Endocrinology

Acromegaly

Chronic condition developing in adults with excessive growth hormone (GH); results in elongation and enlargement of bones of head and extremities

Addison disease

Results from hyposecretion of adrenocortical hormones (ACTH); symptoms may include increased skin pigmentation, generalized weakness, and weight loss

Adrenal feminization

Development of female secondary sexual characteristics in male as a result of increased estrogen secretion by adrenal cortex

Adrenal Virilism

Development of male secondary sexual characteristics (such as deeper voice and facial hair) in female as a result of increased androgen secretion by adrenal cortex

Congenital hypothyroidism

Condition present at birth that results in lack of thyroid hormones; results in poor physical and mental development

Cushing syndrome

Condition resulting from hypersecretion of adrenal cortex; can be product of adrenal gland tumor; symptoms include weakness, edema, excess hair growth, skin discoloration, and osteoporosis

Diabetes insipidus

Condition caused by insufficient antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secreted by posterior lobe of the pituitary gland; symptoms include polyuria and polydipsia

Diabetes mellitus

Chronic disorder of sugar metabolism; symptoms include hyperglycemia and glycosuria; there are two different forms

Dwarfism

Being excessively short in height; can result from lack of growth hormone

Exophthalmos

Condition in which eyeballs protrude, such as in Graves disease; commonly caused by hypersecretion of thyroid hormones

gigantism

Excessive growth of body due to hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) in a child or teenager

Goiter

Enlargement of the thyroid gland not caused by cancerous tumor; most common cause is diet poor in iodine which is essential for production of thyroid hormones; thyroid gland increases its size in an attempt to produce more thyroid hormones even though it is unable to do so

Graves disease

Condition resulting from hypersecretion of thyroid hormones; symptoms include exophthalmos and goiter

Hashimoto thyroiditis

Chronic autoimmune condition that gradually destroys the thyroid gland; results in hyposecretion of thyroid hormones

Ketoacidosis

Accumulation of acidic ketone bodies (a waste product); serious condition requiring immediate treatment as it may result in death for diabetic patient if not reversed;

Myxedema

Condition resulting from hyposecretion of thyroid hormones in adult; symptoms include anemia, slow speech, swollen facial features, puffy and dry skin, drowsiness, and mental sluggishness

Pheochromocytoma

Usually benign tumor of adrenal medulla; secretes excessive amount of epinephrine; symptoms include anxiety, heart palpitations, dyspnea, hypertension, profuse sweating, headache, and nausea

Tetany

Nerve irritability and painful muscle cramps resulting from hypocalcemia; hypoparathyroidism is one cause

Thyrotoxicosis

Condition resulting from extreme hypersecretion of thyroid hormones; symptoms include rapid heart action, tremors, enlarged thyroid gland, exophthalmos, and weight loss

Blood serum test

Measures level of substances such as hormones in bloodstream; used to study function of endocrine glands

Fasted blood sugar

Blood test measures amount of sugar in bloodstream after 12-hour fast

Glucose tolerance test

Used for initial diagnosis of diabetes mellitus; patient is given dose of glucose; then blood samples taken at regular intervals determine patient’s ability to use glucose properly

Hemoglobin A1c test

Estimates average amount of glucose in bloodstream over past three months; when blood glucose levels are continuously high, excess glucose attaches to hemoglobin molecule in red blood cells; helps to detect and monitor diabetes mellitus

Radioactive iodine uptake

Test of thyroid function measuring how much radioactively tagged iodine is removed from bloodstream by thyroid gland by measuring how radioactive the thyroid gland becomes after patient is given dose of radioactive iodine; often performed with thyroid scan; also called thyroid uptake

Radioimmunoassay

Test measures levels of hormones in plasma of blood

Thyroid function test

Measures levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in bloodstream to evaluate thyroid function

Thyroid scan

Imaging procedure in which radioactive iodine is administered and localizes in the thyroid gland; size, shape, and location of gland is visualized with scanning device; able to detect thyroid gland tumors; often done with radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test

Corticosteroids

In addition to their normal function, these hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex also have strong anti-inflammatory action; can be used to treat severe chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

Hormone replacement therapy

Artificial replacement of hormones in patients with hyposecretion disorders