Endocrine Disorders

GIGANTISM

• Hyperfunction of pituitary – too much growth

hormone

• In preadolescent – overgrowth of long bones

leads to excessive tallness

These are pictures of the man known as “The Alton Giant”, Robert Wadlow.

ACROMEGALY

• Hyperfunction of pituitary – too much growth

hormone in adulthood

• Overdevelopment of bones in face, hands and

feet

• Attacks cartilage – so the chin protrudes, lips

nose and extremities enlarge

• Rx – drugs to inhibit growth hormone,

radiation

Richard Kiel

DWARFISM

• Hypofunction of pituitary in childhood

• Small size, but body proportions and intellect

are normal

• Sexual immaturity

• Rx – early diagnosis, injection of growth

hormone

Problems with the pituitary gland can result in Dwarfism

HYPERTHYROIDISM• Overactive thyroid gland• Too much thyroxine secreted leading to enlargement of gland• People with this disease consume largequantities of food but lose body fat and weight• Most pronounced symptoms are enlargementof gland (GOITER) and bulging of eyeballs(EXOPHTHALMOS)• Rx – total or partial removal of thyroid gland, drugs to reduce thyroxine, radiation

Goiter

Hyperthyroidism (Grave’s Disease)

HYPOTHYROIDISM

• Not enough thyroxine secreted

• May be due to lack of iodine (simple goiter)

• Major cause of other types is inflammation of

thyroid which destroys the ability of the gland

to make thyroxine

• Symps – dry and itchy skin, dry and brittle

hair, constipation, muscle cramps at night

HypothyroidismBefore and After Treatment

Cretinism (hypothyroidism in infants)

TETANY

• In hypoparathyroidism, decreased calcium

levels affect function of nerves

• Convulsive twitching develops, person dies of

spasms in the respiratory muscles

• Rx – Vitamin D, calcium and parathormone

CUSHING’S SYNDROME

• Hypersecretion of adrenal cortex

• May be caused by adrenal cortical tumor or

prolonged use of prednisone

• Symps – high blood pressure, muscle

weakness, obesity, poor healing, tendency to

bruise, hirsutism (excessive hair growth),

menstrual disorders

• Rounded moon face and buffalo hump

• Rx – surgical removal of tumor

Adrenal Gland Disorders

• Cushing’s syndromeo hypersecretion of cortisol o Round “moon” face and “buffalo

hump”

ADDISON’S DISEASE

• Hypofunction of

adrenal cortex

• Symps – bronzing of skin, hypoglycemia,

hypotension, etc.

• Rx – replace deficient hormones

• Addison’s diseaseo Hyposecretion of cortisolo Low blood pressure resultso Increased pigmentation

Steroid Abuse in Sports

• Anabolic steroids (androgens) can help build

bigger, stronger muscles

• Risks far outweigh temporary improvements –

males have liver changes, atrophy of testicles,

breast enlargement, and cardiovascular

disease

• Female risks include amenorrhea, abnormal

placement of body hair, baldness, voice

changes

Diabetes Mellitus

Pancreas• The pancreas is a large gland behind your

stomach that helps the body to maintain healthy blood sugar (glucose) levels.Contains islands of cells called the Islets of Langerhans which secrete glucagon and insulin

• Glucagon – stimulates the liver to break down glycogen, raises blood sugar concentration

• Insulin – decreases blood sugar concentrations, affects the uptake of glucose by cells

*Both hormones work together to maintain a balance in the blood sugar

Diabetes

• Diabetes Mellitus – results from an insulin deficiency, blood sugar rises (hypoglycemia) and excess is excreted in the urine.

• Type I - insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile onset diabetes, often caused by inherited immune disorder that destroys pancreatic cells

• Type II – mature onset diabetes (usually after the age of 40), often individuals are overweight, can be controlled with diet and exercise

Blood sugar test, device pricks the finger and measures the amount of sugar in the blood

Injection of insulin will lower the blood sugar levels

Hypoglycemia can occur if levels become too low, can be cured with direct injection of glucose or with eating something high in sugar. This is why diabetics often have candy.