What Are the Symptoms of Endocrine Disorders?

What Are Endocrine Disorders?

Diseases related to the endocrine glands or system of the body are known as endocrine disorders. Endocrine disorders develop when one or more parts of the endocrine system cannot function properly. This can lead to having low or high levels of certain hormones or result in the body not responding properly to specific hormones, which can cause many health problems. The most common endocrine disorders are caused by improper functioning of the adrenal glands, pancreas, pituitary glands, and thyroid glands.

Common Endocrine Disorders

These include:

• Prolactinoma (excess production of prolactin by the pituitary gland)
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease resulting in low production of thyroid hormone and hypothyroidism)
• Graves’ disease (a type of hyperthyroidism resulting in excessive production of thyroid hormone)
• Cushing’s syndrome (high levels of cortisol for extended periods)
• Addison’s disease (less production of hormones by the adrenal glands)
• Acromegaly (high production of growth hormone)
• Diabetes mellitus

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Symptoms of Endocrine Disorders

Certain Symptoms Can Depend on Specific Parts of the Affected Endocrine System:

Common symptoms of diabetes mellitus

• Fatigue
• Changes in vision
• Excessive hunger and thirst
• Vomiting and nausea
• Constant urination
• Unexplained weight gain or loss

Common symptoms of acromegaly

• Sexual dysfunction
• Joint and body aches
• Headaches
• Sleep apnea
• Deep voice
• Fatigue

Common symptoms of Addison’s disease

• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Salt cravings
• Hypotension
• Loss of appetite
• Headache

Common symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome

• Hyperglycemia
• Fatigue
• Buffalo hump
• Irritability
• Constant thirst
• Hypertension

Common symptoms of Graves disease

• Tachycardia
• Tremors
• Goiter
• Irregular heart rate
• Unexplained weight loss
• Intolerance to heat

Common symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

• Loss of hair
• Weight gain
• Intolerance of cold
• Constipation
• Muscle and joint pain
• Fatigue

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism

• Diarrhea
• Changes in mood
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Tremors

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism

• Slow heart rate
• Swollen face
• Constipation
• Missed menstrual cycle
• Dry hair
• Unexplained weight gain

Common symptoms of prolactinoma

• Loss of libido
• Unexplained milk production
• Infertility
• Erectile dysfunction
• Missed menstrual periods

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Causes of Endocrine Disorders

Depending on the condition, endocrine disorders have a wide range of different causes. For instance, Cushing’s syndrome and acromegaly often occur due to the presence of a tumor in the pituitary of the adrenal gland. Though such tumors are noncancerous, they still require removal to manage the condition. In some cases, the problem can result from hormonal imbalance. For instance, high androgen levels in women can lead to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).  In addition, endocrine problems can also be caused by autoimmune conditions.

Diagnosis of Endocrine Disorders

Endocrine disorders can cause a variety of symptoms, and many of these symptoms can overlap with other health conditions. This can result in many difficulties when diagnosing endocrine disorders. A diagnosis may require specific tests and tools. A doctor can diagnose an endocrine disorder by using:

• Urine test – This helps rule out other problems like kidney problems and infections
• Genetic test – This helps check for gene abnormalities that increase the risk for endocrine disorder or affect a person’s response to the treatment.
• Imaging studies – These can include imaging scans like MRI and CT that help evaluate cancer or tumor and plan treatments accordingly.
• Hormone test – This helps to determine whether a person has abnormally low or high levels of specific hormones

Treatment of Endocrine Disorders

The symptoms of endocrine disorders can arise from hormone deficiency or excessive production of hormones. They can be treated by correcting the hormonal imbalance. This is generally done by employing the synthetic administration of hormones. However, in cases like prolactinoma, radiation therapy or endocrine surgery may be used. In most cases, the diagnosis and treatment of the main cause of the endocrine disorder can resolve the symptoms.

When to Contact a Doctor

If you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms that could indicate an endocrine disorder, you should contact a doctor immediately. Such disorders can be difficult to identify due to the wide range of symptoms and their similarity to other health conditions. The treatments can range from hormone replacement therapy to endocrine surgery procedures.

Conclusion

Endocrine disorders are a collection of conditions that result from issues with one or more parts of the endocrine system. These disorders develop when the endocrine system produces too little or too much hormone or if the body doesn’t respond well to the hormone. You should consult a doctor and go for an adequate treatment plan as soon as you are diagnosed with such disorders.

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