Diseases, Disorders, Procedures, Diagnostics, and Medical Specialists

Acromegaly

too much GH after growth plates close (usually pituitary tumor)

Acromegaly key signs/symptoms

enlarges hands/feet/face, joint pain, headaches

Acromegaly care/management

treat tumor, control GH levels

Addison’s disease

adrenal cortex doesn’t make enough cortisol/aldosterone

Addison’s disease key signs/symptoms

fatigue, weight loss, low BP, salt craving, hyperpigmentation

Addison’s disease care/management

lifelong steroid replacement

Cushing’s syndrome

too much cortisol (0ften from meds or pituitary/adrenal tumor)

Cushing’s syndrome key signs/symptoms

truncal obesity, “moon face,” thin skin/bruising high glucose

Cushing’s syndrome care/management

lower steroid dose or treat tumor

Gigantism

too much GH before growth plates close (pituitary tumor)

Gigantism key signs/symptoms

excessive height and growth in children

Gigantism care/management

treat tumor; control GH levels

Hirsutism

excess androgens in females (often PCOS; meds/tumors possible)

Hirsutism key signs/symptoms

excess facial/body hair, acne, irregular periods

Hirsutism care/management

treat cause; hair removal; meds to reduce androgens

Hyperthyroidism

too much thyroid hormone (often Graves disease)

Hyperthyroidism key signs/symptoms

weight loss, heat intolerance, rapid/irregular heartbeat, anxiety

Hyperthyroidism care/management

antithyroid meds, RAI, or surgery

Hypothyroidism

too little thyroid hormone (often Hashimoto’s)

Hypothyroidism key signs/symptoms

fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, slow HR

Hypothyroidism care/management

levothyroxine replacement

Graves’ disease

autoimmune hyperthyroidism

Graves’ disease key signs/symptoms

goiter, eye findings (exophthalmos), heat intolerance

Graves’ disease care/management

antithyroid therapy, eye care if needed

Diabetes insipidus

low ADH or kidneys don’t respond to ADH

Diabetes insipidus key signs/symptoms

extreme thirst, large volumes of dilute urine

Diabetes insipidus care/management

Desmopressin (central DI), treat cause

Diabetes mellitus-Type 1

Autoimmune destruction of B-cells, no insulin

Diabetes mellitus-Type 1 key signs/symptoms

Polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, high glucose

Diabetes mellitus-Type 1 care/management

Insulin therapy, glucose monitoring

Diabetes mellitus-Type 2

insulin resistance + low insulin over time

Diabetes mellitus-Type 2 signs/symptoms

often overweight, high glucose, fatigue

Diabetes mellitus-Type 2 care/management

lifestyle changes, oral meds, insulin if needed

Diabetes mellitus-Gestational

glucose intolerance during pregnanacy

Diabetes mellitus-Gestational signs/symptoms

high maternal glucose, fetal risks

Diabetes mellitus-Gestational care/management

diet, monitoring, meds if needed

Blood serum testing

TSH, T3, T4, insulin, glucose, etc.

Thyroid scan

radioactive iodine to view structure/function

Radioactive iodine uptake test

evaluates thyroid activity

Hormone level monitoring

cortisol, ACTH, growth hormone

Surgical Procedures

thyroidectomy, adrenalectomy, parathyroidectomy

Endocrinologist

diagnoses and treats hormone disorders

Thyroid specialist

focused on thyroid disease

Diabetes specialist

manages diabetes care