endocrine med term book pt.2

hypersecretion

abnormally increased secretion

hyposecretion

abnormally decreased secretion

ketosis

presence of an abnormal amount of ketone bodies (acetone, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, and acetoacetic acid) in the blood and urine indicating an abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates, such as in uncontrolled diabetes and starvation (keto = alter); also called ketoacidosis and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

presence of an abnormal amount of ketone bodies (acetone, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, and acetoacetic acid) in the blood and urine indicating an abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates, such as in uncontrolled diabetes and starvation (keto = alter); also called ketosis and ketoacidosis

metabolism

all chemical processes in the body that result in growth, generation of energy, elimination of waste, and other body functions

polydipsia

excessive thirst

polyuria

excessive urination

Cushing syndrome

a collection of signs and symptoms caused by an excessive level of cortisol hormone; may be due to excessive production by the adrenal gland

adrenal virilism

excessive output of the adrenal secretion of androgens (male sex hormones) in adult women caused by a tumor or hyperplasia (tissue enlargement); evidenced by amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), acne, hirsutism, and deepening of the voice (virilis = masculine)

diabetes mellitus (DM)

metabolic disorder caused by the absence of or insufficient production of insulin secreted by the pancreas, resulting in hyperglycemia and glucosuria (diabetes = passing through; mellitus = sugar)

type 1 diabetes mellitus

diabetes in which no beta-cell production of insulin occurs and the patient is dependent on insulin for survival; once known as juvenile diabetes

type 2 diabetes mellitus

diabetes caused by either a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently; patients may not require insulin replacement therapy to control the disorder if blood glucose level is controlled by diet and exercise

hyperinsulinism

a condition resulting from an excessive amount of insulin in the blood that draws glucose out of the bloodstream, resulting in hypoglycemia, fainting, and convulsions; often caused by an overdose of insulin or by a tumor of the pancreas

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

hyperparathyroidism

hypersecretion of the parathyroid glands, usually caused by a tumor

hypoparathyroidism

hyposecretion of the parathyroid glands

acromegaly

disease characterized by enlarged features, especially of the face and hands, caused by hypersecretion of the pituitary growth hormone after puberty, when normal bone growth has stopped; most often caused by a pituitary tumor

gigantism

a condition of hypersecretion of growth hormone during childhood bone development that leads to an abnormal overgrowth of bone, especially of the long bones; most often caused by a pituitary tumor; also called giantism

goiter

enlargement of the thyroid caused by thyroid dysfunction, tumor, lack of iodine in the diet, or inflammation (goiter = throat)

hyperthyroidism

a condition of hypersecretion of thyroid hormone characterized by nervousness, weight loss, rapid pulse, protrusion of the eyeball (exophthalmos), and goiter.

Graves disease

the most common form of hyperthyroidism; caused by an autoimmune defect that creates antibodies that stimulate the overproduction of thyroid hormones; exophthalmos is a featured characteristic

hypothyroidism

a condition of hyposecretion of thyroid hormone resulting in sluggishness, slow pulse, and, often, obesity.

myxedema

advanced hypothyroidism in adults characterized by sluggishness, slow pulse, puffiness in the hands and face, and dry skin (myx = mucus)

infantile hypothyroidism

condition of congenital hypothyroidism in children that results in a developmental disability and short physical stature; the thyroid is either congenitally absent or imperfectly developed

blood sugar (BS)

measurement of the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood; also called blood glucose

fasting blood sugar (FBS)

measurement of blood sugar (glucose) level after fasting (not eating) for 12 hours

postprandial blood sugar (PPBS)

measurement of blood sugar (glucose) level after a meal (commonly 2 hours later)

glucose tolerance test (GTT)

measurement of the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates by administering a prescribed amount of glucose after a fasting period, then measuring blood and urine for glucose levels every hour thereafter for 4 to 6 hours

glycohemoglobin (HbAlc)

a molecule (fraction) in hemoglobin, the level of which rises in the blood as a result of an increased level of blood sugar (glucose); a common blood test used in diagnosing and treating diabetes; also called glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)

electrolyte panel

measurement of the level of specific ions (sodium, potassium, and chloride) along with carbon dioxide (CO2) (for indirect measure of bicarbonate ion) in the blood; electrolytes are essential for maintaining water balance (hydration) as well as nerve, muscle, and heart activity

thyroid function study

measurement of thyroid hormone levels in blood plasma to determine the efficiency of glandular secretions, including T3, T4, and TSH

urine sugar and ketone studies

chemical tests to determine the presence of sugar (glucose) or ketone bodies in urine; used as a screen for diabetes.

computed tomography (CT)

CT of the head is used to obtain a transverse (horizontal) view of the pituitary gland

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

nonionizing images of magnetic resonance are useful in identifying abnormalities of the pituitary gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, and thyroid

sonography

sonographic images are used to identify endocrine pathology, such as with thyroid ultrasound

thyroid uptake and image

radionuclide (nuclear medicine) scan of the thyroid to visualize the radioactive accumulation of previously injected isotopes to detect thyroid nodules or tumors

adrenalectomy

removal of one or both adrenal glands

hypophysectomy

removal of the pituitary gland

pancreatectomy

removal of the pancreas

parathyroidectomy

removal of the parathyroid glands

thymectomy

removal of the thymus

thyroidectomy

removal of the thyroid

continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII)

use of an insulin delivery device that is worn on the body (usually the abdomen) and subcutaneously infuses doses of insulin programmed according to the individual needs of the diabetic patient; also called insulin pump therapy

radioiodine therapy

use of radioactive iodine to treat disease, such as to eradicate thyroid tumor cells; treatment is administered in a nuclear medicine facility

antidiabetic drug

any of several agents used to control blood glucose levels in treatment of diabetes mellitus

antithyroid drug

an agent that blocks the production of thyroid hormones; used to treat hyperthyroidism

hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

treatment with a hormone to correct a hormonal deficiency (e.g., estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid)

hypoglycemic

a drug that lowers the blood glucose level (e.g., insulin); also called antihyperglycemic