Prevention,

Detection and
Treatment of
Disease of the
Endocrine
System

Aerish Trisha A. Rebleza

Kent Icer Capio

What is endocrine system?

– The endocrine system is made up of glands that

produce and secrete hormones, chemical
substances produced in the body that regulate the
activity of cells or organs. These hormones
regulate the body's growth, metabolism (the
physical and chemical processes of the body), and
sexual development and function.
Causes of endocrine disorders

– Endocrine disease that results when a gland produces too

much or too little of an endocrine hormone, called a
hormone imbalance.
– Endocrine disease due to the development of lesions (such
as nodules or tumors) in the endocrine system, which may
or may not affect hormone levels.
 Dwarfism

– Pituitary dwarfism is characterized by the body’s insufficient production of growth hormones.

– The most common symptom among children is the unusually smaller stature compared to
other children of the same age.
– This is because of the insufficient amount of growth hormones leads to slower growth.
– This pituitary gland malfunction can be congenital or acquired after birth.
– Acquired pituitary dwarfism can be caused by a brain tumor, head trauma, disease of the
pituitary gland or hypothalamus, radiation therapy for certain cancers, or through an
autoimmune condition known as lymphocytic hypophysitis.
– Patient are treated with a synthetic growth hormone given before child’s growth plates are
fused together.
 Diabetes Mellitus

– It is a group of metabolic disorders in which a

person’s blood glucose level is high due to either to
inadequate insulin production or the inability of
blood cells to respond to insulin, or both.
– People with diabetes experience frequent urination
as well as excessive thirst and hunger.
 Types of Diabetes

 Type 1 Diabetes – The body doesn’t produce insulin. People with

this disorder will need to take insulin injections throughout their
lifetime, go for regular blood tests, and follow a special diet.
 Type 2 Diabetes – The body produces minimal insulin or the body’s
cell do not react to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance.
Overweight and obese individuals are at high risk of acquiring this
type of diabetes. This type of diabetes is a progressive disease. Diet,
exercise, and taking antidiabetic tablets can control the progression.
 Gestational diabetes – About 2 to 10 % of expectant mother
experience it during their pregnancy. Due to hormonal changes
during pregnancy, a pregnant woman’s cells are less responsive to
insulin. During this time, the pancreas cannot keep up with the
insulin demand, and so the mother experiences high glucose levels on
her blood. Untreated or poorly controlled gestational diabetes could
affect the unborn baby. As more glucose enters the placenta and is
absorbed by the baby, it can lead to a condition known as
macrosomia or “fat baby”. Moderate exercise, medication, and
observing a well – planned diet can help treat gestational diabetes.
All types of diabetes are treatable. With the right
management and combination of exercise, diet, and weight
control, people with diabetes can manage this disorder.
However, if left untreated, diabetes can lead to complications
such as heart problems, hypertension, eye complications, foot
infections, and ulcers, stroke, and slow- healing wounds.
 Thyroid Disorders

– Thyroid problems are associated with the

abnormal production of thyroid hormones
either by the excessive or insufficient
secretion of the thyroid gland.
 Hyperthyroidism

– It results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones. Patients experience tremors,

nervousness, fatigue, intolerance for heat, concentration problems, increased sweating, eye
changes (exophthalmos), or increased bowel movement.
– Grave’s Disease, named after the Irish physician Robert James Graves who fully described the
disorder, is the most common form of hyperthyroidism. The most common symptoms is goiter,
or the enlargement of the thyroid gland.
– Aside from Grave’s disease, goiter can also be associated with other factors such as iodine
deficiency and the thyroid cancer.
– Treatment can be through medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery.
 Hypothyroidism

– Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't

produce enough of certain crucial hormones.
– When your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, the balance of chemical reactions in
your body can be upset. There can be a number of causes, including autoimmune disease,
hyperthyroidism treatments, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and certain medications.
– Symptoms associated with insufficient amount of thyroid hormone include goiter, fatigue, poor
concentration, dry skin, constipation, unusually cold feeling, depression, and prolonged
menstruation in women.
– Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone
levothyroxine. This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and
symptoms of hypothyroidism.