The Endocrine System

By Julie & Jenna

Overall Function

Comprised of ductless glands that secrete hormones Hormones are “chemical messengers” that

transfer information from one set of cells to another in order to coordinate the functions of body.

Steroids Peptides Amines

Glands Hypothalamus

Center part of brain Regulates Metabolism & body temperature Somewhat controls pituitary gland with its

“releasing hormone” Pituitary

Base of brain, under the Hypothalamus (pea sized)

“Master Gland”; it produces hormones that cause the other glands to function properly

Split into the 2 lobes (anterior & posterior)

Glands Cont’d

Thyroid Front part of neck Regulates metabolism, bone growth &

nervous system development in children Helps maintain normal blood pressure, heart

rate, digestive patterns, muscle tone, and reproductive function

Parathyroid 2 pairs embedded in the Thyroid Regulates calcium levels in the blood as well

as metabolism

Glands Cont’d

Adrenal Triangle shaped gland located stop each

kidney 2 main parts

Adrenal Cortex: outside of gland-corticosteroids (control metabolism, balance of body salt and water levels, and have an immune function)

Adrenal Medulla: inside of gland-catecholamine (control adrenaline, heart rate, blood pressure, and cope with stress

Glands Cont’d

Reproductive Sex-hormones Male testes: testosterone Female ovaries: estrogen & progesterone

Pineal Middle of brain Deals with the hormone Melatonin in order to

regulate wake/sleep cycle

Glands Cont’d

Pancreas Behind the stomach, back of abdomen Hormonal functions & aids digestion 2 parts

Exocrine pancreas - secretes digestive enzymes Endocrine pancreas - insulin & glucagons which

regulate glucose levels in blood

Glands Cont’d

Kidney Lower abdomen, towards the back Considered part of the endocrine system

because they have some hormonal interactions with the adrenal glands & the rest of the body

Thymus Upper chest behind the breastbone 2 lobes which join in front of the trachea Important immune function

Diabetes Body does not produce or properly use

insulinHormone used to convert sugar,

starches, etc into energy needed for daily life

Two types of testsFasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG)Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Pre-DiabetesBlood Glucose Levels are higher than

normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

No symptomsTreatment

Eat a healthy dietLose weight (5-10%)Exercise

Type 1 Diabetes Body does not produce insulin Children & young adults

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Type 1 Diabetes Cont’d Symptoms

Increased thirstFrequent urinationWeight lossExtreme hungerFatigueBlurred vision

Treatment Insulin injectionsNo oral medication

Type 2 DiabetesOften hereditaryObesity is a major factorMost commonAdult-onsetBody doesn’t produce enough

insulin or islet cells ignore the insulin

Type 2 Diabetes Cont’d Symptoms

Same as Type 1 + Headaches Slow healing cuts or sores Frequent yeast infections Itching Numbness/tingling in hands & feet Dark skin changes in neck, armpit, & groin

Treatments Oral Medication Insulin shots may have to be prescribed

Gestational Diabetes

Occurs only during pregnancy Placenta produces hormones which impair

the action of insulin in the tissues When blood sugar levels rise too high, it can

effect the growth & development of the baby No noticeable signs or symptoms but may

cause increased thirst & urination A doctor will address it

Gestational Diabetes Cont’d Treatments

Diet Exercise Medication

Insulin injections Oral

Blood Sugar monitoring (4-5 times a day) Draw blood from tip of finger & place on

test strip & put into glucose meter

Advancements in Diabetes Research

Comfort Curve strip by Accu-Check    One Touch UltraSmart Meter Stem Cell Research Discovery of 6 new genes associated with the

onset of type 2 diabetes Europe, EURODIA & EUGENE2 projects

Reimplantation Implantable insulin pump  

 

Endocrine DisordersCushing’s Syndrome

Exogenous & Endogenous Causes: too much cortisol in the blood for an

extended period of time Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the

adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) In normal amounts, it helps the body convert

fat to energy, maintain immune system function, maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function, and respond to stress

Cushing’s Syndrome Cont’d Causes continued…

Exogenous-Occurs in patients taking cortisol-like medications. These meds are usually used to treat inflamfamatory disorders like asthma. It is temporary and goes away when the patient finishes the course of medication

Endogenous- Much rarer, caused by tumor(s) on the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland (at the base of the brain). These tumors produce too much cortisol

Cushing’s Syndrome Cont’d Effects:

Exogenous: Cushing’s will go away but if a person starts taking medications again for an issue like asthma, for example, it can start up again and thus medications must be taken

Endogenous: With surgery, the body’s production of ACTH drops two levels below normal. As compensation, patients take a synthetic form or cortisol. Some have to take this for 1-2 years while others must be on it for life.

Cushing’s Syndrome Cont’d Symptoms:

Weight Gain (especially in the upper body) High blood sugar (diabetes) High blood pressure (hypertension) Thin bones (osteoporosis) Muscle Loss Purple/red stretch marks usually over the

abdomen and under the arms) Too much facial hair in women Poor height growth and obesity in children Weakness Easily-bruised, fragile skin Reduced sex drive Inability to think clearly/depression

Cushing’s Syndrome Cont’d Treatments: Depends on the cause

Exogenous – When the patient slows down and eventually stops taking the cortisol-like medications, Cushing’s syndrome will go away

Endogenous – The first approach is usually to have surgery which will remove the tumor(s). If this isn’t successful, patients can undergo radiation therapy, or drugs to lower cortisol production, or the removal of the adrenal glands

Endocrine DisordersAddison’s Disease

AKA Primary Adrenal Insufficiency Causes: The adrenal glands (located at the

top of each kidney) produce and insufficient amount of steroid hormones, despite having the right amount of ACTH, a hormone that tells the adrenal glands to release steroids

Effects: Treatments usually have to be continued for life.. As long as a person continues their dosage schedule, they can maintain a normal lifestyle.

Addison’s Cont’d Symptoms

Fatigue/Weakness Loss of Appetite Gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, etc) Darkening of the skin on the face, neck and back

of hands Low blood pressure A craving for salt (due to salt loss) Dehydration Sudden penetrating pain in the lower back,

abdomen, or legs

Addison’s Cont’d Treatments

Replacing or substituting the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making.

Medication can be taken orally Standard therapy included intravenous injections

of hydrocortisone, saline (salt water), and dextrose (sugar)

Citations http://www.hormone.org/Resources/Adrenal/loader.cfm?

csModule=security/getfile&pageid=874 http://www.hormone.org/endocrine_system_diseases.cfm http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/addison/

addison.htm#symptoms http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/cushings/

cushings.htm#treatment http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-1

diabetes/DS00329/DSECTION=symptoms http://www.endocrineweb.com/diabetes/1diabetes.html http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/type-2-diabetes/overview.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gestational-diabetes/DS00316/

DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs http://www.eubusiness.com/Health/diabetes-research-eu.1/

More Citations

http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/_bfs_ESmoviesource.html http://www.med.howard.edu/physio.biophys/MILLIS

%20HOME%20PAGE_files/endocrine%20lecture.ppt#293,22,feedbackloops/

http://www.iwu.edu/~bkauth/330/330-5.PPT#256,1,THEendocrinesystem

www.barstow.edu/faculty/rstinson/Human%20Anatomy/Endocrine%20System.pdf

www.kidskonnect.com/content/view/337/27/ www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/

BioBookENDOCR.html www.syvum.com/cgi/online/serve.cgi/online/serve.cgi/

squizzes/biology/endo.html?question_hide www.hormone.org/endo101