Hormone imbalances happen when the endocrine glands overproduce or underproduce certain hormones. These imbalances may occur as a result of tumors in the organs that produce them or when the body attacks and destroys hormone-producing glands. Hormones regulate important body processes such as water balance, the rate at which body processes occur, glucose availability and the body's response to infection. Because of this, when there is a hormonal imbalance, it causes certain effects in the body.
Infection
The function of the body's immune system is to fight off infections. Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disease that occurs when the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol. "Cushing's Syndrome," by Lewis S. Blevins, explains that excess amounts of cortisol in the body suppress the immune system. Additionally, The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library explains that a symptom or effect of Cushing's syndrome is reduced resistance to infection.
Excessive Growth
The pituitary gland produces growth hormone. This hormone promotes growth and development in the body. When the pituitary gland makes too much of this hormone, a disease called gigantism occurs. A side effect of this disease is excessive growth. Gigantism occurs in children whose epiphyseal plates have not closed. Excessive growth is manifested as enormous growth of the long bones. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library explains that due to this, a person grows to unusually large stature with long arms and legs.
Increased Urinating and Thirst
Excessive urinating and thirst are side effects or symptoms of diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mellitus is caused by a lack of insulin---a hormone that removes glucose from the blood---or inappropriate use of insulin by the body. In this disorder, blood glucose levels are higher than normal. The kidneys normally reabsorb glucose into the body, but when there is too much of it in the blood, they dispose of it in urine. During the process of disposal, excess water is produced. This is how increased urinating occurs in diabetes mellitus. Because the body loses so much water, it induces thirst as a way to correct the loss.
Antidiuretic hormone regulates the amount of water the kidneys excrete. Underproduction of this hormone causes a hormonal disorder called central diabetes insipidus. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library reports that a lack of antidiuretic hormone causes excessive production of urine and increased thirst.
References
- "Cushing's Syndrome"; Lewis S. Blevins; 2002
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Central Diabetes Insipidus
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Cushing's Syndrome
- "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Diabetes"; M.D. Davidson, Mayer B. Davidson and Debra L. Gordon; 2009
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Acromegaly and Gigantism
