The Endocrine System - Glands and Hormones

Chemical Messengers Regulating Growth, Metabolism, and Reproduction

Aug 10, 2009 Linda Mundorff

The endocrine system and the central nervous system provide homeostasis to the body by controlling, coordinating, and regulating all of the other body systems.

A hormonal problem could potentially impact both the endocrine system and the CNS. This arises because the pituitary gland, located in the brain, regulates all the other glands in the endocrine system.

For example, the ovaries, an endocrine gland, produce the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Moreover, they do not begin to produce and secrete these hormones until triggered by the pituitary gland in the brain.

Endocrine Glands:

• Pituitary
• Pineal
• Thymus
• Thyroid
• Parathyroid
• Pancreas
• Adrenals
• Ovaries
• Testes

Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers that either trigger or regulate specific target organs. For example, during puberty the pituitary gland will trigger the ovaries in girls and the testes in boys to begin producing and secreting female and male sex hormones, respectively.

Hormones fall into two categories: Amino acid compounds and steroids. Most hormones are composed of protein molecules and would be categorized under amino acid compounds. Steroid hormones are produced by the adrenal glands and the sex glands (ovaries and testes).

Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is located in the hypothalamus in the brain. It is an extremely important gland in that it monitors and regulates all the other glands in the endocrine system. If there is a problem with an endocrine gland, the physician will have to determine if the problem is with the pituitary gland or the target organ of the endocrine gland.

For example, young girls today should start puberty at approximately age 11, if a girl has reached the age of 13 or 14 and has not yet begun puberty, an assessment of both the pituitary gland and the ovaries will need to be done to determine which organ is malfunctioning.

Endocrine Disorders

Disorders of the endocrine system are related to imbalances in hormone secretions (the gland is either underactive or overactive) or no output at all.

Some of the effects of hyposecretion (underactive) of the hormone:

• Growth hormone results in dwarfism
• Aldosterone results in Addison disease
• Thyroid hormone results in cretinism in children and myxedema in adults
• Insulin results in diabetes

Some of the effects of hypersecretion (overactive) of the hormone:

• Growth hormone results in acromegaly
• Cortisol results in Cushing syndrome
• Thyroid hormone results in Graves' disease
• Insulin results in hypoglycemia

Diagnosis

Early intervention and proper diagnosis is critical in preventing often-irreversible damage. Unfortunately, many of the disorders mimic other conditions and proper diagnosis becomes delayed.

Also important to note is that the only way to diagnose the activity level of a gland is by a blood test to determine how much hormone is being secreted. If the result were, below the normal range than the diagnosis would be an underactive gland.

Hypothyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism is often characterized by weight gain, dry skin, sluggish metabolism, and depression. Conversely, hyperthyroidism is often characterized by weight loss, rapid metabolism, rapid pulse, tremors, intense nervousness, and hyperactivity.

If one did not know that weight gain and depression were related to hypothyroidism they might deduce an emotional problem, perhaps a chemical imbalance in the brain resulting in a prescription for an antidepressant.

The symptoms for hyperthyroidism easily mimic those of bipolar disorder, panic or anxiety issues, or drug abuse.

Hypothyroidism vs. Hashimoto's Disease

The problem becomes worse when two conditions have the same symptoms but different causes and different treatments. As previously noted, hypothyroidism is a result of an underactive thyroid gland and normally this is treated by prescription medicine, Synthroid for example.

Hashimoto's disease also presents with symptoms identical to those of hypothyroidism. The critical difference is that Hashimoto is actually an inflammatory condition that is causing the low hormone output.

In many cases of Hashimoto, the problem is related to an autoimmune condition and therefore treatment may become chronic with both anti-inflammatory and thyroid medications.

In conclusion, the endocrine system is an important player in the regulation of all activities of the body. This is a very tall order that is assisted by the central nervous system. Disorders of the endocrine system are always related to either underactivity, overactivity, or no activity. Finding the actual cause of the problem will expedite not only the treatment of the disorder but might actually resolve the problem with little to no residual problems.

The copyright of the article The Endocrine System - Glands and Hormones in General Medicine is owned by Linda Mundorff. Permission to republish The Endocrine System - Glands and Hormones in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Organs of the Endocrine System

What do you think about this article?

---

NOTE: Because you are not a Suite101 member, your comment will be moderated before it is viewable.

post your comment

What is 2+8?

Comments

Jan 30, 2010 1:22 AM

Guest :

very best

1 Comment: