Hugo

• The endocrine system consists of the following:
• Hypothalamus


  • This part of the brain regulates hunger, thirst, and body temperature. It also secretes hormones that signal the pituitary gland to release hormones.
• Pituitary gland


  • This is a small gland at the base of your brain that releases hormones affecting the functions of many other glands in your body.
• Pineal gland


  • This gland produces melatonin, which helps regulate your sleep cycle.
• Thyroid gland


  • This gland in your neck helps regulate metabolism and growth.
• Parathyroid glands


  • These glands are located behind the thyroid gland. They release a hormone that regulates the level of calcium in your blood.
• Thymus


  • This gland makes hormones involved in producing white blood cells, which help your body fight infections.
• Pancreas


  • This organ helps regulate digestion and produces insulin, which helps regulate your blood sugar levels.
• Adrenal glands


  • These glands control many bodily functions, including blood pressure and heart rate. They are located near your kidneys.
• Testes


  • These glands produce sperm and testosterone.
• Ovaries


  • These glands produce eggs, estrogen, and progesterone.
• Hypothalamus is not included as part of the endocrine gland in some textbooks but it is responsible for producing certain hormones that affect the activities of the pituitary and other organs in the body
• Diabetes occurs when your pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or your body cannot use it properly. It results in your bloodstream containing too much glucose, which can lead to many serious health problems. It is the most common endocrine disorder in the United States and in the Philippines.
• Types of diabetes


  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Gestational diabetes
• Type 1 diabetes


  • Your body does not make insulin. Often diagnosed in childhood.
• Type 2 diabetes


  • Your body cannot make or use insulin properly. Often affects people over 45 years old.
• Gestational diabetes


  • Affects people during pregnancy when the body isn’t able to produce enough insulin. Can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
• Causes of type 1 diabetes

  Immune system interferes with the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin. Genetics and environmental factors may play a role.
• Causes of type 2 diabetes


  Genetics, lifestyle factors, and the body’s inability to use insulin properly.
• Causes of gestational diabetes

  Hormonal changes during pregnancy, along with genetics and lifestyle factors.
• Signs and symptoms of diabetes

  • Blurry vision
  • Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Dry skin
  • Sores that heal slowly
  • More frequent infections
• The signs and symptoms of diabetes may vary depending on the type. Some common signs and symptoms include: frequent urination
• Signs and symptoms of diabetes

  • blurry vision
  • numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
  • unusual tiredness
  • dry skin
  • sores that heal slowly
  • more frequent infections
  • frequent urination, especially at night
  • unusually frequent thirst
  • unexplained weight loss
  • unusually frequent hunger
• Type 1 diabetes


  • Thought to result from an immune system reaction targeting pancreatic cells that produce insulin
  • Higher risk with close family members having the condition or being a child, adolescent, or young adult
• Type 2 diabetes


  • Risk factors include genetics, family history, low physical activity, overweight, obesity, and insulin resistance
• Gestational diabetes


  • Risk factors include family history of diabetes, overweight, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), previous gestational diabetes, giving birth to a baby over 9 pounds, and being older than 25 years
• Diagnosis of diabetes


  1. Fasting plasma glucose test

  2. Oral glucose tolerance test

  3. A1C test

  4. Random blood glucose test
• Treatments for diabetes


  1. Type 1 diabetes requires daily insulin and regular blood sugar monitoring

  2. Type 2 diabetes may be treated with medications like metformin, lifestyle adjustments, and monitoring

  3. Gestational diabetes management includes blood sugar monitoring, diet, physical activity, and possibly medications like insulin or metformin
• Potential complications of diabetes

  • heart and blood vessel damage
  • nerve damage
  • kidney damage
  • skin and mouth conditions
  • osteoporosis
  • vision changes or loss
  • chronic high blood pressure
  • high blood acidity
• Hyperthyroidism


  • Occurs when the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than needed
  • Causes include Graves’ disease, thyroiditis, too much iodine, too much thyroid hormone medication, overactive thyroid nodules, and noncancerous tumors on the pituitary gland
• Graves’ disease


  • Most common cause of hyperthyroidism, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid causing it to produce excess thyroid hormone
• Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid, causing it to produce too much thyroid hormone
• Overactive thyroid nodules, or lumps in the thyroid, are common and usually not cancerous. However, one or more nodules may become overactive and produce too much thyroid hormone, often found in older adults
• Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland, which can cause thyroid hormone to leak out into the bloodstream, leading to symptoms of hyperthyroidism
• Symptoms of hyperthyroidism


  • Weight loss despite an increased appetite
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Nervousness, irritability, trouble sleeping, fatigue
  • Shaky hands, muscle weakness
  • Sweating or trouble tolerating heat
  • Frequent bowel movements
  • An enlargement in the neck, called a goiter
  • In older adults, symptoms may be mistaken for depression or dementia, with different symptoms such as loss of appetite or withdrawal from people
• Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism


  After examining symptoms and medical history, doctors can use blood tests to measure thyroid hormone levels, ultrasound to find thyroid nodules, and radioactive iodine uptake test to measure iodine usage by the thyroid
• Imaging Tests for diagnosing hyperthyroidism

  1. Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test: pt. takes a small dose of radioactive iodine to see how much the thyroid absorbs, followed by a scan to check the absorbed amount

  2. Thyroid scan: measures absorbed radioactivity by the thyroid, looking for lumps, nodules, inflammation, swelling, goiter, or thyroid cancer

  3. Thyroid ultrasound: uses sound waves to create images of the thyroid, allowing the provider to look for nodules
• Physical exam for diagnosing hyperthyroidism


  Healthcare provider may check the thyroid for enlargement, bumpy or tender areas, eyes for signs of Graves’ eye disease, heart for rapid or irregular heartbeat, hands for tremors, and skin
• Heart examination


  Your provider may use a stethoscope to listen to your heart for a rapid and/or irregular heartbeat
• Hand examination


  Your provider may have you outstretch your hands to see if you have a tremor. They may also look for changes in your fingernails