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Endocrine Information

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There are two types of glands: exocrine and endocrine. Normally glands are one or the other, but your pancreas works as both!

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Not all hormones are released by glands: your stomach, liver, and parts of your brain release hormones too!

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Endocrinology (the study of the endocrine system) can be traced back thousands of years, all the way to China!

Background:

The endocrine system is an interconnected system that uses blood to transport hormones (chemical messengers) all over the body. It is responsible for helping the body regulate many processes and coordinate any changes. The endocrine system works by secreting different hormones, which are produced by glands. Some of these glands include the parathyroid and thyroid glands, thymus, pancreas, adrenal glands, and gonads (ovaries in women, testes in men). These glands and organs secrete hormones which serve as chemical messengers, communicating with other organs and telling them what to do. 

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The endocrine system is responsible for regulating many different functions all throughout the body, such as:

  • Growth and development

    • Growth and development of the brain and nervous system  

    • Development of a person from a fetus to an adult 

      • The changes associated with puberty are regulated by hormones. 

  • Fertility and sexual function

  • Blood pressure regulation

  • Sleep regulation

  • Metabolism

  • Mood and emotional regulation

  • Appetite regulation 

    • Ghrelin is a hormone that is released by the stomach to send hunger signals to the brain. Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells in the body and signals the brain that there is enough energy in the body to function properly, inhibiting hunger. 

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Endocrine Anatomy:

Glands of the endocrine system:

  • Hypothalamus: helps to control blood pressure, sleep, appetite, hunger, temperature, and water balance. It also secretes hormones that either suppress or stimulate the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus is located at the base of the brain. 

  • Pituitary Gland: produces and releases hormones that aid in growth, metabolism, stress or trauma response, reproduction, lactation (milk production), childbirth, and water and sodium (salt) balance. The pituitary gland is located below the hypothalamus, at the base of the brain. 

  • Pineal Body: produces melatonin, which is a hormone that aids sleep. The pineal body is in the middle of the brain, below the corpus callosum (which connects both halves of the brain). 

  • Thyroid Gland: plays an important role in metabolism, growth, and development. It is located below the larynx (voice box), at the front of the neck.  

  • Parathyroid Gland: helps to regulate calcium levels. Located on the thyroid gland.  

  • Thymus: produces specialized white blood cells called T-lymphocytes (T-cells). It is located behind the sternum (chest bone), in front of the ascending aorta (large artery coming up from the left side of the heart).  

  • Pancreas: regulates blood sugar by producing hormones such as insulin and glucagon. It also plays a role in digestion. The pancreas is located between the spine and the stomach. 

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(Image retrieved from https://www.hormones-australia.org.au/the-endocrine-system/)

  • Adrenal Gland: works in conjunction with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to maintain blood pressure and regulate metabolism through the production and release of epinephrine and corticosteroid hormones. There are two adrenal glands in the body, one on top of each kidney.

  • Pancreas: regulates blood sugar by producing hormones such as insulin and glucagon. It also plays a role in digestion. The pancreas is located between the spine and the stomach.

  • Ovaries: are found in the biological female, and produce and release the ova (eggs), as well as estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries are located at the ends of the fallopian tubes, on either side of the uterus (womb).

  • Testes: are found in the biological male and produce and release sperm and testosterone. The testes are located within the scrotum.

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Endocrine Disease:

Diabetes is an endocrine disease that affects over 100 million Americans. It affects how the body absorbs and processes sugar. It is the job of the pancreas to produce insulin and glucagon, two vital hormones that manage blood glucose. Insulin helps cells absorb glucose when it gets too high, and glucagon stimulates the stores of glucose in your body to be released when blood glucose is too low. 

  • Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic condition where the pancreas does not make enough insulin to absorb glucose in the blood. When this occurs, blood sugar levels rise. Some symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:

    •  excessive urination

    • increased thirst

    • blurred vision

    • hunger

    • fatigue.

       To manage type 1 diabetes, artificial insulin can be introduced in the blood stream, which triggers cells to             absorb glucose once again, bringing blood sugar levels back to normal.

  • Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic condition where dysfunction with how the body makes or “listens” to the signals given by insulin occurs. Typically, the body either does not make enough insulin, or becomes resistant to it. This also results in abnormal blood sugar levels. As with type 1 diabetes, symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

    • excessive urination

    • increased thirst

    • blurred vision

    • hunger

    • fatigue

    • Poor wound healing

       Treatment or management of type 2 diabetes includes diet, exercise, insulin therapy, or medication.

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To learn more about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, click here. ​

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Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is another endocrine disease that can occur in some women. With PCOS, the ovaries produce an excessive amount of androgen hormones, which are male sex hormones that are found in small amounts in women. Due to an increase in androgen hormones, some women with PCOS may experience excessive hair growth on the face. Other symptoms include:

  • acne breakouts

  • irregular menstrual cycles

  • infertility

  • obesity

Treatment for PCOS can include the use of birth control, medication, statins, or hormone therapy. To learn more about PCOS, check out the following links:

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Developments:

Check out the following links to learn more about new developments:

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