What Diseases are Caused by the Endocrine System?

Endocrine System Diseases: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Endocrine disorders affect your body’s endocrine system, which comprises the pituitary gland, pancreas, thyroid gland, and others. Overall, the endocrine system is responsible for producing and transmitting hormones that help execute numerous bodily functions.

Many diseases can eventually arise related to a person’s endocrine system that lead to hormonal imbalance and affect the involved tissues. Continue reading to discover more about these issues.

Common Types of Endocrine Disorders

Some of the major diseases arising from endocrine glands are as follows:

1. Diabetes : Diabetes can stem from either the pancreas not producing enough insulin (Type 1) or the body becoming resistant to insulin (Type 2), which results in elevated blood sugar levels. Doctors normally manage the condition through insulin injections, oral medications, and recommending a few lifestyle adjustments. If diabetes goes unchecked for a long time, it can lead to serious issues like heart disease, kidney problems, and nerve damage.
2. Menopause : As women age, there is a natural drop in oestrogen and progesterone levels, which gradually leads to the end of menstruation. This transition can bring on symptoms like hot flashes and a decrease in bone density. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help ease these symptoms, it is important to be aware of the potential cardiovascular risks involved.
3. Addison’s Disease : This condition can arise from damage to the adrenal glands, often due to autoimmune issues, which results in lower levels of cortisol and aldosterone. People with Addison’s may experience fatigue, weight loss, and low blood pressure. The treatment typically involves lifelong corticosteroid replacement to manage the related symptoms.
4. Cushing’s Disease : Cushing’s disease occurs when there is an excess of cortisol, usually due to pituitary tumours or steroid use. Common symptoms include weight gain and hypertension. Treatment options can include removing the tumour, prescribed medications, or radiation therapy.
5. Hyperthyroidism/Hypothyroidism :Hyperthyroidism is a peculiar condition where a person’s thyroid gland is overactive, often due to Graves’ disease or nodules. Those affected may notice a rapid heartbeat and weight loss. Treatment can involve antithyroid medications, radioiodine therapy, or even surgery. On the flip side, hypothyroidism is when the thyroid is underactive. Symptoms in this case include fatigue and weight gain, and it is usually managed with synthetic thyroid hormones like levothyroxine.
6. Hashimoto Thyroiditis : Hashimoto Thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that leads to the destruction of thyroid tissue, resulting in hypothyroidism. This condition requires lifelong hormone replacement, and chronic inflammation can sometimes cause the thyroid to enlarge.
7. Prolactinoma : Prolactinoma gives rise to a benign tumour on the pituitary gland that produces too much prolactin. This can lead to infertility and irregular menstrual cycles. Treatment often involves dopamine agonists like cabergoline or, in some cases, surgery.
8. Cancers of the Endocrine Glands : Finally, the thyroid, adrenal glands, or pituitary gland may develop cancerous tissues, disrupting the balance of hormones. Treatment options vary widely and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. The prognosis can differ significantly, but thyroid cancer, for instance, tends to have high cure rates.

What are the treatments for endocrinology-related issues?

Getting appropriate suggestions from an endocrinologist plays a big role in helping people with disorders recover their health and happiness. Treatment plans tend to vary based on individual cases and sometimes may even require surgical procedures.

A few common treatment methods include:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy: HRT means adding hormones to the chemical balance of the body. Women experiencing menopause may feel better by including therapy supplying oestrogen and progesterone to lessen symptoms of hot flashes and mood changes.
• Thyroid Hormone: Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone used as a treatment for hypothyroidism, helping to make up for the hormone that the body lacks and fix metabolism.
• Insulin Therapy: People with diabetes have to rely on oral medications or insulin injections when their bodies do not make enough insulin.
• Corticosteroid Therapy: Corticosteroid drugs are often prescribed for adrenal insufficiency to correct the problem and reduce symptoms.
• Hormone-production Medications: Certain hormones are stopped from being released with the help of hormone-production medications. For instance, medical experts suggest giving anti-androgen drugs to patients with PCOS to help them reduce abnormally high testosterone levels.
• Lifestyle Changes: Altering your habits and what you eat is another effective way to handle hormone imbalances. For example, a good way to regulate cortisol and insulin is to reduce stress and perform exercises more regularly.
• Surgical Procedure: For severe cases, surgery is done to remove tumours or overactive glands if a person has hyperthyroidism or tumours in the adrenal gland.

Managing endocrine disorders at the highest level demands repeated specialist visits, top-notch drug therapies, a wide range of treatments, frequent lab tests, and more. To minimise the financial burden, it is highly suggested to purchase the right health insurance plan.

At Star Health, you can receive unmatched health coverage for yourself and your family with premiums as low as ₹13 per day. So, you can compare the plans and choose an appropriate coverage policy to protect your loved ones.