List of major diseases of the endocrine system: causes, signs, symptoms. What tests are taken for diseases of the endocrine system? Common disorders of the endocrine system Endocrine diseases in women symptoms

Disruptions in the endocrine system are no less dangerous than, for example, disruption of the cardiovascular or digestive system, because they can lead to such serious consequences as the development of diabetes, visual impairment ... The therapist tells readers of the site how identify the first signs of hormonal disorders.

All diseases have different roles. One disease comes at once, with all its might, throwing a daring challenge to the body: who wins?!

The other sneaks up imperceptibly and systematically torments: it “bites”, then it releases, gradually making our existence unbearable.

And the third walks with us hand in hand all our lives, influencing the character, worldview and quality of life on a par with genes and external factors.

Hiding under different masks, diseases often become elusive. It is especially difficult to recognize an endocrine disease (when the normal production of hormones is disturbed in the body).

Often, people with such disorders before getting to the “address” are examined by a variety of specialists, and, disappointed in traditional medicine, self-medicate in vain.

Such patients come to an endocrinologist already when the disease has reached its climax or has changed its face so much as a result of numerous health experiments that it is extremely difficult to diagnose and treat it.

Hormonal balance

Hormonal disorders do not always have specific symptoms. Often their manifestations are similar to a variety of ailments, and sometimes they are perceived only as cosmetic defects.

Therefore, you need to know the warning signs, when they appear, you must immediately seek qualified help.

It is better to exclude a dangerous pathology in a timely manner than to pay with health for your self-confidence and negligence later.

What is the endocrine system?

In the body, there are many organs and individual cell clusters that can produce hormones and participate in the endocrine regulation of vital functions.

The most important are the pituitary and hypothalamus. These glands are located in the brain and, according to their position, control all other organs of the endocrine system: thyroid and parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, gonads and pancreas.

Lesions of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland rarely present with isolated, specific symptoms. Usually, the function of the endocrine glands subject to them also suffers.

What to do?

Possible signs of hormonal imbalance

Hormonal balance

1. Losing weight on the background of increased appetite. Under the advertising slogan “Eat means losing weight!”, Perhaps, a person with an increased function of the thyroid gland is hiding.

In addition to weight loss, usually worries unreasonable and prolonged increase in body temperature up to 37-37.5 ° C, interruptions in the work of the heart, excessive sweating, tremor (trembling) of the fingers, sudden mood swings, nervousness, sleep is disturbed.

With the progression of the disease, sexual function is impaired.

Often, a constantly surprised look - bulging eyes attracts attention. When the eyes are wide open, they shine and seem to stick out: between the iris and the eyelids, a strip of white sclera remains above and below.

2. Obesity can be not only a problem of malnutrition and physical inactivity. Obesity accompanies many endocrinological disorders.

If adipose tissue is deposited evenly throughout the body, appetite is either not changed or slightly reduced, worries dry skin, weakness, lethargy, constant drowsiness, hair loss and brittleness, This suggests a decrease in thyroid function.

Such people have chilliness, decrease in body temperature and blood pressure, hoarseness of voice, periodic constipation.

Hormonal balance

5. A change in appearance is an early sign of acromegaly. Facial features become rough: superciliary arches, cheekbones, lower jaw increase.

The lips "grow", the tongue becomes so large that the bite is disturbed.

This condition develops in adults with excessive formation of growth hormone - somatotropin, which is produced in the hypothalamus.

going on rapid growth of hands and feet. A person is forced to change shoes very often.

Worried about complaints numbness in the limbs, joint pain, hoarseness of the voice, sexual dysfunction. The skin becomes thick, oily, there is increased hair growth.

6. visual impairment can also be a consequence of the pathology of the endocrine system. Rapid and persistent visual impairment, accompanied by persistent headaches, is a reason to suspect a pituitary tumor.

In this case, a characteristic feature is the loss of temporal fields of vision, and other signs of hormonal regulation disorders mentioned above often develop.

7. Skin itching should be a reason for checking blood sugar levels and may be an early sign diabetes mellitus.

In this case, itching often occurs in the perineum (which makes you turn to a gynecologist or dermatovenereologist).

Appears thirst, dry mouth, increased amount of urine and frequent urination.

Furunculosis is a common disease wounds and scratches heal very slowly, weakness and fatigue gradually develop.

Weight can fluctuate both in the direction of obesity and in the direction of weight loss, depending on the form of the disease and the constitution of the person.

Without special therapy, endocrine diseases gradually progress, and, without causing much concern in the initial stages, they manifest themselves in the future with a heavy echo.

You can close your eyes to sweating, weight changes, excessive hair growth for a long time, but what to do when these disorders develop into infertility or turn into severe heart failure, stroke or heart attack, an inoperable tumor?

And how many cases of diabetes mellitus are diagnosed only when a patient is admitted to a hospital in a state of coma?!

But quite a bit of vigilance, attention to one's own health is enough to prevent all these consequences.

Modern diagnostics of hormonal disorders includes a wide range of examinations. Sometimes it is enough for a doctor to look at a patient to make a diagnosis.

In some cases, it is necessary to carry out a lot of laboratory and instrumental studies, including determination of the level of hormones and their metabolites in the blood, functional stress tests, x-ray and ultrasound diagnostics, computed tomography.

Many of the endocrine diseases with timely treatment can be completely cured, while others require constant hormone replacement therapy, while others have indications for surgical treatment.

Take care of your health and those of your loved ones. In most cases, with early diagnosis and properly selected treatment, many endocrine diseases can be controlled or completely cured.

Be healthy!

Natalia DOLGOPOLOVA,
general practitioner

The human endocrine system consists of endocrine glands, those that do not have excretory ducts and secrete hormones into the body. Hormones ensure the normal functioning of cells and tissues, thus, performing the function of regulating the normal functioning of the body. The science of "endocrinology" is engaged in the study of diseases of the endocrine system, separated into a separate branch due to the high percentage of pathology.

Among the functions of the system of endocrine glands are the following:

  • control of adequate functioning of organs and systems, growth and development of the body;
  • participation in the chemical reactions of the body;
  • stabilization of vital processes;
  • ensuring the normal functioning of the reproductive system in accordance with gender (sex) characteristics;
  • responsibility for human emotions.

Glands, hormones and their brief characteristics

Gland Localization Produced hormones Functions Pathologies in violation of functions
Thyroid. Anterior surface of the neck. Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine, Calcitonin regulation of growth and development of the body, storage of iodine, stimulation of T-cells. T cells Hashimoto goiter, diffuse toxic goiter, dementia
parathyroid glands On the posterior surface of the thyroid gland Parathormone control of the amount of calcium necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous system Parathyroid osteodystrophy, Hyperparathyroidism
Thymus gland (thymus) Upper chest, behind the sternum Thymopoietins control the activity of the immune system;

participation in the regulation of immunity.

Predominantly autoimmune diseases
Pancreas Behind the stomach, at the level of the first and second lumbar vertebrae Insulin

Glucagon

decrease in blood glucose levels;

increase in blood glucose levels.

Regulation of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism

diabetes mellitus, insulinoma
adrenal glands Upper poles of the kidneys Adrenaline and norepinephrine Providing emotional responses, controlling the work of the heart, increasing blood sugar levels, increasing blood pressure Hyperaldosteronism, Pheochromocytoma; Addison's disease; Diseases of the cardiovascular system (hypertension, myocardial infarction)
testicles Scrotum Testosterone stimulation of formation and ensuring the viability of spermatozoa, development of the body according to the male type, support for sexual desire Hypergonadism, hypogonadism
ovaries Abdomen Estradiol, progesterone, relaxin Control of the menstrual cycle and childbirth; the development of secondary sexual characteristics, the formation of the body according to the female type. Lowering blood cholesterol levels amenorrhea, infertility
Pituitary base of the brain Thyrotropic (TSH),

Adrenocorticotropic (ACTH),

Follicle-stimulating (FSH),

Luteinizing (LH),

Somatotropic (STG),

luteotropic (prolactin),

asparotocin,

Vasopressin, (antidiuretic, ADH),

Vasotocin,

Valitocin,

Glumitocin,

isotocin,

mesotocin,

Oxytocin.

Action on all endocrine glands, development and functioning of the mammary glands, regulation of melanin metabolism, stimulation of the growth of ovarian follicles Dwarfism, gigantism, acromegaly, diabetes insipidus, hyperprolactinemia and other diseases caused by malfunction of the endocrine glands
epiphysis Brain Melatonin

Serotonin

Adrenoglomerulotropin.

Retardation of growth hormones, Suppression of puberty to a certain age, Control of sleep and wakefulness Insomnia, Depression, Hypertension, Obesity, Type 2 diabetes

Signs of endocrine disorders in women

The symptoms of diseases are striking in their diversity, which is not surprising, given the number of functions.

But among them there are those that a person needs to pay attention to and immediately consult a doctor.

It is possible to suspect the pathology of the pituitary gland with pronounced changes in growth. In case of violations of the synthesis of somatotropic hormone, the height of a woman will not exceed 120 cm. The first signs are observed around the age of 3 years. Accompanying signs: protruding bones of the facial skull (forehead) in combination with a small face, underdevelopment of the genital organs, later menstrual irregularities join.

Dry mouth, constant thirst, frequent urination. Diabetes is the most common cause of these symptoms. The course of the disease in women is somewhat different from that in men. There is weight gain or loss (depending on the type of diabetes) for no apparent reason, the presence of a fungal infection,

With acromegaly, enlargement of the protruding parts of the face is noted first of all, the feet and hands increase in size.

When the endocrine system fails in women, menstrual irregularities are common, it is accompanied by increased sweating, brittle hair and nails, changes in the emotional state.

Increased testosterone synthesis. In the female body, the ovaries are responsible for this hormone. In the case of an increased amount of "male hormone" in women, increased hair growth is noted throughout the body, the hair becomes stiff, darkens. The voice also changes, it becomes somewhat rougher. If you do not seek timely medical help, then in the future there will be a failure of the menstrual cycle or its termination. As a result, the development of Cushing's syndrome or the formation of ovarian tumors is likely.

Who to contact?

If certain general symptoms appear (increased blood pressure, weakness, irritability, numbness of the arms and legs), you need to contact a therapist who will prescribe an examination and refer you to a specialist.

If several symptoms appear that allow you to suspect an endocrine pathology, you should contact an endocrinologist. Timely treatment contributes to the early diagnosis of the disease and the appointment of adequate treatment.

There is the concept of "clinical minimum", these are tests that are prescribed for primary patients. It includes: a clinical blood test, a general urinalysis, a coprogram, an analysis for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis.

If violations of these indicators are identified, additional tests are prescribed. In particular, if a violation of the functions of the endocrine glands is suspected, a hormonal study is performed. This includes:

  • determination of the initial level of a particular hormone;
  • changes in the hormonal background during functional tests or in dynamics (taking into account the human biorhythm);
  • magnetic resonance or computed tomography;
  • Ultrasound (for diseases of the pituitary gland, epiphysis, pancreas);
  • biopsy (thyroid disease).

And after the diagnosis is verified, treatment is prescribed.

How to treat?

Exclusively under the control of a specialist who prescribes a regimen for taking drugs, based on many factors - gender, age, research data, the severity of dysfunction, the presence of concomitant diseases.

As a rule, hormones are prescribed and self-medication in this case can lead to an absolutely undesirable effect.

Diseases of the endocrine system

The endocrine system consists of several glands located in different parts of the body. The secretion products of these glands enter the bloodstream directly and affect various important functions of the body. Hormones produced by the endocrine glands act as chemical "messengers" of the body. The delicate balance of these hormones can be disturbed by any stress, infection, and some other factors…

The endocrine system plays a key role in important bodily functions such as digestion, reproduction, and homeostasis (keeping the body in optimal condition). The main glands of the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal, and gonads. Endocrine secretion contributes to the normal functioning of the immune and nervous systems in some situations. The endocrine glands produce key hormones that enter the blood stream directly and are then carried throughout the body.

# Hypothalamus - the center of the endocrine and nervous systems. It regulates the functioning of the pituitary gland.

# Pituitary R Regulates the secretion of all other glands of the endocrine system. The pituitary gland produces important hormones such as growth hormone, prolactin, corticotropin, endorphin, and thyrotropin.

# Hormones thyroid gland necessary for the development of the brain and nervous system in children.

Diseases of the endocrine system develop due to either excessive or excessive production of hormones. These diseases can lead to growth disorders, osteoporosis, diabetes, high cholesterol and triglycerol levels in the blood, as well as disruption of the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Diseases of the endocrine system include: hyperthyroidism, hypercalcemia, growth hormone deficiency, Addison's disease, Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome and hypothyroidism (endemic goiter). Triggers for endocrine diseases are tumors, steroid use, or autoimmune disorders. Symptoms of such diseases: weight change, mood swings, fatigue, constant thirst or urge to urinate. Diseases of the endocrine system are caused by dysfunction of the endocrine glands. In some cases, one gland produces too many hormones while others produce insufficient amounts of hormones. Uneven secretion of the endocrine glands (hypofunction) can be caused by neoplasms, disease or injury. Excessive activity of the gland (hyperfunction) is usually caused by tumors of the glands or autoimmune reactions of the body. For the treatment of endocrine diseases (in case of insufficient activity of the gland), hormone replacement therapy is used. With excessive activity of the glands, pathological tissues are removed.

growth hormone deficiency - if the child suffers from growth hormone deficiency, he has a childish face and a slender physique. This slows down the rate of growth. Growth hormone deficiency can be complete or partial. This endocrine disease can be diagnosed based on blood tests, which measure hormone levels, and x-rays of the hands and wrists, which help determine bone growth. Growth hormone injections are used to treat growth hormone deficiency. As a rule, treatment continues for several years until an acceptable result is achieved.

hypopituitarism (hypofunction of the pituitary gland) - this disease of the endocrine system is sometimes congenital due to the pathology of the formation of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. Hypopituitarism can be caused by a brain tumor or infection of the brain and surrounding tissues.

hypercalcemia This endocrine disease is caused by an increase in the level of calcium in the blood. Calcium levels are maintained by vitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Symptoms of hypercalcemia: bone pain, nausea, kidney stone formation and hypertension. Also, spinal curvature is not ruled out. Other symptoms include irritability, muscle atrophy, and loss of appetite.

Addison's disease - This endocrine disease is caused by insufficient production of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands. Symptoms of Addison's disease: sudden weight loss, loss of appetite and fatigue. One of the important complications of this endocrine disease is hyperpigmentation, darkening of the skin color in some areas of the body. Cortisol deficiency can lead to irritability and cravings for salty foods.

Itsenko-Cushing syndrome This endocrine disease is caused by excess production of cortisol. The most common symptoms of this syndrome are upper body obesity, fatigue, muscle weakness, and increased bone fragility. Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome is the opposite of Addison's disease.

Acromegaly This endocrine disease is caused by excess secretion of growth hormone. Acromegaly is difficult to recognize and diagnose because it progresses very slowly in middle-aged people. Its main symptoms: abnormal growth of the palms and feet. This growth pathology can also be seen in the facial features, in particular, in the line of the chin, nose and forehead. In patients with acromegaly, the liver, spleen and kidneys are enlarged. Common complications of this disease include diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

Goiter Hashimoto (chronic lymphomatous thyroiditis) is a type of chronic thyroiditis caused by an immune system response to thyroid activity. This is a hereditary disease, the symptoms of which are slight weight gain, resistance to cold, dry skin and hair loss. In women, chronic lymphomatous thyroiditis manifests itself in heavy and irregular menstruation.

Hypoparathyroidism This parathyroid dysfunction syndrome is caused by insufficient levels of calcium in the blood. Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism: tingling in the hands and muscle spasms. It usually takes years for the disease to show up.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the endocrine system, which is characterized by an insufficient level of the pancreatic hormone insulin in the body and disorders of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism that develop against this background. Violation of carbohydrate metabolism entails a significant increase in blood sugar. The main danger of diabetes mellitus lies in the fact that a change in metabolism leads to disturbances in the hormonal system, in the water-salt balance, etc. With the progression of the disease, serious complications are possible in various organs and systems of the human body.

Distinguish true and symptomatic diabetes. Symptomatic diabetes is a concomitant disease with existing lesions of the endocrine glands. In the course of treatment of the underlying disease, manifestations and symptomatic diabetes mellitus practically disappear. True diabetes is divided into insulin-dependent or type I and non-insulin dependent or type II.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is caused by damage to the beta cells of the pancreatic islets that produce insulin, which leads to an acute lack of insulin in patients. If a diabetic patient does not receive the required amount of insulin, then this causes hyperglycemia, and also leads to the development of diabetic ketoacidosis. Quite often, the insulin-dependent form of diabetes mellitus has a hereditary predisposition, and in this case it acts as an autoimmune disease. In some cases, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is detected after suffering some viral diseases, which result in the destruction of beta cells that produce insulin. Basically, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus develops in young people under 25 years old, so it is also called "juvenile".

In non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, the work of beta-cells is preserved and an almost sufficient amount of insulin is produced, but the problem is tissue insensitivity to it. Quite often, type II diabetes mellitus is combined with obesity, and it is adipose tissue that blocks the action of insulin. Working in an enhanced mode, beta cells are gradually depleted and insulin deficiency develops in the body. Type II diabetes does not become insulin dependent.

Changes in carbohydrate metabolism lead to an increase in blood sugar and its active excretion in the urine, which leads to tissue dehydration. A diabetic patient is constantly thirsty and consumes large amounts of liquid. With an increase in the amount of fluid consumed, the amount of urine with which sugar is excreted also increases. The patient begins to experience general weakness, his working capacity and the body's resistance to infections decrease.

To prevent serious complications, blood sugar levels are lowered. In insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, patients are prescribed daily insulin injections, and in non-insulin dependent diabetes, sugar-lowering drugs are prescribed. It also prescribes the strictest adherence to a diet that helps to significantly reduce sugar levels, normalize well-being and prevent the development of various complications in the future. With strict observance of all the doctor's prescriptions, the disease can be controlled, as well as maintain normal working capacity and a full standard of living. In addition to dieting, regular exercise is recommended, which also helps to reduce sugar levels, due to the active oxidation of glucose in muscle tissue.

Treatment of diabetes mellitus of any type should be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor, which will allow you to develop both an individual program of physical activity and calculate the required daily calorie intake.

Endocrine diseases are many and varied, and their course and symptoms are often unpredictable. We will talk about how to determine the disease of the endocrine organs and their specifics in this article.

Endocrine system performs the most important function - regulates the work of internal organs through the production of special substances - hormones.

Often in the operation of this large and important system failures occur and then there are endocrine diseases. What diseases of the endocrine system are, how they proceed and what consequences you will learn from this article.

Major diseases of the endocrine system, list

Hormones play a huge role- they affect the physical parameters of a person, his psycho-emotional state and physiological processes.

If the work of the endocrine system is disrupted for some reason, then there are pathological processes in which:

  • disruption of hormone production
  • hormones are produced in a reduced or increased amount
  • the processes of transport or absorption of the hormone are disrupted
  • an abnormal hormone is produced
  • hormonal resistance develops
Endocrine system

Any such disruption of the endocrine system leads to the development of the disease. Identify the most common diseases of the endocrine system:

  • Hypothyroidism- a disease caused by hypofunction of the thyroid gland, when an insufficient amount of hormones is produced. The disease is characterized by a slowdown in metabolic processes, which leads to a number of symptoms that at the initial stage are attributed to ordinary fatigue. Women are more likely to suffer from hypothyroidism than men - in the fair sex, the disease is observed 19 times more often
  • Diabetes- a disease that develops against the background of a complete or partial lack of insulin, which leads to a violation of metabolic processes. Fats, proteins and carbohydrates are poorly absorbed, incomplete breakdown of glucose occurs, which causes hyperglycemia. This leads to accompanying diabetes symptoms and complications.
  • Goiter - violation of the production of thyroid hormones (its hypo- or hyperfunction), accompanied by dysplasia (an increase in size that is not associated with the occurrence of a tumor). The most common cause of goiter is a lack of iodine in the diet, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland.
  • Thyrotoxicosis- hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. Many organs and systems, due to an excess of thyroid hormones, change their work, which leads to a number of specific symptoms.
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis- destructive changes in the tissues of the thyroid gland caused by a malfunction of the immune system, in which immune cells destroy thyroid cells, perceiving them as foreign agents
  • Hypoparathyroidism- hypofunction of the parathyroid glands, which is expressed in the occurrence of seizures with convulsions
  • Hyperparathyroidism- Excessive production of parathyroid hormone, which is produced by the parathyroid glands. Accompanied by a violation of the metabolism of certain microelements
  • Gigantism- excessive production of growth hormone, which leads to an increased, but proportional development of the body. In adults, the hyperfunction of this hormone provokes an increase in the size of certain parts of the body.

Video: Diseases of the endocrine system

Symptoms of endocrine diseases

The endocrine system includes all endocrine glands Therefore, endocrine diseases have a wide range of very different symptoms.

Some of the signs of these pathological conditions are often attributed to fatigue, stress, or overeating, while the disease begins to progress.

Most common symptoms of endocrine diseases:

  • fatigue, muscle weakness
  • a sharp change in weight (weight gain or weight loss with an unchanged diet)
  • heart pain, palpitations
  • fever, sweating
  • unnatural excitability
  • drowsiness
  • frequent urination
  • constant feeling of thirst
  • high blood pressure accompanied by headaches
  • memory impairment
  • diarrhea


Endocrine diseases can masquerade as other diseases for a long time

Symptoms of endocrine diseases sometimes mixed- the patient may suspect a variety of ailments.

Only a professional approach to treatment and taking a blood test for hormones will help to dot the “i” and establish the correct cause of the ailment.

Risk factors for endocrine diseases

Endocrine diseases may occur quite unexpectedly for the patient, but may be quite expected. So, there are certain groups of people who tend to to certain ailments of the endocrine system.

Specialists highlight such risk factors:

  • Age - most often, malfunctions in the work of the endocrine glands affect people who have crossed the 40-year milestone
  • hereditary predisposition - many diseases of the endocrine system are "transmitted" by inheritance, for example, diabetes mellitus is often observed in both parents and children
  • Overweight - more than 80% of obese people face problems in the functioning of the endocrine glands
  • Improper nutrition - an unbalanced diet leads to malfunctions of many organs and systems - endocrine is no exception
  • Bad habits - it has been scientifically established that both alcohol and tobacco smoking negatively affect the functioning of the endocrine glands
  • Reduced physical activity - people who move little, have a slow metabolism, overweight and poor blood supply to the endocrine glands, which affects their work


Obesity, malnutrition and low mobility can cause endocrine disruption

Thus, to the development of endocrine diseases many are predisposed. But, if nothing can be done about heredity and age, then all other factors can be easily changed and save your health.

Diagnosis of diseases of the endocrine system

Determine the presence of an endocrine disease can only endocrinologist, therefore, do not try to diagnose yourself, much less prescribe any treatment.

In determining the malfunction of the endocrine glands, effective are such diagnostic methods:

  1. Visual inspection- already at the first appointment, the doctor can determine the presence of an endocrine disease by the external condition of the patient: this will be indicated by the condition of the skin, the proportionality of body parts, pigmentation of the skin in various places, enlargement of the thyroid gland, atypical hair growth
  2. Palpation- if there are no visible signs of the disease, then the doctor will be able to determine the development of such a disease as goiter by probing the thyroid gland
  3. Blood test for sugar and hormones is the most demonstrative diagnostic method. A change in the normal level of hormones in the blood will give the specialist reason to assume the presence of any disease, and the accompanying symptoms will help to establish the exact cause.


Palpation of the thyroid gland

In addition to the basic methods for diagnosing endocrine diseases, a doctor can also use additional ones such as:

  • x-ray examination
  • CT scan
  • auscultation

What hereditary diseases of the endocrine system exist?

Many endocrine diseases occur due to mutations in genes. Such a mutation becomes a hereditary factor that is passed down from generation to generation. Allocate such hereditary diseases of the endocrine system:

  • Pituitary dwarfism- insufficient production of hormones by the pituitary gland, as a result of which dwarfism and insufficient sexual development develop
  • Diabetes(both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent)
  • Adrenogenital syndrome- insufficient production of some corticosteroids and excessive production of others
  • Hypothyroidism- if a woman during pregnancy does not control the level of thyroxin in hypothyroidism, then it can be transmitted to her child


If both parents have diabetes, the child's risk is 25%.

The listed diseases are optional. diagnosed immediately at birth. Some of them can manifest themselves throughout life and even in old age.

Children's diseases of the endocrine system

Endocrine organs of the child constitute a fragile system, which, under the influence of adverse factors, can fail.

Since the child's body grows and develops, the endocrine glands change with it, and negative influences from outside may not exert their influence for a long time due to specific mechanisms of endocrine compensation.

Compensation mechanisms protect the body up to a certain time and can be neutralized at any time, which will lead to to the development of endocrine disease.



Examination of a child by an endocrinologist

Children are most often diagnosed such endocrine diseases:

  • Diabetes- the most common disease of the endocrine system in children. Of the 70 million people with diabetes worldwide, 10% are children
  • Gigantism- non-standard indicators of the growth of the child or individual parts of the body, caused by the action of hormones. It is most pronounced in adolescence, but can make itself felt even earlier.
  • brain gigantism- accelerated growth of the child during the first 4-5 years of life, caused by brain disorders
  • Dwarfism- Slow growth of the child due to dysfunction of the pituitary gland. The main reasons for the failure of this part of the brain is heredity or the development of a tumor.
  • Itsenko-Cushing's disease- pathology of the adrenal glands, in which there is an excessive production of active substances - glucocorticoids. The child develops obesity and high blood pressure.
  • Hypothyroidism
  • hyperthyroidism


Gigantism of the hands in a child

Treatment of endocrine diseases in children aimed at maintaining vital processes and functions, if the disease is incurable or to correct the condition.

Diseases of the endocrine system during pregnancy

Previously, it was believed that pregnancy and endocrine diseases are incompatible. Today, medicine has stepped forward and a woman with diabetes or hypothyroidism can become a mother if he takes care of his health and follows the instructions of doctors.

Pregnancy with hypothyroidism:

  1. Before planning a pregnancy, a woman must enter a state of disease compensation
    2. When pregnancy has occurred, then, as directed by the doctor, it is necessary to increase the dose of levothyroxine, usually by 50% off regular
    3. An endocrinologist must monitor the condition of a woman throughout the entire period of pregnancy
    4. Iodine therapy is indicated


It is important to discuss with the doctor whether pregnancy is possible with an endocrine disease.

Pregnancy with diabetes:

  1. Careful preconception preparation
    2. Achieve disease compensation
    3. Frequent control of insulin, constant correction of its doses
    4. Specialized assistance in childbirth

woman with diabetes should be aware of all the risks of pregnancy with such a complex disease.

Miscarriages often occur, the baby is stillborn, or after birth it needs special care in order to save a life. Don't forget also that diabetes is hereditary and there is a high probability that it will occur in your child.

Thyrotoxicosis and pregnancy:

A woman in position can continue thyrostatic treatment- it will not have a detrimental effect on the fetus. Mandatory monitoring of the condition by an endocrinologist and early registration.



Often, taking drugs to correct the work of the endocrine glands during pregnancy does not stop

Thyroid cancer during pregnancy:

With such a disease, it is imperative surgical intervention which is recommended for 20-24 weeks fetal development. If the tumor does not progress, then its removal can be carried out after childbirth.

Important: In case of serious endocrine diseases, it is necessary discuss the possibility of pregnancy with the attending physician.

If conception has already occurred, then it is necessary register as soon as possible to the antenatal clinic - this will help protect the life of the child and your health.

Tests for diseases of the endocrine system

  • Endocrine diseases are diverse and very often their diagnosis is difficult.
  • This is due to the fact that most of the endocrine glands, except for the thyroid and testicles, cannot be palpated or seen
  • In addition, a blood test for hormones shows their concentration, but says nothing about their metabolism, which is extremely important to know for making a diagnosis.


To diagnose an endocrine disease, it is important to take a blood test.

For the diagnosis of endocrine diseases analyzes are carried out:

  • radioimmunoassay
  • for hormones (determination of the content of hormones in the blood)
  • for sugar (blood, urine)
  • glucose tolerance test

Remember that before passing any analysis, you must stick to certain rules which can be checked with a doctor. If they are not observed, the results of the analysis may be false.

Consequences of endocrine diseases

Hormones play an important regulatory role in the body, and if their production is disrupted, this can lead to a variety of negative consequences for the body.

First of all, the work of many internal organs, metabolic processes, functions of the endocrine glands, there are somatic disorders and cosmetic defects.



At the slightest suspicion of an endocrine disease, consult a doctor
  • People suffering from endocrine diseases sometimes become hostages of their condition. Constant use of drugs, hormones, maintenance therapy sometimes become lifelong
  • In addition to the underlying disease, concomitant diseases often occur, which further worsen the well-being and condition of the patient.
  • Endocrine diseases must be treated, if a cure is impossible, then correction is always possible and its relief with the help of various drugs
  • Do not forget that their appointment is within the competence only endocrinologist and do not aggravate the situation by self-medication

Take care of your health!

Video: What endocrine diseases can cause infertility?

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The area of ​​study of endocrinology is the medical aspects of the structure and functioning of the endocrine glands (or endocrine glands), the study of the biologically highly active substances produced by them - hormones and their effects on the body, as well as diseases arising from the disruption of the activity of these glands or the production of hormones. Endocrinology is the most is closely connected with almost all areas of clinical medicine, since hormones control the most important processes occurring in the body: growth, maturation, reproduction, metabolism, proper functioning of organs and systems.

Modern trends in endocrinology are neuroendocrinology, which studies the relationship between the nervous and endocrine regulation of the body, and gynecological endocrinology, which deals with the correction of hormonal disorders in the female body.

The endocrine system combines anatomically unrelated endocrine glands: pineal gland, pituitary gland, parathyroid glands, thyroid gland, thymus gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, gonads. Most diseases of the endocrine glands cause severe violations of vital functions, not excluding death, if you do not consult an endocrinologist in time.

The most pressing problems of modern endocrinology are the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases (diffuse toxic goiter, thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, thyroid cysts), diabetes mellitus, diseases of the hypothalamic-pituitary system (

Contacting an endocrinologist is necessary if:

  • close relatives have any endocrine pathology: diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, etc.
  • you are overweight
  • you have symptoms: increased heart rate, sweating or dry skin, fatigue or irritability, thirst and increased urination, discoloration of the skin, etc.
  • the child has a delay in mental, physical, sexual development
  • disturbed menstrual function
  • you are planning a pregnancy or have problems with its onset
  • you already have an endocrine disease and require observation and treatment.

For the diagnosis of endocrine pathology, a comprehensive examination is used, which includes a study of the patient's history, tests for the content of various hormones, ultrasound of the glands, and magnetic resonance imaging. Based on the data obtained, the issue of further conservative or surgical treatment is decided.

Treatment of endocrine diseases is aimed at correcting hormonal disorders, achieving a stable remission of the pathological process and restoring the normal quality of life of the patient.