The endocrine system

• Endocrine system


  A network of glands and organs located throughout the body that uses chemical messengers called hormones to regulate a range of bodily functions
• Types of glands


  • Endocrine glands (release hormones directly into the bloodstream)
  • Exocrine glands (like lymph nodes and sweat glands, not part of the endocrine system)
• Glands of the endocrine system

  • Adrenal
  • Ovary
  • Pituitary
  • Pancreas
  • Pineal
  • Parathyroid
  • Thyroid
• Hormone


  Chemical messenger released by endocrine glands to regulate bodily functions
• Hormones


  • Adrenaline
  • Aldosterone
  • Cortisol
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S)
  • Estrogen
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Glucagon
  • Insulin
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • Melatonin
  • Oxytocin
  • Parathyroid hormone
  • Progesterone
  • Prolactin
  • Testosterone
  • Thyroid hormone
• Endocrine disorders


  Occur when one or more parts of the endocrine system do not work correctly, typically causing high or low levels of certain hormones or the body not responding correctly to certain hormones
• Causes of endocrine disorders

  • Underproduction of a certain hormone
  • Overproduction of a certain hormone
  • Malfunction in the production line of a hormone or in its ability to function correctly
• Examples of endocrine disorders


  • Diabetes
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
  • Cushing's disease
  • Gigantism (acromegaly) and other growth hormone problems
  • Hypopituitarism
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and 2 (MEN1 and MEN2)
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Precocious puberty
  • Addison's disease
• Hyperthyroidism


  Condition where the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone than necessary, causing symptoms like fatigue, nervousness, weight loss, diarrhea, issues tolerating heat, and fast heart rate. Treated with medication to supplement thyroid hormone.
• Diabetes


  Condition where blood sugar levels aren't regulated within a certain range, causing symptoms like fatigue, increased hunger/thirst, frequent urination, irritability, and frequent infections. Treated with blood sugar monitoring, insulin therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes.
• Addison's disease


  Condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough cortisol or aldosterone, causing symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, low blood sugar, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, and craving for salt. Treated with medications to replace the lacking hormones.
• Cushing's syndrome


  Condition where there is an excess of the hormone cortisol, causing symptoms like weight gain, thin arms/legs, rounded face, fatty lump between shoulders, excessive hair growth, muscle weakness, blurry vision, decreased fertility/sex drive, tiredness, and easy bruising/stretch marks.
• Symptoms of endocrine disorders

  • Changes in heart rate
  • Changes to skin or eyes
  • Bone fractures
  • High blood sugar levels
  • High calcium levels
  • Low or high blood pressure
  • Unexplained changes in weight
  • Loss of sex drive
  • Infertility
  • Menstrual cycle disorders
  • Mood swings
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
• Diagnosis of endocrine disorders

  • Urine tests
  • Imaging scans (e.g. MRI)
  • Genetic tests
  • Hormone tests
  • Blood tests
• Treatments for endocrine disorders

  • Medication to rebalance hormones and treat symptoms
  • Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for cancerous tumours
  • Surgery to remove a tumour affecting hormone production