Introduction to Endocrinology

Endocrinology; What is it?

         Endocrinology is the study of hormones including diseases and conditions related or associated with hormonal imbalance. The endocrine system which is a finely integrated system continually communicate through feedback inhibition and stimulation to control all aspects of metabolism, growth and reproduction. Through this, it is possible to characterize an underlying  abnormality and provide treatment.

Questions regarding growth and development can now be addressed by studying  the changing pattern of hormones. It is a known truth that the endocrine system regulates our mood, growth and maturity, tissue function, metabolism as well as sexual and reproductive function.

For sure it will tickle our mind and imagination for what seems to be a dry, boring subject is a wonderful subject very interesting and educational.

Figure 1

Photo credit: 

http://webs.ashlandctc.org/mflath/KEY%20ENDOCRINE%20OBJECTIVES.htm

Major Endocrine Glands and Hormones

glands	HORMONES	GLAND/HORMONE FUNCTION	SOME DISORDERS
Hypothalamus (Lower middle of the brain)	Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) Prolactin-(PRL) Antidiuretic Hormones- (ADH)	Communicates with both nervous and endocrine systems. Stimulates (GHRH, TRH, CRH, GnRH) or inhibits (PIF) hormone production in the pituitary Water balance	Precocious puberty (early GnRH production) Kallman syndrome (inadequate GnRH production)
Pituitary (below hypothalamus, behind sinus cavity)	Prolactin Growth Hormone ACTH TSH LH, FSH	Milk production Bone growth Stimulates cortisol Stimulates thyroid Regulation of testosterone and estrogen, fertility	Hypopituitarism    Empty Sella Syndrome    Galactorrhea Acromegaly or Gigantism (excess GH) Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) Cushing disease (excess ACTH) Hyper/Hypothyroidism (TSH) Loss of menstrual period Loss of sex drive Infertility
Thyroid (butterfly shaped, Lies flat against windpipe in the throat)	T4 (thyroxine) T3 (triiodothyronine) calcitonin	Metabolism Regulate blood in calcium	Thyroid diseases (including hypo and hyperthyroidism)
Parathyroid (located above or next to thyroid)	Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)  or Parathormone		Hyperparathyroidism Hypoparathyroidism
Adrenal    (2 organs on top of kidneys)	Epinephrine Norepinephrine Aldosterone  Cortisol	Blood pressure regulation stress reaction Salt, water balance Stress reaction	Pheochromocytopenia(MEN2) Conn syndrome Cushing syndrome Addisons disease
Ovaries (located on the pelvis)	Estrogen Progesterone	Female sexual characteristics	Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Testes (located in the groin)	Testosterone	Male sexual characteristics	Hypogonadism
Pancreas (located behind the stomach)	Insulin Glucagon Somatostatin	Glucose regulation	Diabetes mellitus MENI Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Pineal (lower side of the brain)	Melatonin	Helps control sleep patterns

Did you know that Nervous system and Endocrine system work together?

You might wonder how this is possible? For our information, the endocrine and nervous system work together to attain a normal body function. The endocrine system in charge of the body processes of cell growth and development of different body organs of the body while breathing and movement of the body are controlled by the nervous system.

The hypothalamus which is the linked of the nervous system to the endocrine system via pituitary gland allows the release of hormones and is then circulated to different body organs. Here, we can see that the two major vital systems of our body work hand in hand to promote maintain a normal body function, our bodies normal function.

For us to understand more, please watch this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMrPlCDGUwo

Reference:
http://www.blurtit.com/q1085214.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_the_nervous_and_endocrine_systems_work_together
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/endocrine/start/2
Donald F. Calbreath, Clinical Chemistry a Fundamental Textbook
Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods 21st Edition