Endocrine diseases fall into broad categories of hormone over- or under-production, altered tissue response to hormones, or tumours arising from endocrine tissue.

COMMON ENDOCRINE DISORDERS 

Type 2 Diabetes 

Type 1 Diabetes

Thyroid Nodules

Hypothyroidism

Osteoporosis

Thyroid Cancer

Addison’s disease

Cushing’s syndrome 

Acromegaly or gigantism

Pituitary adenomas

Galactorrhoea 

Precocious puberty

Delayed puberty

Endocrine causes of high blood pressure

Gestational Diabetes (Diabetes during pregnancy)

Graves’ disease

Growth Hormone deficiency—short stature

Hirsutism 

Abnormal genital organs at birth (ambiguous genitalia)

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hyperparathyroidism (High calcium levels)

Hyperthyroidism

Hypoglycemia

Hypoparathyroidism (Low calcium levels)

Low Testosterone

Menopause

Obesity

Pre-diabetes

Neuroendocrine tumours

ENDOCRINE GLANDS 

PITUITARY GLAND

This is a small, pea-sized gland located just above the back of the nose. This gland is aptly called as the master gland of the endocrine organs, as it secretes various hormones which directly or indirectly affect most basic bodily functions. The main hormones secreted by pituitary are ACTH, TSH, FSH, LH, prolactin, growth hormone and vasopressin. They control other endocrine organs such as adrenals, thyroid, testes and ovaries. Deficiency of hormones due to various reasons will lead to infertility, weight loss, intolerance to cold, low blood pressure, diarrhoea and vomiting and may even lead to death. Growth hormone deficiency in childhood will lead to short stature. Vasopressin deficiency leads to excess urination.

Tumours from the gland produce Cushing’s disease (excess fat deposition in face, body and abdomen), acromegaly (increase in the size of hands, feet and face), milk secretion from breasts and disordered menstrual cycles along with infertility, or sometimes cause pressure effects in the vicinity to manifest as poor vision and headache.

THYROID GLAND

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located in the centre of neck. The thyroid hormones namely T4 and T3 regulate the metabolism (how the body produces energy by burning calories) of body and directly influence the heart, muscles, cholesterol levels, body weight and mental state.

Excess thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion from the thyroid gland is called hyperthyroidism, whereas clinical state of excess thyroid hormones in blood is called thyrotoxicosis. Hyperthyroidism is said to be present when there is excess of thyroid hormones in the blood, which causes the TSH hormone to become very low or undetectable; hypothyroidism is when less of thyroid hormones are produced, which increases the TSH. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, palpitations, difficulty to get up from sitting position, increased frequency of stool etc. The most common cause of thyrotoxicosis is Graves’ disease, followed by other causes like thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland) and growths in the thyroid gland (multinodular goitre or autonomously functioning thyroid nodule). Hyperthyroidism, if left untreated or partially treated, may lead to cardiac rhythm abnormalities like atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis and a life-threatening condition called thyroid storm. Regular check-ups are important for hyperthyroidism and treatment consists of medicines, radioiodine or surgery. People with Graves’ disease are at high risk for developing an eye condition called Graves’ ophthalmopathy, where the eyes protrude excessively.

Most common cause of hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is the result of body’s own natural defence (immune) system attacking the thyroid gland. Other causes include surgery to remove thyroid gland or radiation treatment of the thyroid etc. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, lethargy, depression, memory problems, constipation, dry skin and intolerance to cold. Untreated hypothyroidism in new-borns can lead to mental retardation. Improperly treated hypothyroidism in adolescents may lead on to short stature and poor scholastic performance. Treatment of hypothyroidism is by replacing thyroid hormone, which if taken in appropriate doses, is side effect free. Most often this treatment is for life. It is sometimes possible to stop thyroid hormone replacement in cases of subclinical hypothyroidism, especially when started during pregnancy.

PARATHYROID GLANDS

They are four in number and are embedded in the back side of the thyroid gland. Parathormone (PTH) secreted by these glands regulate the metabolism of calcium and phosphorous in the body. Too little of PTH will lead to low calcium levels, which is manifested as muscle cramps, weakness, headaches, nervousness and tetany (uncontrollable twitching and crampy spasms of the hands, feet, arms and/or face). High levels of PTH will increase the blood levels of calcium which in turn can cause excessive urination, fractures and kidney stones.

ADRENAL GLANDS

There are a pair of these glands, situated above each kidney. Adrenals secrete many hormones, one of them is adrenaline, which is the main blood pressure raising hormone. Tumours producing adrenaline (Pheochromocytoma) can produce high blood pressure together with paroxysms of palpitation, nervousness and sweating. Cortisol, another hormone from adrenal glands, if produced in excess will lead to Cushing’s syndrome characterised by obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and psychiatric disturbances. Deficiency of cortisol is life threatening, called as Addison’s disease, prompt treatment of which is important for resumption of normal life. Aldosterone, another hormone from adrenal glands, when produced in excess, is the culprit for a condition called Conn’s syndrome, which is yet another cause of severe and resistant hypertension. 

ISLETS OF LANGERHANS

These are islands of small cells dispersed widely in the pancreas that produce insulin and glucagon, which regulate the blood sugar levels. Disorders of this gland will produce diabetes; insulin producing tumours will produce hypoglycemia.

OVARIES

There are a pair of ovaries in women that produce ovum and female sex hormones. Disorders of these glands produce disruptions of normal sexual development, absent menstrual cycles and infertility.

TESTES

These are a pair of organs situated in the scrotum in men that produce male sex hormones and sperm. Disorders of these glands include abnormal sexual development, impotence and fertility problems.