When the parts of the endocrine system shut

down…

Remember that the endocrine system regulates…

* body energy levels * reproduction * growth and development * internal balance of body systems,

called homeostasis * responses to surroundings, stress

and injury

Disorders• Endocrine system diseases and

disorders happen when one or more of the endocrine systems in your body are not working well.

• These irregularities are also called a hormone imbalance.– not be enough receptors, or binding sites,– regulating the hormones in the blood

stream,– the body may have difficulty controlling

hormone levels because of problems clearing hormones from the blood

Diabetes• Too much sugar (glucose) in the blood

stream• occurs when the pancreas does not produce

the hormone insulin• Insulin is necessary in carrying the sugar to

the cells for cellular respiration– If insulin is not present, sugar not converted into

energy, thus metabolism cannot occu

• Symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision, excessive thirst, and excessive urination.

Growth disorders• Growth and development controlled by the

pituitary gland• Growth Hormone (somatotropin) is release

by the pituitary and controlled by the hypothalmus

• Bones, muscles, and other tissues are affected by GH– In children: stimulates linear growth, or height

• development of muscle and bone• distribution of body fat throughout the body

– In adults: affects energy, muscle strength, bone health, and psychological well being

Growth disorders continued…• too much GH = acromegaly (adults)

– caused by a non-cancerous pituitary gland tumor of the pituitary gland

– too much GH in children causes gigantism.– Rare

• growth hormone deficiency (GHD)– A child can be born with GHD.– The condition also may arise because of damage

to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland as a child or adult because of a tumor, an infection, or radiation to the brain — usually for the treatment of a tumor.

– A deficiency in GH may also have an undefined cause.

growth hormone deficiency (GHD)

• Children– grow less than two inches per year– have extra fat in the abdomen and face– blood sugar levels also may be low– may experience emotional distress

• Adults– acquired the deficiency after reaching maturity– Increased body fat (particularly at the waist and in

the face)– Decreased muscle and bone mass– Thinning skin with fine wrinkles– Poor sweating or impaired temperature regulation– Reduced strength and endurance– Low energy level– Decreased well-being (moodiness, mild

depression)– Loss of interest in sex– Poor sleep– Higher cholesterol levels, especially LDL (“bad”)

cholesterol– Overproduction of insulin

Reproductive

• Menopause - the ability to become pregnant ceases

• May take 10 years to complete• Average age range 47-55• Estrogen levels drop, egg release halts• May be caused earlier due to

– Removal of ovaries– Radiation/chemotherapy– Gland disorders– Severe illness

Osteoperosis• a progressive condition in which bones

become structurally weak and are more likely to fracture or break

• Bones in the hip, spine, and wrist are especially prone to fragility fractures

• Hormones that affect bone loss:– Estrogen= protects bone– Loss of testosterone– excess cortisol = produced in the adrenal gland– too much of the hormone prolactin– high doses of thyroid hormone also have a higher

risk.

pituitary gland • pituitary tumors• can interfere with the normal formation and

release of hormones.• Two types of tumors exist - secretory and non-

secretory– Hypersecretion = too much hormone secreted– Hyposecretion = too little hormone secreted– Tumor mass effects = tumor presses against pituitary

gland• Headaches, hyposecretion related problems• Caused by major head trauma or medications

Polycystic Ovary SyndromePCOS

• Ovaries produce small amounts of androgens to control egg release

• PCOS = too much of any type of androgen is produced

• Cysts (follicles), contain eggs and build up in the ovaries

• leading cause of infertility• is likely that it is a genetic disorder

Thyroid Disorders

• Thyroid hormones regulate how the body breaks down food and either uses that energy immediately or stores it for the future

• Thyroid hormones influence virtually every organ system in the body.

• also regulate the consumption of oxygen and the production of heat

Hyperthyroidism

• Too much thyroid hormone from an overactive thyroid gland

• speeds up the body's metabolism

• 1% of women get it, more common in women than men

• Affects women between 20-40– Muscle weakness– Trembling hands– Rapid heartbeat– Fatigue– Weight loss– Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements– Irritability and anxiety– Vision problems (irritated eyes or difficulty seeing)– Menstrual irregularities– Intolerance to heat and increased sweating– Infertility

Hypothyroidism• Too little thyroid hormone from an

underactive thyroid gland• body's metabolism is slowed• Maybe a result of the pituitary gland not

producing Thyroid homone Releasing hormone

• causing many physical and mental processes to become sluggish

• body consumes less oxygen and produces less body heat

• Fatigue• Mental depression• Sluggishness• Feeling cold• Weight gain• Dry skin and hair• Constipation• Menstrual irregularities

Thyroid Nodules

• small swelling or lump in the thyroid gland• nodules represent either a growth of thyroid

tissue or a fluid-filled cyst• most nodules are not cancerous• some thyroid nodules may produce too much

thyroid hormone or become too large, interfering with an individual's breathing or swallowing or may cause neck discomfort.