Disorders of the Endocrine System
Addison’s disease
Caused by undersecretion of adrenal steroid
hormones. Results in weakness, nausea, low
circulation, and bronzing of the skin.
Adenoma
A tumor of a gland.
Adrenogenital syndrome
Oversecretion of adrenal sex hormones,
resulting in intense masculinizing of the
body.
Aldosteronism
Overproduction of the adrenal hormone
aldosterone, resulting in a decrease in the
body’s potassium store.
Cretinism
Dwarfism and mental retardation caused by
too little thyroxine in childhood.
Cushing’s syndrome
Caused by oversecretion of glucocorticoid
hormones from the adrenals. Results in a
redistribution of body fat and other effects.
Diabetes insipidus
Effect of underproduction of the hormone
ADH.
Diabetes mellitus
Condition characterized by frequent thirst
and urination and due to excess amounts of
sugar in the blood. Results from a lack of
insulin.
Gigantism
Oversecretion of growth hormone in
childhood, resulting in taller-than-average
stature. If the oversecretion occurs in
adulthood, the condition is acromegaly,
resulting in a thickening of facial bones and
fingers.
Goiter
An abnormal growth of thyroid tissue due to
lack of iodine.
Gynecomastia
Excessive growth of the male mammary
gland caused by oversecretion of feminizing
hormones.
Hypersecretion
Overproduction (of a hormone).
Underproduction is called hyposecretion.
Hyperthyroidism
Oversecretion of thyroxine, resulting in
increased metabolic and heart rates,
circulation, and blood pressure.
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Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar, which can cause anxiety,
tremors, weakness, and even
unconsciousness and death.
Hypothyroidism
Undersecretion of thyroxine, resulting in a
very low metabolic rate and sluggish activity,
sometimes accompanied by obesity.
Myxedema
Accumulation of water in skin resulting from
thyroid hormone deficiency in adults.
Pituitary dwarfism
Undersecretion of growth hormone from the
pituitary gland in childhood, resulting in
smaller-than-average stature.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Condition resulting from changes in the
body’s level of the hormone melatonin. The
level varies seasonally: it is higher in winter
and lower in summer, when increased
daylight inhibits its production. Symptoms
include tiredness and depression.
Simmond’s disease
Undersecretion of pituitary hormones during
adulthood, resulting in symptoms of
deficiency of thyroid, adrenal, and sex
hormones.
Tetany
Muscle twitches, spasms, and convulsions
resulting from a lack of calcium in the blood.
It may be caused by a dysfunction in the
parathyroid glands (hypoparathyroidism).
Thyrotoxicosis
Overactivity of the thyroid gland, often due
to an autoimmune disease of the thyroid.