Endocrinology is a field of medicine that specifically deals with the glands in the body that produce all sorts of hormones. For example, insulin and thyroid hormone are examples of specific hormones. Sometimes an underlying medical disorder causes these hormones to become overproduced or underproduced.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that's associated with high blood sugar levels. MedlinePlus says it affects more than 20 million people in the United States.
Three types of diabetes exist. Type 1 diabetes involves a destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unresponsive to insulin's effects. Gestational diabetes refers to uncontrolled blood sugar levels that can occur during pregnancy.
Specific diabetes symptoms include extreme thirst or hunger, weight loss and frequent urination. Blurry vision and weight loss are other symptoms of diabetes. MedlinePlus says symptoms of Type 1 diabetes typically last for a shorter time.
Treatment for diabetes involves limiting sugary foods from the diet, exercising daily and eating a well-balanced diet full of fruits or vegetables. Also, you can take medications such as human form insulin, metformin and glyburide.
Hashimoto's Disease
The Mayo Clinic says Hashimoto's disease wreaks havoc with the thyroid gland, a gland that produces the thyroid hormones needed for metabolism. It says its symptoms include a puffy face, hoarseness, constipation and pale or dry skin. Hashimoto's disease also causes muscle weakness, depression, a high blood cholesterol level, weight gain, fatigue and depression.
Hashimoto's disease is due to an autoimmune attack to the thyroid gland. Treatment for this disease involves synthetic hormones such as levothyroxine.
Hyperthyroidism
MedlinePlus says hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism symptoms include fatigue, trouble concentrating, restlessness, weight loss, an increased appetite and nervousness. Other symptoms include diarrhea, hair loss, vomiting, nausea, trouble sleeping and protruding eyes (exopthalmos).
Taking antithyroid medications or receiving radioactive iodine may be used to manage hyperthyroidism. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary to remove the thyroid.
Gigantism
MedlinePlus says gigantism is a condition in which too much growth hormone is made in childhood. Symptoms of gigantism include weakness, delayed puberty, weakness and a prominent jaw. This endocrine disease can also lead to thickening of the facial features and large hands.
A tumor in the pituitary gland (in the brain) can be a cause for gigantism. Other causes include such diseases as neurofibromatosis and McCune-Albright syndrome.
Treatment for gigantism involves surgery to remove the pituitary tumor. Sometimes, dopamine agonists and radiation can be used to treat this endocrinology disease.
