl of hormones, helping with menstrual problems and acne.

 

Turner Syndrome

Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by an incomplete or missing X chromosome which affects a girls’ development. For most, their ovaries are dysfunctional, but they are also very tiny people and have strange webs of skin attaching their neck and shoulders, their ears are low set, as is their hairline and they have swollen feet and hands.

These girls face a large number of health challenges including high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney problems, osteoporosis, cataracts and thyroid problems. There is no cure, but if treated early enough with hormone replacement they can reach “average” height and help start sexual development. While they are theoretically “infertile” there are fertility treatments available that can help patients get pregnant during adulthood.


Adrenal gland hormone secretionAdrenal Glands

The adrenals glands are vital organs in maintaining our health and are fundamental in the link between the body, mind and spirit. These small glands are located on top of each kidney and are mainly responsible for releasing two (among others) important kinds of hormones directly related to stress and the body’s ability to deal with it: cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are important to the body for different reasons such as maintaining the metabolic rate of the digestive system, allowing for a healthy pregnancy for both the mother and the baby, sending the flight or fight response signals to the person, and even play a part in sexual maturity and reproduction. With adrenal disorders, your glands can make too much or not enough hormones. With Cushing’s syndrome, too much cortisol is made, while with Addison’s disease, there is not enough cortisol.

 

Addison's disease


Addison’s Disease

In Addison’s disease, the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the stress hormone, cortisol. In this case, the immune system mistakes the body’s own tissues as invasive threats and attacks them, damaging the adrenal glands. Other causes include infections and cancer. Symptoms include ongoing weight loss, muscle fatigue, low blood pressure, and discoloration of the skin leaving dark patches all over it. Left untreated, Addison’s can prove fatal.

 

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is a very rare hormonal disorder resulting from being exposed to too much cortisol over an extended length of time. This may be naturally produced, for example, if a tumor is causing the adrenals to overproduce, or it may be from corticosteroids prescribed for inflammatory conditions. Symptoms of Cushing’s include upper body obesity with thin arms and legs, high blood sugar, and easy bruising. Extreme fatigue coupled with muscle weakness, and increased blood pressure may also occur. Treatment for this will depend on the cause of too much cortisol. If it is because you have been taking synthetic hormones, a lower dose may alleviate symptoms. If the cause is a tumor, surgery may be required.

 

Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma is a very rare tumor that usually originates from adrenal cells. Usually benign, it can cause physiological mayhem because the glands then overproduce hormones. Blood pressure rises, along with headaches, sweating, and palpitations can all be symptoms. You will also notice that the patient is extremely pale. Often pheochromocytoma occurs with a sister condition Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome (MEN).

 

Werner’s Syndrome

This rare inherited disorder produces tumors that form in glands of the endocrine system as well as the duodenum. It affects around 1 in 30,000 people, irrespective of race, age, or gender. You might also hear this referred to as Werner’s syndrome in reference to the doctor who discovered it. Surgery is the most common treatment. Other options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells.

 

Adrenal Cancer

Most adrenal cancers are benign. They typically do not cause any symptoms, depending on the type of cancer, and may not require treatment. Treatments may include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

 

Thyroid

Your thyroid is one of your endocrine glands that makes hormones. It is found in the neck, slightly above the clavicle in the shape of a butterfly. It is responsible for how fast things happen in your body, in particular metabolism and heartbeat, as well as being an internal temperature gauge. For example, how fast you burn calories is dictated by the thyroid as well you respond to temperature changes. The thyroid requires iodine to function effectively.

 

Hyperthyroidism or over active thyroid. hyperthyreosisHyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid is too active and makes more hormones than your body needs. As a symptom of thyroid dysfunction, this overproduction of hormones is more common in older people, women, and people who have thyroid problems in general such as Grave’s Disease. Taking synthetic replacement thyroid hormones can cause an imbalance as can the consumption of too much iodine. Symptoms vary from individuals. Some may experience anxiety and irritability as well as mood swings. Others may become intolerant of heat or develop insomnia. Their hands may tremble and the heartbeat becomes irregular, digestion and diarrhea may become problematic and they may develop a large growth in the neck known as goiter.

Hypothyroidism

 

 

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to meet the body’s needs. Here, the opposite of hyperthyroidism is true. Where hyper produces diarrhea, hypo can cause constipation. The patient gains weight easily and finds it hard to lose weight. Other symptoms include a slower heart rate, while the whole body and demeanor become sluggish and as you can guess, depression sets in. It is very likely you will see reproductive system issues such as menstrual and fertility problems.

 

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a condition that causes inflammation and damages the thyroid reducing its capability to produce hormones. This is a chronic condition and one of the first indicators is a goiter. It may simply appear to be swollen or be so impacted that the sufferer can no longer breathe or swallow properly. Tiredness, thinning and dry hair, a slowed heart rate, constipation and muscle, and joint pains are common symptoms.  You will notice the skin is pale, puffy, and very cold to the touch. Damage to the gland actually physically shrinks it and over several years the goiter will eventually disappear.

Other signs and symptoms resulting from an under-active thyroid may include excessive tiredness (fatigue), weight gain or difficulty losing weight, hair that is thin and dry, a slow heart rate, joint or muscle pain, and constipation. People with this condition may also have a pale, puffy face and feel cold even when others around them are warm. Periods will become very heavy and irregular, making conception very difficult. Emotionally, the disease can be difficult with a high co-morbidity of depression. Symptoms usually appear in the mid-thirties and slowly progress over months or years.

Depositphotos_62683343_l-2015Goiters

Goiters are when the thyroid gland has become enlarged. There are several types of goiters, such as a simple goiter when the thyroid gland is unable to make enough hormones to meet the body’s needs due to the lack of iodine in a person’s diet. Toxic nodular goiter is also an enlarged thyroid gland that has small growths called nodules. 

 

Simple Goiter

Simple goiter happens in people over 40 who have a family history of this condition. When the body is unable to produce enough hormone effectively, it tries to compensate for its storage with the neck growing larger. Simple goiters may occur in people who live in areas where the soil and water do not have enough iodine. It used to be known as Derbyshire Neck, because of an area in England where many people suffered from it. They discovered later that there was no iodine in their water. “Derbyshire Neck” has since been wiped out since iodine has been added to the water supply. Other causes that may cause this illness include certain medicines (lithium, amiodarone), infections, cigarette smoking, food from the soy or peanut family, or vegetables in the broccoli and cabbage family.

 

Toxic Nodular Goiter

As described earlier, toxic nodular goiter entails an enlarged thyroid with a small, round growth or several growths called nodules. One or more of these nodules produce too much hormone and again there is not enough iodine in the diet to sustain this.

 

De Quervain’s Thyroiditis

This condition is rare and involves the swelling of the thyroid after a chronic infection of the respiratory tract. This could be due to a cold or flu, but usually, it develops after the mumps. Most common in women, the symptoms will usually recede within a month.  It can make it difficult to swallow and the throat feels tender and hoarse.

 

Graves' disease or Basedow disease. Symptoms and signsGraves’ Disease

In this condition, the thyroid overproduces hormones more than the body needs. Excess thyroid hormones can cause a variety of signs and symptoms including nervousness or anxiety, extreme tiredness or fatigue, a rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, diarrhea, increased perspiration, difficulty tolerating hot conditions, insomnia, and weight loss in spite of an increased appetite. Women affected by this condition may have menstrual irregularities, such as unusually light and infrequent periods. Some suffers may develop an enlarged thyroid called a goiter. Depending on its size, the enlarged thyroid may interfere with breathing and swallowing.

 

Silent Thyroiditis

Silent thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland. Strangely, we see a pendulum effect of symptoms first with hyperthyroidism for about three months, then hypothyroidism. It is autoimmune disease and is unclear what causes it. It could be caused by medications such as interferon and amiodarone. It more often experienced by women, particularly postnatally. Symptoms are usually mild and may include: fatigue, frequent bowel movements, heat intolerance, increased appetite, increased sweating, irregular menstrual periods, irritability, muscle cramps, nervousness, restlessness, palpitations, weakness, and weight loss.

 

Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules are a growth or lump within the thyroid that may be creating too much or too little hormone. These may or may not be cancerous or may be cysts.

 

Hormonal Regulation of CalciumParathyroid

Parathyroid glands are four glands, each about the size of a pea, that comprise part of the thyroid. The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps your body keep the right balance of calcium and phosphorous. If your parathyroid glands make too much or too little hormone, it disrupts this balance.

Calcium and phosphorus exist like a seesaw. When calcium goes up, phosphorous goes down and causes hyperparathyroidism. When phosphorus goes up, calcium plummets and hypoparathyroidism results. This may on very rare occasions be a result of parathyroid cancer or low blood levels of magnesium, but usually, you will find the parathyroid has suffered some kind of injury or it is a hormone imbalance resultant of another endocrine disorder. If you do not have enough PTH, you have hypoparathyroidism. Your blood will have too little calcium and too much phosphorous. The balance will want to be achieved through treatment.

 

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia means the body’s blood sugar is elevated. Insulin is a hormone that transports glucose into your cells to give them energy. This is particularly important to monitor in diabetics. Hyperglycemia happens when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it in the proper way. In diabetes, neglecting to take medications correctly, or eating the wrong foods will cause attacks.

 

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is when the blood sugar or blood glucose is too low. When levels drop, signals are sent to the liver to release glucose however, in hypoglycemia, there is no glucose to release. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include hunger, dizziness, shakiness, and nauseous. The patient might feel anxious, and weak and have difficulty concentrating or speaking.

Often this can be a side effect of diabetic medicines but can happen to anyone. Eating and drinking usually restore balance.


Types of DiabetesDiabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high. Glucose or blood sugar comes from the foods you eat and the body produces the hormone insulin to help the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood. This may lead to prediabetes. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious problems such as kidney damage, vision problems, and nerve damage. Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke, and lead to death. Pregnant women can also get diabetes, called gestational diabetes. A blood test can determine if you have diabetes. Exercise, weight control, and sticking to your meal plan can help control your diabetes.

 

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes means that you have blood glucose or higher blood sugar than normal, but not enough to warrant treatment for diabetes. Too much glucose in your bloodstream can cause damage to your body over time. It is possible to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or a stroke if not corrected with a diet change. Many times, people with pre-diabetes do not have any symptoms. However, if you are over 45 years old, it is recommended to be tested, especially if you are overweight.

 

Gestational Diabetes

Glucose levels can be harmful to a fetus during pregnancy, so levels must be monitored during gestation. About 7% of women develop gestational diabetes, although it does disappear after you have the baby. Those who do get gestational diabetes do have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. To help lower the risks, you should follow your meal plan, exercise, test your blood sugar, and, if needed, take your medicine.

 

 
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