SIGNS &

SYMPTOMS OF
ENDOCRINE
DYSFUNCTION

Dr. Joseph P. Sibarani, SpPD

Symptoms of endocrine disturbance
Frequently non-specific
May be detected by chance

Affect many body systems

careful observation of a patient with

non-specific symptoms prompting the
recognition of specific symptoms
Common presenting symptoms:

• appetite and/or weight change

– in hyper/hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus,
Cushing’s syndrome

• polydipsia (excessive thirst)

and/or polyuria (passing >3 litres
urine/day) – in diabetes mellitus, diabetes
insipidus or hyperparathyroidism
Common presenting symptoms:

• change in facial/body hair

growth and distribution – in
hypogonadism, hypopituitarism, adrenal insufficiency,
androgen excess. Hirsutism is the excessive growth of
thick terminal hair in an androgen-dependent distribution
(upper lip, chin, chest, back, lower abdomen, thighs) in
women
Common presenting symptoms:

• change in skin and mucosal

pigmentation and character:
coarse dry skin in hypothyroidism; excessive
pigmentation and/or vitiligo (areas of
depigmented skin) in Addison’s disease (Fig.
5.17D); soft-tissue overgrowth and skin tags in
acromegaly; acanthosis nigricans (velvety
thickening and pigmentation of the major
flexures, especially the axillae and groins: Fig.
5.11A) in obesity, and type 2 diabetes