Problems with the endocrine system. Checking the thyroid gland at home and in the hospital. Norm for adults and children

The human endocrine system is the first stronghold of immunity. Work disruptions cause the most severe consequences for the body. And for last decades Endocrine disease statistics have increased significantly and become younger. What are the causes of disturbances in the functioning of the glands? internal secretion and how can I restore it?

The endocrine gland system is the collection of all the glands in the human body. With the help of hormones produced own cells, they regulate a large number of processes in the body.

Irregularities in work can cause the development of the following diseases:

• Pathology of the pituitary gland can provoke the development,.
• Pathology of the pancreas causes the development of diabetes.
• Violations thyroid gland – various shapes hyperthyroidism and thyroiditis.
• Pathology of the adrenal glands - hormonal deficiency and tumors against this background.
• Pathology of the ovaries in women provokes cycle disorders of various nature, tumor processes, .

Reasons for violations

Pathology endocrine glands may cause various factors endogenous and exogenous origin:

• Infectious viral and bacterial processes.
• Congenital pathology.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Acute inflammatory processes.
• Disorders of the blood supply to the gland.
• Lack or excess of substances that provoke malfunctions of the glands.
• Toxic and radiation exposure.

Regular diet violations, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle life, bad environment, excess weight, age also increases the risk of developing endocrine diseases.

How to help the endocrine system?

How to treat endocrine diseases, if it occurs in the body hormonal disbalance? Before taking recovery measures, you need to confirm the diagnosis with a list of hormone tests that should be prescribed by the treating physician.

The following tips will help in the fight for recovery:

• Avoid serious stressful situations. Stress is one of the most serious risk factors for the development of endocrine pathologies.
• Play any sport. The first two points can be combined by choosing yoga as a sport, which will strengthen not only the body, but also restore mental balance.
• Refuse bad habits: alcohol abuse provokes inflammatory processes in the endocrine glands.
• If possible, adjust the impact environmental factors on the body.
• Adjust your diet by adding foods with a high content of essential substances to your diet.

Proper diet

How to restore the functioning of the endocrine glands? Thanks to the right products, you can regulate the level of hormones in the body, thus reducing the load on the diseased organ:

• if there is a lack of thyroxine, it is necessary to eat iodine-containing seafood, seaweed, and iodized salt;
• If there is insufficient testosterone in the diet, increase the amount of foods containing zinc: pumpkin seeds, crabs, mussels, oysters;

• deficiency requires beta-carotene, which is abundant in fresh carrots, and tyrosine (yogurt, dairy products);
• beans, grains, vegetable oils, spinach, liver, pumpkin pulp, raw eggs, parsley, cabbage;
• if there is a lack of oxytocin, which is produced by the pituitary gland, you can eat chocolate, avocado, banana, asparagus, zucchini, squash, celery;
• if there is a lack of somatotropin, it is necessary to eat foods with high content vitamin C, polyunsaturated Omega fatty acids, plant and animal protein, which is found in beans, soybeans, beans, and poultry.

Means for restoring the endocrine system are also fees medicinal herbs, which contain a large number of phytohormones.

Herbal remedies

Herbs can be used to treat the endocrine system or take them for preventive purposes.

How to improve the functioning of the endocrine glands? Herbalists recommend using herbs that contain hormone-like substances that can normalize the functioning of the system as a whole.

• Birch normalizes general hormonal levels and helps women during menopause. You need to take it by preparing an infusion: for 100 grams of young birch leaves and buds you need to take 400 ml of alcohol, leave for two months, and before use, dilute a teaspoon of tincture in 100 ml of water. Drink 2-3 times a day before meals.
• Teas and decoctions are prepared from linden and clary sage flowers that normalize hormonal levels, but the dosage of sage must be individually selected, as it can cause allergies due to the increased content of essential oils.

• Geranium leaves will help stimulate insufficient production of adrenal hormones if they are brewed in a glass of boiling water (one teaspoon of finely chopped geranium). Drink, strain, half a glass 2-3 times a day.
• Excessive production of hormones by the adrenal glands can be pacified with the following recipe: lungwort (10 grams) is brewed with boiling water (300 ml), left for about an hour, and squeezed. Take a quarter glass 20 minutes before meals, 3-4 times a day.

These are not all the recipes that can be used to tidy up your hormonal levels. But, in any case, for the effect to occur, you need to use the product for a long time and regularly, only then the result will be noticeable.

Bibliography

1. Romanova, E. A. Metabolic diseases. Effective ways treatment and prevention / E.A. Romanova. - M.: AST, VKT, 2009. - 128 p.
2. Murray R., Grenner D., Human biochemistry // Biochemistry of human intra- and intercellular communications. - 1993. - pp. 181-183, 219-224, 270.
3. Baranov V. G., Arsenyeva M. G., Raskin A. M. et al. Physiology and pathology of menopausal women. – L.: Medicine, 1965.
4. Sudakov K.V., Normal physiology. - M.: Medical Information Agency LLC, 2006. – 920 p.;
5. Agadzhanyan M. A., Smirnov V. M., Normal physiology: A textbook for students medical universities. – M.: LLC publishing house “Medical Information Agency”, - 2009. – 520 p.;
6. Naumenko E.V., Popova.P.K., Serotonin and melatonin in the regulation of the endocrine system. - 1975. - pp. 4-5, 8-9, 32, 34, 36-37, 44, 46.

Everyone knows that the endocrine system controls quite a lot of functions in the body. This control especially concerns metabolism and cell activity. It should be noted that the endocrine system consists of many organs that produce hormones, the most important of which are the pancreas and thyroid glands, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes. Therefore, disruption of the endocrine system leads to neoplasms in the glands, which, in turn, causes the production of hormones in large quantities. Autoimmune and other diseases whose causes are still unknown (for example, diabetes) are the result of system dysfunction. Many endocrine disorders cause characteristic symptoms in the form of various changes in the body.

Diseases are paired organ which releases hormones. They are located behind abdominal cavity between the kidneys. The adrenal glands consist of an outer part called cortical layer, and the inner or medulla layer. Any problems that arise with the functioning of the adrenal glands are associated with excess or insufficient production of hormones. In cases of cortical disease, the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone, which can lead to a disease such as Cushing's syndrome. There is also a risk of developing hypertension or hirsutism, increased blood glucose and other symptoms. A deficiency of adrenal hormones can result in skin pigmentation. Most common cause The disease is a tumor in the adrenal glands.

Pituitary gland diseases. The pituitary gland is a gland that is located in the brain next to sphenoid bone, at the level of the nasal cavity. Pituitary dysfunction can have two different symptomatic pictures. Pituitary hormones play an important role in the human body, therefore, regardless of whether they are absent or in excess, their dysfunction leads to a number of anomalies in which the endocrine system begins to malfunction. Dwarfism or gigantism is a consequence malfunction namely the pituitary gland.

Diseases of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a small area in the brain that lies midway between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. The hypothalamus, like the endocrine system as a whole, performs many various functions, so that its malfunction can lead to disruption of sleep and body temperature regulation, as well as problems with sexual activity. Insufficient amounts in the hypothalamus can lead to significant losses water in the body, which very quickly leads to dehydration.

Diseases thymus gland. The thymus is located behind the sternum in chest. Along with the growth and development of the body, the gland also increases, which in adolescence atrophies. Thus, the thymus plays a fairly important role precisely in initial stage life. Congenital absence of the thymus gland can result in a lack of T lymphocytes and therefore immunity. Thymus in children early age not yet fully developed, resulting in increased susceptibility to infectious diseases.

Diseases of the thyroid gland, which produces iodine-containing hormones, plays an important role in the development, growth and functioning of the entire nervous system. Most problems in functioning are caused by inflammation, hyperthyroidism (excess hormones leads to rapid loss weight gain, diarrhea and rapid heartbeat) or hypothyroidism (lack of hormones leads to weight gain, constipation, apathy, inactivity and dry skin).

- These are helper organisms. A balanced hormonal background is an invariable part for the full functioning of the body. Therefore, it is important to know how to check hormones in women and men.

Not only does this depend on general state person:

• appearance;
• healthy sleep;
• psychological state of the body;
• the work of the endocrine glands.

Causes of hormonal imbalance

Disturbances in hormone levels in the body can occur for a number of reasons. The most vulnerable is reproductive function. Thanks to the floors female hormones, the body can fulfill its purpose - this is procreation.

There are several causes of hormonal imbalance:

• various gynecological diseases. This could be a polyp, tumor (benign or malignant), uterine fibroids, cyst, menopause and other diseases;
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• changes and disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• pregnancy;
• abortions.

Depending on the cause affecting the imbalance of hormones in the body, the specialist will refer the woman for testing. After research and diagnosis of the problem in the body, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

Indications for taking a hormone test

The specialist must keep the change under control hormonal levels among women. The slightest fluctuations may indicate that there is serious problem. As a rule, a test is prescribed so that the doctor can make sure whether the body has ethologies of the endocrine system or gynecological diseases.

Signs indicating a hormonal imbalance:

• irregular menstrual cycle, without corresponding etiology;
• infertility different stages and degrees;
• before planning pregnancy;
• with decreased sexual desire;
• with sexual infantilism;
• mastopathy;

• pressure surges;
• skin problems: acne;
• establishment of pregnancy;
• severe premenstrual syndrome;
• excessive body hair and others.

Testing for hormones

A blood test is a study that helps clarify the presence and content according to the norm. It is mainly prescribed for the following symptoms:

• menstruation disorders;
• infertility;
• miscarriage;
• menopause

Hormones are biological substances, which enter the blood vessels after secretion by the endocrine glands. They influence the entire body and guide our actions.

The results of the study are assessed exclusively by the doctor. Since hormonal levels will fluctuate depending on the period of menstruation, the condition of the woman, and age. That is why, in a group of different ages, the test norm will differ in value.

How to do a hormone test correctly?

For analysis, a woman needs to donate blood. Hormones are very sensitive biologically active substances, any external changes environments may give inaccurate results. That is why it is imperative to know how to take the test correctly and accurately.

The doctor must give his recommendation on which specific day of menstruation the test should be taken. Is it possible to eat before taking the test or not? In addition, the level of body hormones depends on physical activity, from depression and stress, poor nutrition. Under no circumstances should you get tested if you have symptoms of the disease.

Rules for taking a hormone test

A prerequisite is delivery on an empty stomach. Food affects some hormones. As a result, their number in the body may increase or decrease. Result: unreliable diagnosis.

Before donating blood, you must exclude:

• sexual intercourse;
• alcohol;
• smoking.

Physical activity should be reduced to a minimum.

Cannot be accepted medicines. It is necessary to check with your doctor for a list of prohibited drugs.

The ideal time to take the test is approximately 2 hours after you wake up.

Female hormones

Hormones are released. After being absorbed into the blood, they begin to regulate the metabolism of useful substances in the body. And only then, hormones are destroyed under the influence of special enzymes.

This is a cycle that allows the body to develop properly and helps the functioning of various processes in the body. When taking an analysis, a specialist can promptly identify any abnormalities and begin treatment.

Blood donation period

Depending on the type of hormone, the test takes place in different period menstrual cycle.

Progesterone helps the egg implant in the uterus. If the level in the pregnant woman’s body is insufficient, a miscarriage may occur. Progesterone is determined on days 22–23, at 28 menstrual cycle, it is produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary.

• the presence of hair on the beard is noted, sideburns begin to grow, and the chest is covered with hair;
• fast fatiguability, sudden changes mood;
• changes in the menstrual cycle;
• hair loss or fragility;
• dry mouth, frequent urination, psoriasis.

The period of change also depends on the age of the female half of humanity. For teenagers alarm bell– this is the absence of menstruation, poor breast development, excessive thinness.

After 40 years, women experience disruptions due to the onset of menopause. If there are painful manifestations, headaches, chest pain, hot flashes, insomnia. This is the first reason that obliges you to see a doctor.

You should never ignore your health problems. Timely diagnosis health and treatment is the key good condition body. To prevent problems, you need to carefully monitor your health and undergo a medical examination on time. This will save a person from serious troubles that arise from hormonal imbalance.

Hormonal regulation ensures consistency internal environment body and quick response to unfavorable external influences. Thus, due to rapid changes in hormonal levels, all the body’s forces are mobilized under stress factors. And this same system provides rest and restoration of expended energy.

Thanks to genetically programmed changes in hormonal levels, growth, development and maturation of the body occurs. A gradual decrease in the level of hormones in the blood leads to aging. The most complex changes in hormonal levels in a woman’s body provide the possibility of the birth of a new life, normal childbearing, childbirth and the process of lactation.

Most hormones are produced in specialized organs - endocrine glands. These glands received this name because they secrete their product inside - directly into the blood.

Endocrine glands obey central complex neuroendocrine regulation, the so-called hypothalamic-pituitary system, located in the brain.

Features of preparation for taking a hormonal analysis: one day before, it is necessary to exclude sexual contact and thermal procedures (sauna, bathhouse).

Human chorionic gonadotropin
Human chorionic gonadotropin is a specific pregnancy hormone, which is similar in action to gonadotropins (LH and FSH).

Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone corpus luteum ovary, formed after the release of a mature egg from the follicle. This hormone is necessary for the flow normal pregnancy, therefore its concentration increases throughout gestation.

Outside of pregnancy, progesterone levels begin to increase immediately before ovulation, and reach a maximum in the middle of the luteal phase of the cycle (the interval between the release of the egg and the beginning of the next menstruation - days 14-28 of the cycle).

Hormonal analysis blood test for progesterone is given on the 22-23rd day of the cycle in the morning, on an empty stomach.

Estradiol
Estradiol is the most active female sex hormone, which is produced in the ovaries, placenta and adrenal cortex under the influence of gonadotropic hormones of the pituitary gland.

A hormonal test for estradiol is taken on the 6-7th day of the cycle in the morning, on an empty stomach.

Estriol
Estriol is a female sex hormone, which is called the main estrogen of pregnancy. When taking a hormonal test for estradiol, it should be taken into account that taking antibiotics and some other medications can significantly reduce the concentration of estriol in the blood.

Testosterone
Testosterone is the main one male hormone, causing the development of secondary sexual characteristics, puberty and reproductive function.

In men, most of the testosterone is produced in the testicle, and less in the adrenal cortex. In women, testosterone is partially formed during the transformation process from other steroids, as well as in the cells of the inner lining of the follicle and the reticular layer of the adrenal glands.

Hormonal tests for amenorrhea

There are primary and secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is when a woman has never menstruated, secondary is when monthly cycle was present and then stopped.

It should be noted that in both primary and secondary amenorrhea, first of all, it is necessary to do a pregnancy test (determine the level of hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) in the blood).

Primary amenorrhea
Primary amenorrhea can be caused by a number of reasons, such as congenital anomalies(including chromosomal), infectious or immune damage to the ovaries, adrenal tumors, pathologies of the pituitary-hypothalamic system. Depending on the characteristics of hormonal imbalance, there are four groups of primary amenorrhea:
1. Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.
2. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
3. Eugonadotropic hypogonadism.
4. Hyperandrogenemia.

Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (increased levels of pituitary stimulating hormones with decreased levels of ovarian hormones) indicates ovarian pathology, which may be the result of primary agenesis (underdevelopment) of the ovaries or Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome. This is a chromosomal pathology in which the set of chromosomes (karyotype) is missing one sex chromosome (karyotype X0).

With hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, there is an increase in the secretion of gonadotropins FSH (the level of follicle-stimulating hormone is especially increased in Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome) and LH (luteinizing hormone). Stimulation test with hCG ( human chorionic gonadotropin) is negative.

To verify Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome, it is necessary to conduct a karyotype study. In addition, it is recommended to do hormonal tests that determine the level of testosterone (male sex hormone) and cortisol (adrenal cortex hormone) in the blood.

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (simultaneous decrease in the level of stimulating hormones of the pituitary gland and ovarian hormones) indicates damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary system. To determine the level of damage, a stimulation test with GnRH (gonadotropic-releasing hormone) is performed. If, in response to stimulation, the level of the hormone in the blood increases, then we can conclude that the cause of the pathology lies in insufficient allocation releasing factors by hypothalamic cells. If the stimulation test is negative, then the cause of ovarian hypofunction is pathology of the pituitary gland.

Eugonadotropic hypogonadism (reduced level of ovarian hormones with normal concentration of gonadotropins in the blood). Occurs with anatomical defects, testicular feminization syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome.

With anatomical defects leading to amenorrhea, the hormonal status is usually normal.

Thus, with the onset of placental insufficiency, the level of hCG and progesterones decreases, and with the development chronic failure placenta, when fetal suffering is expressed, a decrease in estrogen levels also occurs.

During a frozen pregnancy, it occurs a sharp decline concentrations of hCG and estrogen (100% below the average norm).

An increase in hCG levels is also very important sign, which may indicate a multiple pregnancy or incorrect determination of gestational age. In addition, the level of hCG increases in pathological conditions such as early and late toxicosis of pregnancy, maternal diabetes, multiple fetal malformations, and Down syndrome.

Fetal malformations may also be indicated by a reduced level of estradiol, which is observed with anencephaly, intrauterine infection, fetal adrenal hypoplasia, Down syndrome.

Hormonal blood tests for thyroid pathology

Since thyroid hormones are necessary for the normal functioning of all cells of the body without exception, diseases of the organ have systemic manifestations(the central nervous activity, vegetative-vascular reactions are disrupted, dystrophic processes occur in the myocardium, and the coordinated activity of the entire endocrine system of the body is disrupted).

Hormonal tests for suspected thyroid pathology

• a sharp decrease in body weight;
• exophthalmos (bulging eyes);
• goiter (severe enlargement of the gland).

• bradycardia;
• myxedema (mucoedema);
• endophthalmos (sunk eyes);
• hypothermia.

• amenorrhea;
• infertility;
• depression;
• cardiac arrhythmias;
• mental retardation and physical development in children.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

The production of TSH is characterized by pronounced daily fluctuations with a maximum at 2-4 a.m. and a minimum at 17-18 p.m. This rhythm gets lost during night vigils.

TSH concentrations physiologically increase during pregnancy and with age (in the latter case- insignificant).

The production of TSH is inhibited by thyroid hormones, therefore, when the level of fractions of its hormones increases, the concentration of TSH decreases, and when the gland is hypofunction, it increases.

Fractions of hormones synthesized by the thyroid gland

All fractions are subject to seasonal and diurnal rhythms. A physiological decrease in the level of thyroid hormones is observed after the age of 65 years, an increase during pregnancy, as well as during rapid rise body weight.

An increase in the level of thyroid hormone fractions may indicate its hyperfunction, or the presence of other diseases (hepatitis, nephrotic syndrome, HIV infection, increased content estrogen).

In addition to hypothyroidism, a decrease in thyroid hormone levels is observed in the following cases:

• low protein diet or fasting;
• adrenal insufficiency;
• severe general exhaustion of the body;
• chronic liver diseases.

The concentration of total T4 has pronounced daily fluctuations with a maximum occurring between 8 and 12 o'clock in the afternoon, and a minimum between 23 and 3 o'clock at night.

Free thyroxine
Free thyroxine (free T4) is the fraction of T4 not bound to proteins. In women the concentration free thyroxine lower than in men, and increases during pregnancy, reaching a maximum in the last trimester.

Triiodothyronine total
Total triiodothyronine (T3 total) is formed in the thyroid gland from T4, and has the same effect, but is 4-5 times more active than its predecessor. This hormone is characterized by seasonal fluctuations: its maximum level is found in the blood from September to February, the minimum in summer.

Free triiodothyronine
Concentration free triiodothyronine(Free T3) is the fraction of triiodothyronine in the blood that is not bound to proteins. Free T3 levels physiologically decrease in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Hormones of the adrenal cortex. Symptoms indicating cortical pathology
adrenal glands

Biological action of adrenal hormones

Glucocorticoids are the most important hormones adrenal cortex and, as the name implies, regulate glucose metabolism, having an effect opposite to insulin. They help increase blood glucose levels, causing its synthesis and reducing its uptake by peripheral tissues. So, with an increase in the concentration of glucocorticoids, so-called steroid diabetes develops.

In addition, glucocorticoids are involved in protecting the body from stress and shock and have a powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect.

Mineralocorticoids regulate water-salt metabolism, helping to maintain blood pressure and retain water, sodium and chlorine in the body. With an increase in the concentration of mineralocorticoids in the body, hypertension and edema syndrome develop.

Adrenal androgens are secreted in small quantities, so their effect becomes noticeable only in the case of pathology (masculinization of women with tumors of the adrenal cortex, etc.).

All hormones of the adrenal cortex are secreted under the influence of the hormone of the anterior pituitary gland - ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). In this case, regulation occurs according to the type feedback: with a decrease in the production of hormones from the adrenal cortex, the secretion of ACTH increases - and vice versa.

Clinical manifestations of hormonal imbalance requiring analysis
level of adrenal hormones in the blood

• growing muscle weakness, constant feeling fatigue;
• decreased blood pressure with increased heart rate;
• irritability, tendency to depression, anxiety;
• loss of appetite and weight, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain;
• education dark spots on open areas skin;
• craving for salty foods, constant thirst;
• excess urine in the presence of symptoms of dehydration.

Less commonly, Itsenko-Cushing syndrome develops when hyperplastic processes adrenal cortex, as well as during long-term treatment medicines glucocorticoids, and has very characteristic symptoms:
alcoholism, some neuropsychiatric diseases, sometimes during pregnancy. In such cases they talk about Pseudo-Cushing syndrome, or functional hypercortisolism.

We take hormonal tests if we suspect cortical pathology
adrenal glands

Adrenocotricotropic hormone (ACTH)

Increased levels occur with primary adrenal insufficiency, as well as with tumors that produce ACTH.

A decrease in the level of ACTH is observed with insufficiency of its production by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, as well as with hormone-producing tumors of the adrenal cortex (inhibition of synthesis according to the feedback principle).

Cortisol

It should be remembered that during pregnancy there is a physiological increase in the concentration of cortisol levels in the blood.

Aldosterone

A physiological increase in aldosterone levels is observed during pregnancy, salt-free diet, increased water and physical activity.

Violations endocrine system are pathological conditions, occurring as a result of improper activity of the endocrine glands or endocrine glands, releasing the substances they produce (hormones) directly into the blood or lymph. Endocrine glands include:

• thyroid and parathyroid glands;

  adrenal glands and glands with mixed function;

  gonads;

  pancreas.

Main role endocrine glands in the body is expressed in their influence on the processes of metabolism, growth, physical and sexual development. Disruption of the endocrine system leads to various violations vital activity of the body. At the core endocrine disorders lies either an excessive increase or decrease in the functions of a particular gland.

Pituitary is considered the center of regulation of the endocrine system, since it produces hormones that specifically stimulate the growth, differentiation and functional activity of certain endocrine glands.

Violation complex functions pituitary gland leads to the development of a number of pituitary disorders: excessive function of the anterior pituitary gland causes acromegaly. Decreased function of the anterior lobe pituitary gland may cause:

Obesity;

dwarf stature;

severe exhaustion;

atrophy of the gonads;

Decreased function of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland provokes the development Not diabetes mellitus . The patient has copious discharge urine and strong thirst.

Increased function of the thyroid gland is manifested in an increase in its volume. The following violations occur:

Increased heart rate;

emaciation;

• sweating;

  neuropsychic excitability.

With a pronounced increase in thyroid function, protrusion is observed eyeballs or bulging eyes.

Decreased thyroid function is accompanied by a shrinkage of the thyroid gland, slow heart rate, and sunken eyeballs. There is a tendency towards obesity, constipation, dry skin, decreased general excitability, changes in the skin and subcutaneous tissue which become swollen. This condition is called myxedema.

Promotion adrenal functions accompanied by premature puberty (most often due to the formation of tumors). Downgrade function adrenal cortex in severe cases gives a picture of Addison's disease (bronze disease), in which characteristic dark, bronze pigmentation of the skin appears, exhaustion, and decreased blood pressure, blood sugar decreases, and the body's resistance decreases.

Increased function of the medulla I adrenal gland causes development arterial hypertension in the form of attacks. An increase in the function of the gonads is rarely observed (usually due to the development malignant tumors these glands), mostly in childhood. The gonads reach their destination prematurely full development. Decreased function of these glands leads to eunuchoidism, increased growth with disproportionate lengthening of the lower and upper limbs, tendencies towards obesity, with the distribution of fat in men according to female type and underdevelopment of the genital organs, lack of secondary hair.

Increased pancreatic function not sufficiently studied. Individual manifestations- persistent decrease in blood sugar, tendency to obesity. A decrease in the function of this gland leads to an increase in sugar levels in the blood and urine, increased urination, and a decline in nutrition (diabetes mellitus).

Regulation of endocrine glands

Regulation of the activity of the endocrine glands is carried out in egetative nerve centers interstitial brain through autonomic nerve fibers and through the pituitary gland under the control of the cerebral cortex. The nervous and endocrine systems are closely interconnected and constantly interact.

Endocrine glands provide big influence pas growth and development of the body, metabolic processes, excitability and tone of the nervous system. Features of the functioning of individual parts of the endocrine system play a large role in the formation of the body in general and its constitutional characteristics in particular.

Natural course age-related changes in the body can be sharply disrupted under the influence of disorders of internal secretion from one or more endocrine glands.

Reasons for violation endocrine system:

Primary dysfunction of peripheral endocrine glands. Various pathological processes can develop in the gland itself and lead to disruption of the formation and secretion of the corresponding hormones.

Peripheral forms endocrine disorders. The causes of peripheral endocrine disorders may be disturbances in the binding of hormones to proteins at the stage of their transport to target cells, inactivation or destruction of a circulating hormone, disturbances in the reception of hormones and their metabolism, and disturbances in permissive mechanisms.

An important place among the causes of damage to the peripheral endocrine glands is occupied by infections. Some of them (for example, tuberculosis, syphilis) can be localized in various glands, causing their gradual destruction, in other cases there is a certain selectivity of damage (for example, meningococcal sepsis is often accompanied by hemorrhage in the adrenal glands, viral parotitis often causes orchitis and testicular atrophy, and orchitis may also occur with gonorrhea).

The cause of damage to the glands and disorders of hormone formation are tumors, which can develop in any gland. The nature of endocrine disorders depends on the nature of the tumor. If the tumor originates from secretory cells, excess amounts of hormones are usually produced and a picture of hyperfunction of the gland occurs.

If the tumor does not secrete hormone, but only compresses and causes atrophy or destroys the tissue of the gland, its progressive hypofunction develops. Often tumors are metastatic in nature. In some cases endocrine gland tumors produce hormones that are not characteristic of this gland, it is also possible ectopic foci formation of hormones in tumors of non-endocrine organs.

Endocrine system disorders may be due birth defects development of glands or their atrophy. The latter is called for various reasons, namely:

Sclerotic process;

chronic inflammation;

age-related involution;

hormonally active tumor of the paired gland;

long-term treatment;

exogenous hormones.

Damage and atrophy of the gland are sometimes caused by automune processes(for some forms of diabetes, diseases of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland).

The formation of hormones is disrupted due to hereditary defects in the enzymes necessary for their synthesis, or inactivation of enzymes. In this way some forms arise corticogenital syndrome, endemic cretinism and others endocrine diseases. It is also possible to form in the gland abnormal forms hormones. Such hormones have inferior activity or are completely devoid of it. In some cases, the intraglandular conversion of prohormone into hormone is disrupted, and therefore its inactive forms are released into the blood.

The cause of disturbances in the biosynthesis of hormones can be a deficiency of specific substrates included in their composition (for example, iodine, necessary for the formation of thyroid hormones).

One of the causes of endocrine disorders is the depletion of hormone biosynthesis as a result of prolonged stimulation of the gland and its hyperfunction. In this way, some forms of pancreatic islet beta cell failure occur, stimulated by prolonged hyperglycemia.

Increased attention is paid to antireceptor antibodies. It is believed that the mechanisms of production of antireceptor antibodies may be associated with certain features of the immune system itself.

Hormonal disorders

The formation of antibodies may be caused by viral infection; it is assumed that in such cases the virus binds to a hormonal receptor on the cell surface and provokes the formation of antireceptor antibodies. One form of deficiency hormonal effects may be associated with a violation of the permissive action of hormones.

Flaw cortisol, which has a powerful and versatile permissive effect on catecholamines, sharply weakens the glycogenolytic, lipolytic effects of adrenaline, the pressor effect and some other effects of catecholamines. With absence required quantities thyroid hormones cannot normally realize the effect of somatotropic hormone on early stages development of the body.

Endocrinopathies may arise as a result of a violation hormone metabolism. A significant part of hormones is destroyed in the liver, and with its lesions (hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.), signs of endocrine disorders are often observed. It is also possible excessive activity enzymes involved in hormone metabolism.

Moreover, these disorders are not always based on insufficient or excessive production of the corresponding hormones, but always on the inadequacy of their peripheral effects in target cells, leading to a complex interweaving of metabolic, structural and functional disorders. An endocrinologist will help you understand the causes of the disorder and also select the right treatment.