Endocrine System and Syndromes
Table of Endocrine Glands
This table includes a listing of endocrine glands, the hormones they produce, and the diseases and conditions associated with their improper function.
Endocrine Gland Location/ Description Hormones Gland Produces Gland/ Hormone Function Examples of Disorders Associated with Improper Function
Hypothalamus Lower middle of the brain
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH
Communicates with both nervous and endocrine systems; Stimulates (GHRH, TRH, CRH, GnRH) or inhibits (PIF) hormone production in the pituitary
Precocious puberty (early GnRH production); Kallman syndrome (inadequate GnRH production);Thyroid diseases
Oxytocin Uterine contraction during labor
Arginine vasopressin (AVP), also called antidiurectic hormone (ADH) Water balance Diabetes insipidus (inadequate AVP production)
Pituitary Below hypothalamus, behind sinus cavity Prolactin Milk production Hypopituitarism
Growth Hormone (GH) Bone growth
Acromegaly or Gigantism (excess GH)
ACTH Stimulates cortisol Cushing's disease (excess ACTH)
TSH Stimulates thyroid hormone Hyper/hypothyroidism
LH , FSH Regulation of testosterone and estrogen, fertility Loss of menstrual periodInfertility
Thyroid Butterfly-shaped; lies flat against windpipe in the throat T4 T3 (triiodothyronine)Helps regulate the rate of metabolism Thyroid diseases (including hypo and hyperthyroidism)
Calcitonin Helps regulate bone status, blood calcium
Parathyroid 4 tiny glands located behind, next to, or below the thyroid Parathyroid hormone (PTH) Regulates blood calcium Hyperparathyroidism
Adrenal 2 triangular organs, on top of each kidney Epinephrine (adrenaline) Blood pressure regulation, stress reaction Pheochromocytoma (MEN2)
Aldosterone Salt, water balance Conn's Syndrome
Cortisol Stress reaction Cushing's Syndrome Addison's Disease
DHEA-S Body hair development at puberty Cancer
Ovaries (females only) 2, located in the pelvis Estrogen Progesterone Female sexual characteristics Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Testes (males only) 2, located in the groin Testosterone Male sexual characteristics Hypogonadism
Pancreas Large, gourd-shaped gland, located behind the stomach Insulin Glucose regulation Diabetes mellitus
Pineal Lower side of the brain Melatonin
Not well understood;
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Tests:
ACTH ,
Cortisol ,
Aldosterone ,
Calcitonin ,
Calcium ,
Catecholamines, Plasma and Urine ,
DHEAS ,
Electrolytes ,
Estrogen ,
FSH ,
GH ,
hCG ,
IGF-1 ,
LH ,
Metanephrines, Plasma Free ,
Metanephrines, Urine ,
Progesterone ,
Prolactin ,
PTH ,
T3 ,
T4 ,
Testosterone ,
TSH Conditions:
Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison's Disease ,
Cushing’s Syndrome ,
Conn’s Syndrome ,
Thyroid Diseases ,
PCOS Elsewhere On The Web
This article was last reviewed on March 30, 2009.
last modified on April 8, 2009.
The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
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