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Endocrinology is the study of endocrine glands. Endocrine glands secrete hormones, which are chemical messages that travel into the bloodstream or extracellular fluid and affect the activity of another cell or organ. Each hormone is designed to target a response from a specific organ of the body.
The most common glands and their hormones include:
| Adrenal Glands |
| Location: |
Above kidneys. |
| Hormone: |
Adrenalin, aldosterone, and cortisol. |
| Purpose: |
Regulates sodium, potassium, and chloride levels in the body, maintains blood pressure, controls kidney function, and manages overall fluid concentrations in body. Moderates sugar release from liver, blood clotting, and arterial contractions (adrenalin). Regulates salt and water balance (aldosterone) and treats inflammation (cortisol). |
| Disorders: |
Pheochromocytoma (overproduction of adrenaline), Cushings syndrome (overproduction of cortisol), Cohn’s syndrome (overproduction of aldosterone). Adrenal insufficiency (absent production of cortisol). |
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| Pancreas |
| Location |
Behind stomach. |
| Hormone: |
Insulin, glucagon, gastrin, and others. |
| Purpose: |
Regulates blood sugar levels (insulin and glucagon) and storage of glycogen in the liver. Produces enzymes for digestion (gastrin). |
| Disorders: |
Hypoglycemia (low levels of blood glucose), diabetes (little or no production of insulin), and peptic ulcer disease (high levels of gastrin). |
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| Parathyroid Glands |
| Location |
In neck, behind thyroid gland. |
| Hormone: |
Parathormone (parathyroid hormone). |
| Purpose: |
Regulates levels of calcium throughout the body. |
| Disorders: |
Hyperparathyroidism (overproduction of parathyroid hormone), which could lead to osteoporosis. |
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| Pituitary Gland |
| Location |
Base of brain. |
| Hormone: |
Growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), prolactin (PRL), vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH), oxytocin, and others. |
| Purpose: |
Controls activity of other endocrine glands. Regulates growth (growth hormone), signals thyroid to produce thyroid hormone (thyroid stimulating hormone), stimulates adrenal gland to produce cortisol (adrenocorticotropic hormone), regulates estrogen and testosterone production (follicle-stimulating hormone), controls blood pressure (vasopressin), and regulates contraction of uterus (oxytocin). |
| Disorders: |
Hypopituitarism (lack of production of any or all of the pituitary hormones); acromegaly (overproduction of growth hormone); pituitary tumor; hyperprolactinemia (overproduction of prolactin), and diabetes insipidus (lack of production of vasopression or antidiuretic hormone). |
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| Reproductive Glands |
| Location |
Lower abdomen. |
| Hormone: |
Estrogen and progesterone in females. Androgens (including testosterone) in males. |
| Purpose: |
Regulates growth, development, and reproductive functions. Controls development of female sexual characteristics and stimulates uterine lining during menstrual cycle (estrogen), prepares the uterus for fertilization (progesterone), and is responsible for secondary male characteristics (androgens). |
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| Thyroid Gland |
| Location |
In front of the neck, on each side of the larynx. |
| Hormone: |
Thyroxine (thyroid hormone). |
| Purpose: |
Regulates normal growth and development (children) and normal metabolic rate (adults). |
| Disorders: |
Goiter (enlargement of the gland), hypothyroidism; myxedema (little or no production of thyroid hormone), cretinism (lack of thyroid hormone in children), hyperthyroidism (overproduction of the thyroid hormone), and thyroid cancer. |
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| Bone |
| Location |
Bones of the body. |
| Disorders: |
Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). |
The Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism at City of Hope's Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Diabetes and Genetic Research Center offers a comprehensive program that combines detailed treatment protocols with continuing education. This assures that people living with endocrinology diseases have the medical care and information they need to achieve an optimal quality of life.
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