A chronic metabolic condition characterized by gradual, noticeable enlargement and elongation of the bones of the face, jaw, and extremities due to oversecretion of the pituitary gland after puberty. 

Usually caused due to a tumor of the pituitary gland.

(ak-roh-MEG-ah-lee)

The anterior pituitary gland

(ad-eh-noh-high-POFF-ih-sis)

A glandular tumor

(ad-eh-NOH-mah)

Any disease of a gland, characterized by enlargement. 

(ad-eh-NOP-ah-thee)

Surgical removal of one or both of the adrenal glands

(ad-ree-nal-EK-toh-mee)

A hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates sodium and potassium balance in the blood 

(al-DOSS-ter-ohn)

Any steroid hormone (e.g., testosterone) that increases male characterics

(AN-droh-jen)

Pertaining to teh suppression of urine proudction; an agent give to suppress the production of urine

(an-tye-dye-yoo-RET-ik)

Pertaining to the outer region of an organ or structure

(COR-tex)

A steroid hormone occurring naturally in the body; also called hydrocortisone 

(COR-tih-sal)

A congenital condition (one that occurs at birth) caused by a lack of thyroid secretion. This condition is charaterized by dwarfism, slowed mental development, puffy facial features, dry skin, and large tongue. 

(KREE-tin-izm) 

A condition occurring in pregnancy characterized by the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus (such as impaired ability to metabolize carbohydrates due to insulin deficiency, and elevated blood sugar level). These symptoms usually disappear after delivery of the baby

A metabolic disorder characterzed by extremely polydipsia (excesive thirst) and polyuria (excessive urination). This is a disorder of the pituatiary gland due to a deficiency in secretion of the antidiuretic hormone. 

symptoms: excesive thirst; urine has low specific gravity

Treatment: ADH is administered

(in-SIP-id-us)

A disorder of the pancrease in which the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas fail to produce an adequate amount of insulin, resulting in the body's inablity to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins appropriately. 

Symptom: hyperglycemia; glycosuria; polydipsia; polyuria 

(MELL-ih-tus)

A dangerous condition that occurs as a result of severe lack of insulin, causing the body to break down body fats instead of glucose for energy. The stored fat is broken down into fatty acids and glycerol. The liver changes the fatty acids into ketone bodies (acids), which leads to an increase in acidity of the blood (acidosis) called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). 

Also known as diabetic coma. 

(kee-toh-ass-ih-DOH-sis)

A condition in which there is an abnormal underdevelopment of the body. This condition is characterized by extremely shot height and is usually caused by undersecretion of the pituitary gland (growth hormone). 

there is an absence of secondary sex characteristics. 

Treatment may include administration of human growth hormone or somatotropin until height of 5 ft is reached. 

Other hormones may need to be administered around puberty. 

(DWARF-sim)

A physician who specializes in the mdeical practice of treating the diseases and disorders of the endocrine system. 

(en-doh-krin-ALL-oh-jist)

The field of medicine that deals with teh study of the endocrine system and of the treatment of the diseases and disorders of the endocrine system. 

(en-doh-krin-ALL-oh-jee)

A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla. This hormone plays an important role in teh body's respose to stress by increasing the heart rate, dilating the bronchioles, and releasing glucose into the bloodstream. 

(ep-ih-NEF-rin)

One of the female hormones that promotes the development of female secondary sex characteristics. 

(ESS-troh-jen)

Pertaining to a normally functioning thyroid gland. 

(yoo-THIGH-royd)

A hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans of teh pancrease that stimulates that liver to convert glycogen into glucose. 

(GLOO-kuh-gon)

The formation of glycogen from fatty acids and proteins instead of from carbohydrates. 

(gloo-koh-JEN-eh-sis)

The presence of sugar in the urine. 

(gly-kohs-YOO-ree-ah)

A term used to refer to the female sex glands (ovaries) and the male sex glans (testes) 

(GOH-nadz)

Hyperthyroidism

Characteristics: hyperthyrodism (hypermetabolism)

                      Thyroid gland enlargment (goiter)

                 Exophthalmia (unnatural protrustion of the eyes)

Complications: Exophthalmia

                    thyroid storm (thyrotoxicosis)

                     heart disease 

A condition in which there is excessive body hair in a male distrubition pattern. 

(HER-soot-izm)

Elevated blood calcium level 

(high-per-kal-SEE-mee-ah)

Elevated blood sugar level

(high-per-gly-SEE-mee-ah)

Excessive activity of teh ovaries or testes

(high-per-GOH-nad-izm)

An excessive amount of insulin in the body. 

(high-per-IN-soo-lin-izm)

An elevated blood potassium level

(high-per-kal-EE-mee-ah)

An elevated blood sodium level

(high-per-nah-TREE-mee-ah)

Hyperactivity of any of the four parathyroid glands, resulting in an oversecretion of parathyroid hormone. 

Leads to high livesl of calcium in the blood and low levels of calcium in the bones. 

Symptoms: are due to hypercalcemia. Include muscle weakness and atrophy; nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal pain; bone fragility and terndenss

(high-per-pair-ah-THIGH-roy-dizm)

Overactivity of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

(high-per-pih-TOO-ih-tair-izm)

Overactivity of the thyroid gland. 

also called Graves' disease 

Less than normal blood calcium level

(high-poh-kal-SEE-mee-ah)

Less than normal blood sugar level 

(high-poh-gly-SEE-mee-ah)

Less than normal blood potassium level

(high-poh-kal-EE-mee-ah)

Less than normal blood sodium level

(high-poh-nah-TREE-mee-ah)

Surgical removal of the pituitary gland

(high-poff-ih-SEK-toh-mee)

Less than normal activity of the thyroid gland

A condition in which there is a shortage of thyroid hormone, causing an extremely low body metabolism due to a reduced usage of oxygen; also called myxedema  in the most severe form. 

(high-poh-THIGH-roy-dizm)

A state of shock due to extremely low blood sugar level caused by an overdoese of insulin, a decreased intake of food, or excessive exercise by a diabetic patient who is insulin dependent.

Sever hypoglycemia is a medical emergency. 

The most severe form of hypothyroidism in the adult. This condtion is characterized by puffiness of the hands and face; coarse, thickened edematous skin; an enlarged tongue; slow speech; loss of and dryness of the hair; sensitivity to cold; drowsiness; and mental apathy. 

(miks-eh-DEE-mah)

A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla.

This hormone plays an important role in the body's response to stress by raising the blood pressure. 

(non-ep-ih-NEH-frin) 

A hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland. 

This hormone stimulates teh contractions of the uterus during childbirth and stimulates the release of milk from the breasts of lactating women in resopnse to the suckling reflex of the infant. 

(ok-see-TOH-sin)

Excessive thirst 

(pall-ee-DIP-see-ah)

Excessive eating 

(pall-ee-FAY-jee-ah)

The excretion of excessively large amounts of urine. 

(pall-ee-YOO-ree-ah)

A female hormone secreted by the ovaries. This hormone is primarily responsible for the changes that occur in the endometrium in anticipation of a fertilized ovuum and for development of the maternal placenta after implntation of a fertilized ovum. 

(proh-JESS-ter-ohn)

A conditoin characterized by severe cramping and twitching of the muscles and sharp flexion of the wrist and ankle joints; a complication of hypocalcemia

(TET-ah-nee)

A hormone secreted by the thymus, thought to stimulate the production of T-cells

(thigh-moh-POY-eh-tin)

A hormone secreted by the thymus. This hormone is thought to stimulate the production of specialized lymphocytes, called T-cells, which are invovled in the immune response. 

(thigh-MOH-sin)

Inflammation of teh thyroid gland

(thigh-royd-EYE-tis)

A hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. This hormone helps maintian normal body metabolism (abbreviated as T4)

(thigh-ROKS-in)

A hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. This hormone helps regulate growth and development of the body and control metabolism and body temperature (abbreviated as T3)

(try-eye-oh-doh-THIGH-roh-neen)

The development of masculine physical traits in the female; 

also called masculinization. 

This condition may be due to an abnormality or dysfunction of the adrenal gland, as in adrenal virilism. 

Typically occurs in adult women 30 and 40 years of age. 

(VEER-il-izm)

A proportional overgrowth of the body's tissue due to the hypersecretion of the human growth hormone before puberty. 

chiefly in the long bones 

usually due to an adenoma of the anterior pituitary

Treatment: reduction of the pituitary gland

(JYE-gan-tizm)

A complex syndrome resulting from the absence or deficiency of the pituitary hormone(s). 

symptoms: metabolic dysfunction, growth, retardation, sexual immaturity 

(high-poh-pih-TOO-ih-tah-rizm)

Malignant tumor of the thyroid gland, which leads to the dysfunction of the gland and thus inadequate of excessive secretion of the thyroid hormone. 

Goiter

(simple; nontoxic)

Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland 

Result from a deficient amount of iodine in the diet, rquired for the synthesis of T3 and T4 thryoid hormones

The low amounts causes the hyroid gland to over produce T3 and T4 which thus causes a goiter. 

The goiters are usually respons to potassium iodid. Some need removal surgacally

(GOY-ter)

Chronic Thyroiditis

(Hashimoto's)

Chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland leading to enlargment of the thyroid gland. 

The gland tissue is destroyed by antibodies and replaced with fibrous tissue 

Treatment is thyroid hormone replacement for life. 

(thigh-royd-EYE-tis)

Thyrotoxicosis

(Thyroid Storm)

An acute, sometimes fatal, incident of overactivity of the thyroid gland resulting in excessive secretion of thyroid hormone. 

(thigh-roh-toks-ih-KOH-sis)

Hypoparathyroidism

Decreased production of parathyroid hormone, resulting in hypocalcemia, characterized by nerve and muscle weakness wtih muscle spasma or tetany

Symptoms: hair loss, brittle naisl, malabsorption, arrhythmias, mood disorders, hyperactive reflexes. Blood phosphate levels are elevated. 

Treatment aims at increasing calcium levels 

A life-threatening disease process due to failure of the adrenal cortex to secrete adequate mineralocorticoids and glucocoricoids resulting from an autoimmune process, a neoplasm, an infection, or a hemorrhage in the gland. 

Sumptoms: low blood glucose, low blood sodium, with loss, dehydration, etc 

Conn's Disease

(Primary Aldosteronism)

A condition characterized by excretino of excessive amounts of aldosterone, the most influential of the mineralocorticoids, which causes the body to retain extra sodium and excrete extra potassium, leading to an increased volume of blood (hypervolemia) and hypertension. 

(al-doss-STAIR-ohn-izm)

A condition of the adrenal gland in which a cluster of symptoms occur as a result of an excessive amount of cortisol or ACTH circulating in the blood 

Primary " " is caused by tumor

Secondary: occurs as a result of cushing's disease 

A vascular tumor of the adrenal medulla that produces extra epinephrine and norepinephrine, leading to persistent or intermittent hypertention and heart palpitations. 

(fee-oh-kroh-moh-sigh-TOH-mah)

A disorder of the blood vessels of the retina of the eye, in which the capillaires of the retina expereince localized areas of bulging (microaneurysms), hemorrhages, leakage, and scaring. 

Occurs as a consequence of an 8- to 10- year duraction of diabetes mellitus. 

(ret-in-OP-ah-thee)

Blood glucose sample taken usually early in the morning after the person has been wtihout food or drink since midnight. 

more accurate evaluation of the blood glucose level. 

A test that evaluates the person's ability to tolerate a concentrated oral glucose load by measuring the glucose levels: 

prior to, 30 min after, 1 hr after, 2 hr after, and 3 hr after glucose administration 

Thyroid Echogram

(ultrasound)

An ultrasound examination important in distinguishing solid thyroid nodules from cystic nodules 

(THIGH-royd EK-oh-gram)

An examination that determines the position, size, shape, and physiological funciton of the thyroid gland through the use of radionuclear scanning

Used to diagnosis: 

neck or substernal massses; thyroid nodules; cause of hyperthyroidism; evaluating metastatic tumors with an unknown primary site

A test that measures teh concentration of TSH in the blood

this test is used in differentiating primary hypothyroidism (problem in structure) from secondary hypothyroidism (problem with stimulation)