Endocrine system - Part II

Thyroid gland

Main metabolism regulator; Secretes calcitonin which regulates normal blood levels of calcium and phosphate; secretes triiodothyronine which increases metabolism rate, and thyroxine increases metabolism after being converted to T3

Parathyroid gland

Regulates calcium; secretes parathyroid hormone which increases calcium

Pituitary Gland

Master gland that regulates body functions to maintain homeostasis and stimulates glands to secrete specific hormones

Anterior Pituitary gland

Secretes hormones; growth hormone or somatotropin for bone growth; thyroid for metabolism; adrenocorticotropic hormone for adrenals to produce cortisol; gonadotropic hormones to promote growth; prolactin for milk

Posterior pituitary

Stores and releases hormones synthesized into the hypothalamus such as oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH), which are involved in various bodily functions including water retention and childbirth.

Pancreas

Regulates blood glucose levelsby secreting insulin and glucagon to maintain energy balance.

Pineal Gland

Responsible for secreting melatonin that regulates day/night cycles

Thymus gland

Related to the immunity within childrenby producing thymosin, which stimulates the development of an immune response in infants

Ovaries

Produces estrogen that stimulates the production of eggs and progesterone that maintains the uterus during pregnancy

Testes

Produces testosterone and sperm

Adrenal Gland

Located on top of each kidney, the adrenal glands produce hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and aldosterone that regulate metabolism, stress response, and blood pressure.

Adrenal cortex

Responsible for balancing electrolytes, regulating glucose, and sex hormones

Adrenal medulla

Responsible for producing epinephrine and norepinephrine (fight or flight response)

Hypothyroidism

Decreased thyroid hormone production.

S/S: apathy, depression, lethargy, skin gets thick and scaly, fatigue and mixedema in late hypothyroidism

Tests: blood tests

Causes: Iatrogenic (cancer, thyroidectomy), hashimito where thyroid is on overdrive

Treatment: Thyroid hormone pill

Hyperthyroidism

Increased thyroid hormone production causing symptoms like high temperature, weight loss, tachycardia, amenorrhea, diarrhea, and exophthalmos (eyeballs protrude out)

Tests: thyroid scan

Causes: Hasmito, viral infection and idiopathic

Treatment: Difficult to treat

Complications: thyroid storm, high blood pressure, tachycardia, arrhythmia

Hyperparathyroidism

Excessive amount of parathyroid hormone

Causes: low calcium, overwork of parathyroid gland

S/S: muscle cramps, aches, polyuria, osteoporosis

Test: scan to test which parathyroid gland and remove it

Tx: treat cause and remove gland

Problems within anterior pituitary gland

Growth hormone imbalance leading to conditions like gigantism or dwarfism

Problems within the posterior pituitary gland

Disorders such as diabetes insipidus or inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, affecting water balance and resulting in excessive urination or fluid retention.

Diabetes

Increase or decrease in insulin in the body