Endocrinology FAQ's

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What is Endocrinology?

Endocrinology is the study of hormones and their normal & abnormal functions.

The endocrine system consists of 7 major endocrine glands namely – Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroids, Pancreas, Adrenals, Ovary & Testis. Also included in the 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), Luteinizing 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
What are different hormonal problems?

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
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