Hormones are chemicals produced in ductless glands called endocrine glands that release hormones directly into the blood stream. Hormones are often secreted in one part of the body, while acting on organs remote from the site of their production. They stimulate their target organs to perform specific actions when released, and regulate several important body processes including blood pressure and blood glucose levels. When individuals lack various hormones, they exhibit side effects associated with deficiencies of these chemicals.
Types
Some types of hormonal diseases characterized by a lack of or deficiency of hormones are diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency and hypopituitarism. In a certain type of diabetes mellitus--type 1--the pancreatic hormone called insulin is deficient, while in hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone is low or absent. Adrenal insufficiency results in a lack of cortisone and other adrenal hormones. The pituitary gland secretes several hormones, such as growth hormone and corticotropin. Some of the hormones it secretes stimulate the production of other hormones. For example, corticotropin induces the adrenal glands to make cortisol. In hypopituitarusm, pituitary hormones such as growth hormone are low.
Causes
A person may lack certain hormone due to several reasons. Some people are born with conditions in which certain hormones are not produced. Congenital hypothyroidism is one such condition. Autoimmune diseases can also lead to a lack of certain hormones. Here, the body's immune system attacks and destroys hormone producing glands. Infections, lack of blood flow to the endocrine glands and tumors in the hormone producing glands are also reasons why a person may be deficient in some hormones.
Side Effects
Hormones carry out specific functions. Cortisone regulates blood pressure, while insulin controls the amount of glucose in the blood. When hormones are absent, the processes they control are disrupted. A symptom of adrenal insufficiency is low blood pressure, while people who have diabetes mellitus have high blood sugar levels. In hypothyroidism, the rate at which the body works slows down, while in hypopituitarism, several functions such as growth in children are affected.
Treatment
When the cause of hormone deficiency cannot be repaired, the deficient hormone can often be replaced with synthetic hormones. In the case of hypopituitarism, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library reports that growth hormone, thyroid hormone and other pituitary hormones are replaced because the pituitary gland is unable to either produce or stimulate production of these hormones. Insulin is replaced in type 1 diabetes as well.
Considerations
When the side effects of low hormones are not readily observed and treated, dire consequences may result. The Mayo Clinic explains that signs of thyroid hormone deficiency are subtle, and may be attributed to aging among more severe effects. Myxedema coma is a life-threatening condition that occurs when hypothyroidism is not treated. It causes slow breathing, low blood pressure, low body temperature and can also cause death.
References
- Merck Manual Online Medical Library: Hypopituitarism
- Mayo Clinic: Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)
- Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases: Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison's Disease: Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison's Disease
- Merck Manual Online Medical Library: Diabetes Mellitus
- Merck Manual Online Medical Library: Endocrine Function
