Endocrinology FAQ's
Endocrinology is study of hormones and their normal & abnormal functions.
Endocrine system consists of 7 major endocrine glands namely – Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroids, Pancreas, Adrenals, Ovary & Testis. Also included in Endocrine system are Vitamin D, Bone, Fat tissue, Muscle tissue, GI tract, Pineal gland. The major hormones produced by 7 major endocrine glands are as follows:
- Pituitary – Growth hormone (GH), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Lutenizing hormone (LH), Prolactin, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Adreno-cortico trophic hormone (ACTH), Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)
- Thyroid – Triiodothyronine (T3), Tetraiodothyronine (T4)
- Parathyroids – Parathormone (PTH), Calcitonin
- Pancreas – Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin
- Adrenals – Cortisol, Aldosterone, DHEAS, Adrenaline, Nor-adrenaline
- Testis – Testosterone, Estrogen
- Ovary – Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone
Other glands and their hormones include:
- Vitamin D
- Pineal gland – Melatonin
- GI tract – GLP-1, GIP and VIP
- Bone – FGF-23, sclerostin
- Fat tissue – Leptin, Adiponectin
Hormonal problems result from either:
- Excess production or action of a hormone
- Less production or action of a hormone
- Interference of one hormone into another hormone action
Common hormonal problems include:
- Diabetes – less production or action of Insulin
- Hypoglycemia – more production or action of Insulin
- Hypothyroidism – less production of thyroid hormones
- Hyperthyroidism – more production of thyroid hormones
- Post-menopausal osteoporosis – decreased production of Estrogen at menopause
- Short height – less production or action of Growth hormone
- Acromegaly/gigantism – more production or action of Growth hormone
- Addison's disease – Less production of steroid hormone
- Cushing's syndrome – More production of steroid hormone
- PCOS – more testosterone in females
- Hirsutism – more testosterone in females
- Gynecomastia – more estrogen in males
- Low testosterone in males
- Hypercalcemia – more production or action of PTH hormone
- Hypocalcemia – less production or action of PTH hormone
- SIADH – more production or action of ADH hormone
- Diabetes insipidus – less production or action of ADH hormone
- High blood pressure – more production of adrenal hormones
- Low blood pressure – less production of adrenal hormones