Goiter is caused due to abnormal secretion of thyroid hormones.
Goiter (swelling) of the neck in a 21 year old female patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland, in this case caused by the autoimmune disorder Hashimoto's disease causing hypothyroidism (lowered thyroid function). Endocrine diseases are disorders of the endocrine system. The branch of medicine associated with endocrine disorders is known as endocrinology. Endocrine disorders are often quite complex, involving a mixed picture of hyposecretion and hypersecretion because of the feedback mechanisms involved in the endocrine system. For example, most forms of hyperthyroidism are associated with an excess of thyroid hormone and a low level of thyroid stimulating hormone.
Diabetes is a chronic disease caused due to high levels of blood sugar in the body.
When the mechanisms of glucose homeostasis go awry, there are serious consequences. Diabetes mellitus, perhaps the best – known endocrine disorder, is caused by a deficiency of insulin or a decreased response to insulin in target tissues. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused due to abnormal function of pancreas. Hypo and hyperthyroidism:
Insufficient secretion of thyroxine may lead to three conditions – simple goitre, cretinism and myxoedema. Simple goitre is the enlargement of the thyroid and is visible as a swelling in the neck. This is due to insufficient quantity of iodine in food. Cretinism is a condition, which affects the growth of children showing dwarfism and mental retardation. This is due to defective development, or early atrophy (degeneration) of the thyroid. Myxoedema is a condition that affects an adult if his thyroid does not function properly; in this condition, the person becomes sluggish with swelling of the face and hands. Hyperthyroidism – Excess of thyroxine secretion may also cause a kind of goitre called exophthalmic goiter (exo: outward, ophthalmos: eye). The person having it shows a marked increase in metabolic rate, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath; the eyes are protruded and forms a goitre in the neck. These are the disorders related to thyroid gland.
Hyposecretion from adrenal cortex causes Addison's disease. Symptoms are loss of energy, skin pigmentation, loss of weight, nausea, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), sensitivity to cold and pain, increased susceptibility to infections, etc. Hypersecretion of adrenal cortex causes Cushing's syndrome. Symptoms are obesity, hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, weakness, high blood sugar, salt and water retention. These are the disorders related to adrenal gland.
Gigantism, is a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average. In humans, this condition is caused by over–production of growth hormone in childhood resulting in persons between 7 feet (84 inches) (2.13 m) and 9 feet (108 inches) (2.74 m) in height. Hypersecretion of growth hormone causes Gigantism in children and Acromegaly in adults (enlargement of the bones of the extremities, face, and jaw). These are the disorders of pituitary gland.
Diabetes mellitus, perhaps the best – known endocrine disorder, is caused by a deficiency of insulin or a decreased response to insulin in target tissues. It is a pancreatic disorder. The thymus is a specialized organ of the immune system. The thymus "educates" T–lymphocytes (T cells), which are critical cells of the adaptive immune system. Thus, abnormalities of thymus lcauses malfunctioning of immune system.