ENDOCRINE SYSTEM – STUDY o Increases protein

NOTES synthesis, fat breakdown,

and blood glucose

o Excess → Gigantism
PITUITARY GLAND (children), Acromegaly
(adults)
Posterior Pituitary (Stores &
Releases) • Prolactin:

• Antidiuretic Hormone o Stimulates milk production

(ADH/Vasopressin): post-childbirth

o Promotes water • Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

reabsorption in kidneys (TSH):

o Concentrates urine, helps o Stimulates the thyroid

maintain blood pressure gland to release T3 and T4

o Overproduction → SIADH • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

(ACTH):
o Underproduction →
Diabetes Insipidus o Stimulates adrenal cortex
to produce cortisol
• Oxytocin:
• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
o Stimulates uterine muscle
(FSH):
contractions during labor
o Females: Maturation of
o Initiates milk ejection (let-
ovarian follicles
down reflex) during
breastfeeding o Males: Stimulates
spermatogenesis
Anterior Pituitary
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH):
• Growth Hormone
(GH/Somatotropin): o Females: Triggers ovulation
and corpus luteum
o Promotes growth in all
formation
tissues
 o Males: Stimulates Leydig PARATHYROID GLANDS
cells to produce
testosterone • Parathyroid Hormone (PTH):

o Raises blood calcium by:

PINEAL GLAND ▪ Increasing bone

resorption
• Melatonin:
▪ Enhancing calcium
o Regulates circadian rhythm reabsorption in
kidneys
o Secretion increases in
darkness, promoting sleep ▪ Activating vitamin D
to improve calcium
absorption in
intestines
THYROID GLAND
o Decrease phosphate levels
• Triiodothyronine (T3) & Thyroxine
in blood
(T4):

o Regulate basal metabolic

rate (BMR) ADRENAL GLANDS

o Increase oxygen
Adrenal Cortex
consumption and heat
production • Glucocorticoids (Cortisol):

o Promote growth and o Responds to stress,

development increases blood glucose

• Calcitonin: o Suppresses inflammation

and immune response
o Lowers blood calcium by
promoting calcium • Mineralocorticoids
deposition in bones (Aldosterone):

o Antagonistic to parathyroid o Promotes sodium and

hormone (PTH) water reabsorption in
kidneys
 o Excretes potassium o Lowers blood glucose by
promoting glucose uptake
o Helps maintain blood and storage
pressure
o Encourages fat and protein
• Androgens: synthesis

o Support secondary sex • Delta Cells – Somatostatin:

characteristics in males
o Inhibits release of insulin,
o Contribute to libido in glucagon, and GH
females

Adrenal Medulla
GONADS
• Epinephrine & Norepinephrine
(Catecholamines): Ovaries:

o Mediate fight-or-flight • Estrogen:

response
o Regulates menstrual cycle
o Increase heart rate, blood
pressure, blood glucose o Promotes development of
secondary female sex
o Redirect blood to vital characteristics
organs (heart, muscles)
• Progesterone:

o Prepares uterus for

PANCREAS (ISLETS OF implantation
LANGERHANS)
o Supports pregnancy
• Alpha Cells – Glucagon:
Testes:
o Raises blood glucose via
• Testosterone:
glycogenolysis and
gluconeogenesis o Promotes sperm
production
• Beta Cells – Insulin:
o Responsible for male
secondary sex traits
 • Causes: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis,
iodine deficiency, surgery
MAJOR ENDOCRINE DISORDERS
• S/S: Fatigue, cold intolerance,
bradycardia, weight gain,
myxedema
PITUITARY GLAND DISORDERS
• Complication: Myxedema coma
Acromegaly
• Tx: Levothyroxine
• Cause: ↑ GH in adults
Hyperthyroidism (Grave’s Disease)
• Features: Enlarged hands, jaw,
feet, thick skin, deep voice • S/S: Heat intolerance, tachycardia,
weight loss, goiter, exophthalmos
Gigantism
• Complication: Thyroid storm (life-
• Cause: ↑ GH before puberty
threatening)
• Features: Abnormally tall stature
• Tx: Methimazole, PTU, radioactive
SIADH iodine, thyroidectomy

• Cause: ↑ ADH

• S/S: Oliguria, water retention, PARATHYROID DISORDERS

dilutional hyponatremia, cerebral
Hyperparathyroidism
edema
• Cause: Parathyroid adenoma
Diabetes Insipidus
• S/S: Hypercalcemia, kidney
• Cause: ↓ ADH
stones, bone pain, fractures
• S/S: Polyuria, polydipsia,
Hypoparathyroidism
dehydration, weight loss
• Cause: Accidental removal during
thyroidectomy
THYROID DISORDERS
• S/S: Tetany, numbness, muscle
Hypothyroidism cramps, Chvostek & Trousseau
signs
 • Tx: IV calcium gluconate, high Ca²⁺
& low phosphorus diet Type Description Risk

Autoimmune,
ADRENAL DISORDERS Type 1 insulin DKA
dependent
Pheochromocytoma
Insulin
• Tumor of adrenal medulla Type 2 HHNK
resistance
• S/S: 5 P’s – Pressure (HTN),
Palpitations, Pain (headache), Pre-
Perspiration, Pallor During
Gestational eclampsia,
pregnancy
macrosomia
• Tx: Adrenalectomy,
antihypertensives
Classic Symptoms (3 P's):
Cushing’s Syndrome
• Polyuria: Excessive urination
• Cause: ↑ cortisol (steroids or
tumor) • Polydipsia: Excessive thirst

• S/S: Moon face, buffalo hump, • Polyphagia: Excessive hunger

truncal obesity, striae, HTN,
Other Symptoms:
hyperglycemia
• Fatigue, vision changes, slow
Addison’s Disease
wound healing, infections
• Cause: ↓ cortisol/aldosterone
Diagnostics:
• S/S: Bronze skin, fatigue,
• FBS, RBS, OGTT, HgbA1c, urine
hypotension, hyponatremia,
glucose/ketones
hyperkalemia

DIABETIC EMERGENCIES
DIABETES MELLITUS
DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)
Types:
• Hyperglycemia >300 mg/dL
 • Ketosis, fruity breath, Kussmaul Foot Care Tips:
breathing
• Wash feet daily
• Tx: IV insulin, fluids, potassium
replacement • Dry well, especially between toes

HHNK • Trim nails straight

• Severe hyperglycemia >600 mg/dL • Moisturize, avoid barefoot walking

without ketosis

• Tx: IV insulin, hydration

Hypoglycemia

• Causes: Skipping meals, exercise,

insulin overdose

• S/S: Sweating, shakiness,

confusion

• Tx: 15g carbs or glucagon if

unconscious

DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS

Complication Description Management

Nerve Gabapentin,
Neuropathy
damage Imipramine

Kidney BP & glucose

Nephropathy
damage control

Eye exams,
Retinopathy Vision loss
BP control