Endocrine Health Conditions

Endocrine system diseases and disorders happen when one or more of the endocrine glands in your body are not working properly. Hormones may be released in amounts that are too great or too small for the body to work normally. These irregularities are also called a hormone imbalance. There may not be enough receptors, or binding sites, for the hormones so that they can direct the work that needs to be done. These hormone imbalances may be the result of a problem with the system regulating the hormones in the blood stream, or the body may have difficulty controlling hormone levels because of problems clearing hormones from the blood. For example, a hormone imbalance may occur if a person's liver or kidneys are not working well, resulting in a hormone level in the bloodstream that is too high.

What are the most common endocrine diseases and disorders?

Diseases and disorders of the endocrine system can be grouped into several different areas. The major areas of endocrinology are described below.

Diabetes
Patients with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood. Recent studies have found that controlling blood sugar helps prevent serious problems that can be caused by diabetes. These can include problems with the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and circulatory system which can lead to blindness, dialysis, or amputation. Endocrinologists treat diabetes with diet and medications, including insulin. They also work closely with patients to control blood sugar and monitor them so they can prevent health problems.

Thyroid
Patients with thyroid conditions often have problems with their energy levels. They may also have problems with muscle strength, emotions, weight control, and tolerating heat or cold. Endocrinologists treat patients with too much or too little thyroid hormone (conditions respectively caused by either an overactive or underactive thyroid). They help patients reach a hormone balance by replacing or blocking thyroid hormone. Endocrinologists also receive special training to manage patients with thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer, and enlarged thyroid glands.

Bone
Osteomalacia, which causes bones to soften, and osteoporosis are bone diseases that endocrinologists diagnose and treat. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your skeleton. Certain hormones act to protect bone tissue. When hormone levels are abnormal, bones can lose calcium and weaken. Menopause, in women, and loss of testicle function, in men, and aging may put you at risk for bone fractures. Endocrinologists treat other disorders that can affect bones, such as too much parathyroid hormone and long term use of steroids like prednisone.

Detecting Osteoporosis:

Following a comprehensive medical assessment, your doctor may recommend that you have your bone mass measured. A bone mineral density (BMD) test is the best way to determine your bone health. BMD tests can identify osteoporosis, determine your risk for fractures (broken bones), and measure your response to osteoporosis treatment. The most widely recognized BMD test is a DXA screening. It is painless – similar to having an X-Ray, but with much less exposure to radiation.

A DXA screening can:

• Detect low bone density before a fracture occurs.
• Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis if you already have one or more fractures.
• Predict your chances of fracturing in the future.
• Determine your rate of bone loss, and monitor the effects of treatment if the test is conducted at intervals of a year or more.

Please visit our Bone Density Testing web page for more information on the services The Osteoporosis Center provides.

For more Osteoporosis information, please view the Bone Tool Kit (PDF) created by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, or visit our Links & Resources web page.

PDFs: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF forms. If you do not have this program, you may download it for free here.

Reproduction/Infertility
About one in ten American couples are infertile. Endocrine research has helped thousands of couples to have children. Endocrinologists diagnose and treat hormone imbalances that can cause infertility, and also assess and treat patients with reproductive problems. They work with patients who need hormone replacement. Problems treated by endocrinologists specializing in reproductive endocrinology include menopause symptoms, irregular periods, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual syndrome, and impotence.

Obesity and Overweight
Endocrinologists treat patients who are overweight or obese, sometimes because of metabolic and hormonal problems. When someone is obese they have too much body fat. Thyroid, adrenal, ovarian, and pituitary disorders can cause obesity. Endocrinologists also identify factors linked with obesity, such as insulin resistance and genetic problems.

Pituitary Gland
The pituitary is often called the master gland of the body because it controls other glands. The pituitary makes several important hormones. Over - or under - production of pituitary hormones can cause a hormone imbalance that can lead to infertility, menstrual disorders, growth disorders (acromegaly or short stature) and too much cortisol production (Cushing's syndrome). Endocrinologists control these conditions with medications and refer patients who need surgery.

Growth
Children and adults can have effects from not making enough growth hormone. Adults with growth hormone deficiency can experience emotional distress and fatigue. Safe and effective growth hormone replacement therapy is available for people with growth hormone imbalance.

Hypertension
Hypertension is high blood pressure, and it is a risk factor for heart disease. Up to 10% of people have hypertension because of too much aldosterone, a hormone produced in the adrenal glands. About half of these cases are caused by growths that can be removed with surgery. Conditions such as the metabolic syndrome or a rare adrenal growth called a pheochromocytoma also may cause a hormone imbalance that leads to hypertension. These conditions also can be treated successfully.

Lipid Disorders
Patients with lipid disorders have trouble maintaining normal levels of body fats. One of the most common lipid disorders is hyperlipidemia - high levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (known as "bad" cholesterol), and/or triglycerides in the blood. High levels of these fats are linked to heart (coronary) disease, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease (problems with circulation in the legs). Endocrinologists are trained to detect factors that may be related to lipid disorders, such as hypothyroidism (a hormone imbalance caused by thyroid conditions), drug use (such as steroids), or genetic or metabolic conditions. Lipid disorders can be found in several conditions that require special management, including the metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and obesity. Special diets, exercise, and medications may be prescribed to manage hyperlipidemia and other lipid disorders.

Common endocrine diseases and disorder information was obtained from The Hormone Foundation.

Please visit our Links & Resources web page for extensive links and in-depth downloadable PDFs.

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OSTEOPOROSIS
PREVENTION

Screening for osteoporosis is an important first step to bone health.

DIABETES RESEARCH

Find out about diabetes clinical trials in the Rogue Valley.