General Endocrinology

Overview:

A goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, located at the front of the neck. While goiters can occur in people with normal thyroid function, they may also be associated with various thyroid conditions, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroiditis. Goiters can vary in size and may be visible or palpable as a swelling at the base of the neck.

Overview:

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to chronic inflammation and eventual thyroid hormone deficiency. It’s the most common cause of hypothyroidism in children and adults in iodine-sufficient areas.

Overview:

Hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid, develops when the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormone, which accelerates the body’s metabolism. While several conditions can lead to hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease and thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis) are the most common.

Overview:

Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of this condition. Other potential causes include iodine deficiency, medications, and thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation).

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Thyroid cancer consists of an abnormal growth and division of cells in the thyroid gland, located below the Adam’s apple. The four types of thyroid cancer include papillary (most common and least aggressive), follicular, medullary, and anaplastic (rarest and most aggressive).

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Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within the thyroid gland, located on the neck below the Adam’s apple. They are mostly benign (non-cancerous) and quite common, especially in adults.

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Hypercalcemia is a condition where the amount of calcium in the blood is above normal levels. While calcium plays a vital role in functions like building strong bones, transmitting nerve signals, and helping muscles contract, having too much in the blood can lead to health problems.

Overview:

Hyperparathyroidism is a condition in which the parathyroid glands, pea-sized glands located at the bottom of the neck, create excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the bloodstream. This condition can be categorized as primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism.

With primary hyperparathyroidism, the overproduction of PTH typically stems from a benign tumor (adenoma). With secondary hyperparathyroidism, it’s typically in response to chronic kidney disease, or low calcium or vitamin D levels.

Overview:

Hypocalcemia is a condition in which there are low levels of calcium in the blood, resulting in potentially serious health complications. Hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, and chronic kidney disease are some of the common causes.

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Hypoparathyroidism is a rare condition in which the parathyroid glands produce too little parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH is necessary for regulating the body’s levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D.

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Acromegaly is an uncommon disorder in adults, marked by excessive growth of bones, organs, and other tissues. It is caused by the overproduction of growth hormone, typically due to a noncancerous tumor in the pituitary gland, a small gland located in the brain.

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Addison’s disease is an uncommon, long-term condition where the adrenal glands produce an insufficient amount of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. It’s commonly triggered by an autoimmune response.

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Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal condition that occurs when the body is exposed to elevated levels of cortisol, a steroid hormone, over an extended period. Cortisol plays a vital role in regulating metabolism and managing stress, but excessive amounts can cause significant health problems. Long-term use of corticosteroid medication is the most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome, but it can be caused by internal conditions as well.

Overview:

Ella Sella Syndrome (ESS) is a rare condition in which the pituitary gland shrinks or flattens as a result of issues with the bony structure at the base of the brain, called the sella turcica. As a result, the structure becomes filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The exact cause of ESS is unknown.

Overview:

Hypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland fails to produce enough of one or more of the eight hormones in the body or doesn’t make any at all. The pituitary gland regulates essential body functions by controlling other hormone-producing glands. Pituitary tumors are the most common cause of this condition.

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Pheochromocytoma is an uncommon, yet treatable tumor that develops in the center of the adrenal gland. While it’s usually noncancerous (benign), it can occasionally be malignant (cancerous).

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High cholesterol (also known as hyperlipidemia) develops as the result of excessive lipids (fats) in the blood. Numerous factors can cause this condition, including hypothyroidism, a hormone imbalance.

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Hormonal weight gain occurs when hormone levels shift and affect how the body processes food and stores fat. This weight gain is often unexpected and uncontrollable. Menopause, Cushing’s syndrome, and hypothyroidism are all possible causes.

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Hypogonadism is a medical condition where the gonads—testes in males or ovaries in females—fail to produce enough sex hormones (such as testosterone or estrogen), produce impaired gametes (sperm or eggs), or both. This condition can impact fertility, bone health, and sexual function.