Endocrine disorders

Modified on Tue, Feb 28, 2023 at 12:25 PM

Endocrine Disorder	Symptoms	abnormal test results	Treatment Options
Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1)	Increased thirst and urination; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; blurry vision; increased hunger	High blood sugar (glucose) levels, low levels of insulin or C-peptide	Insulin injections, dietary changes, exercise, and monitoring blood sugar levels
Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)	Increased thirst and urination; fatigue; blurry vision; slow healing of wounds; tingling or numbness in hands or feet	High blood sugar (glucose) levels, insulin resistance	Diet and exercise changes, medication (oral hypoglycemics or insulin), and monitoring blood sugar levels
Hypothyroidism	Fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, hair loss, and constipation	High thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, low levels of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3)	Levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone), lifestyle changes
Hyperthyroidism	Weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, tremors, sweating, increased appetite	Low TSH levels, high levels of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3)	Antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine treatment, surgery
Hypopituitarism	Fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, decreased sex drive, decreased muscle mass	Low levels of one or more pituitary hormones (e.g., growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone)	Hormone replacement therapy
Hyperprolactinemia	Irregular periods, decreased breast milk production in non-pregnant women, decreased sexual drive, and infertility	High levels of prolactin	Medication to decrease prolactin levels; surgery in some cases
Addison's disease	Fatigue, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, low blood pressure	Low levels of cortisol and aldosterone	Hormone replacement therapy with cortisol and aldosterone
Cushing's syndrome	Weight gain (especially in the face, neck, and upper back), easy bruising, high blood pressure, increased body hair, and irregular periods (in women)	High cortisol levels	Surgery, radiation therapy, and medication to lower cortisol levels
Acromegaly	Enlarged hands and feet, thickened facial features, joint pain, sleep apnea	High levels of growth hormone	Surgery to remove the tumor and medication to lower growth hormone levels

Endocrine Disorder	Symptoms	abnormal test results	Treatment Options
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)	irregular periods, weight gain, excessive hair growth, acne, and fertility issues	high levels of androgens (male hormones), insulin resistance	Lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise), medication to regulate periods, and insulin levels
Hashimoto's thyroiditis	Fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, hair loss, and constipation	High TSH levels and high levels of thyroid antibodies	Levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone), lifestyle changes
Grave's disease	Weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, tremors, sweating, increased appetite	Low TSH levels, high levels of thyroid antibodies	Antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine treatment, surgery
Hypogonadism	Decreased sexual drive, erectile dysfunction (in men), infertility, and hot flashes (in women)	Low levels of testosterone (in men) or estrogen (in women)	Hormone replacement therapy
Hyperaldosteronism	High blood pressure, low potassium levels, muscle weakness, frequent urination	High levels of aldosterone	Surgery or medication to lower aldosterone levels
Diabetes Insipidus	Excessive thirst and urination, dehydration	Low levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or an inability of the kidneys to respond to ADH	Medication to replace ADH, lifestyle changes
Pheochromocytoma	High blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, sweating, headaches	High levels of catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine)	Surgery or medication to lower catecholamine levels
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN)	Tumors in multiple endocrine glands, which can cause a variety of symptoms depending on which glands are affected	Genetic testing to identify mutations associated with MEN	Surgery or medication to manage symptoms

Endocrine Disorder	Symptoms	Abnormal Test Results	Treatment Options
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)	Ambiguous genitalia in newborn girls, excessive hair growth, irregular periods, infertility	Low levels of cortisol and aldosterone, high levels of androgens	Hormone replacement therapy, surgery
Primary Hyperparathyroidism	Weak bones, kidney stones, abdominal pain, fatigue	High levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium	Surgery, medication to lower calcium levels
Diabetes Mellitus (Gestational)	High blood sugar levels during pregnancy, increased thirst and urination, fatigue, blurry vision	High blood sugar (glucose) levels, low levels of insulin or C-peptide	Dietary changes, exercise, monitoring blood sugar levels, medication in some cases
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Deficiency	Fatigue, weight loss, decreased appetite, low blood pressure	Low levels of ACTH and cortisol	Hormone replacement therapy
Turner Syndrome	Short stature, infertility, heart defects, learning disabilities	Missing or incomplete X chromosome	Hormone replacement therapy, surgery
Hypoglycemia	Shakiness, sweating, confusion, blurred vision, dizziness	Low blood sugar (glucose) levels	Dietary changes, medication
Hypercalcemia	Weak bones, abdominal pain, fatigue, excessive thirst and urination	High calcium levels	Medication to lower calcium levels, surgery in some cases
Adrenal Insufficiency	Fatigue, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, low blood pressure	Low levels of cortisol and aldosterone	Hormone replacement therapy with cortisol and aldosterone

Again, this table is not complete, and each disorder may have other signs, tests, and treatments. It's important to talk to a doctor or nurse to get an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.