ENDOCRINE

SYSTEM
 Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

 Enumerate the major endocrine glands and their functions.

 Describe the diseases of the endocrine glands.
 Appreciate the importance in keeping our endocrine system healthy.
Endocrine System

 Theendocrine system is made up of organs called

endocrine glands.
 A glandis the smallest living unit in the body that
produces and releases a chemical substance called
hormones.
 The Over-all Role of the Endocrine System

1. Endocrine system are consists of many glands which secretes hormones

directly into the bloodstream to regulate daily activities of the body and
controls its overall development. The hormones act as chemical messengers
in the body which stimulates many organs such as the ovaries and the testes.

2. Endocrine system is also known as the “system of checks and balances”

that works to keep the body system healthy.
3. It is similar to thermostat (temperature regulator) because it may turn on
when the temperature is below normal and may turn off when the
temperature is above normal, thus the endocrine system turns on and off in
response to the level of hormones in the body.

4. When the endocrine system is not properly doing its job, the over health of
the body may be affected such as energy level, physical appearance and the
ability to produce offspring.
 The Location and Role of the Endocrine Glands in the body
GLAND HORMONE FUNCTION AND LOCATION
Hypothalamus Releasing factors It is connected to the pituitary gland by blood vessels
Oxytocin to regulate body temperature, blood pressure, and use
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) of water. The ADH increases water uptake in the
kidney. The oxytocin released from the hypothalamus
is to control muscle contraction of uterus and milk
production. The hypothalamus is a small gland
located at the base of the brain. It regulates activities
of the body, metabolism, and reproduction.
Pituitary Adrenocorticotropic hormone It stimulates adrenal gland to release specific
(ACTH) hormone. It stimulates thyroid gland to release
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) specific hormone. It stimulates thyroid gland to
Growth hormone release specific hormones. It regulates growth of
prolactin skeletal system. It stimulates milk production in
mammary glands.
 GLAND HORMONE FUNCTION AND LOCATION

Adrenal Adrenaline (epinephrine) It controls “fight or flight” response. The adrenaline

Aldosterone hormone is released into the blood stream when a
person has a fright. It is found just above the kidney.
It produces specific hormones that affect the
functioning of the kidneys, metabolism, and response
to stressful situations. It also secretes both male and
female sex hormones in both sexes. It increases
uptake of sodium and water in the kidney.

Thyroid Thyroxine It is located at the front of the pituitary gland. It

Calcitonin regulates the rate of metabolism. This gland secretes
thyroxine, which contains iodine and the calcitonin
which controls calcium level in bloodstream.
 GLAND HORMONE FUNCTION AND LOCATION

Parathyroid Parathyroid hormone These are four tiny glands connected to the back of the
thyroid gland. The parathyroid hormone regulates the
minerals in the body-calcium and phosphorus in
bloodstream.

Pancreas Insulin It is located beneath the stomach. The insulin controls

Glucogen the level of sugar in the blood. The glucogen
stimulates the liver to convert glycogen to glucose.
Hypoglycemia can occur if there is a low sugar in the
blood.

Thymus Ovaries and Testes Estrogen It is located in the upper chest of the heart. It plays an
Progesterone important role in developing some of the body’s
Testosterone defense against infection. These two reproductive
glands play an important role in reproduction.
 Diseases of the Endocrine Glands

HYPOTHYROIDISM
 Isa condition in which the thyroid gland cannot
produce the normal amount of thyroid hormone.
Symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, sluggishness,
decreased memory, dry skin, heavy period, and
always feeling cold. They could have an enlarged
thyroid.
Treatment: Hormone replacement
CUSHING’S SYNDROME
 Isa tumor in the pituitary gland. The tumor will cause the
adrenal glands to produce too much of the stress-related
hormone called cortisol. Excessive amounts of cortisol in the
body lead to cushing’s syndrome.
Symptoms: Fatigue, weight gain, trouble sleeping, irregular
periods, extra hair growth, and depression
Treatment: Surgery to remove the tumor
METABOLIC SYNDROME
 Also known as insulin resistance. The patient has
elevated insulin levels and abdominal obesity.
Symptoms: High blood pressure, weight gain; men
may have gout or undergo balding, women may
have extra hair growth and irregular periods.
Treatments: Low-carbohydrate diet and improved
insulin action like Glucophage level
ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY
 Isa disease that occurs mostly in female due to a drop
in estrogen levels.
Symptoms: Developed fatigue around the time of
menopause
Treatment: Hormone-replacement therapy

TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY
 Caused by a low level of testosterone due to a pituitary,
adrenal, or ovary/testes problem.
Symptoms: Both men and women feel fatigued and have
low libido
Treatment: Testosterone replacement
GIGANTISM OR ACROMEGALY
 Isa disease in the pituitary gland that produces too much
growth hormones. It is also a condition that causes
abnormal growth in children. Abnormal growth is due to
the overproduction of growth hormones. The bones and
body parts may grow abnormally fast, but if the growth
hormone levels are too low, a person can stop growing.
Symptoms: Very large hands and feet, thickening of toes
and fingers, prominent jaw and forehead, and coarse facial
features, flat nose and large head, lips, or tongue.
Overproduction of sweat, delayed puberty, weakness, and
deafness
Treatment: Removing the tumor
Keeping the Endocrine System Healthy

1. Know your family history.

2. Eat a healthy diet.
3. Minimize stress in your life.
4. Stay in touch with your doctor.