Endocrinology & Disorders

Pediatric endocrinology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the endocrine system in children. The endocrineEndocrine system creates and controls child’s hormones which help regulate everything from their body temperature to their mood, growth and development. Endocrine glands such as pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal gland secret hormones. Any imbalance in the child’s hormones can cause serious problems. The most common endocrine disorders are related to the pancreas or the pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal glands which includes diabetes, thyroid disorders, early onset of puberty, delayed puberty, growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, tumors.

All organs that secrete hormones or hormone-like substances are considered part of the endocrine system. For example, the kidneys produce the hormone renin, which functions as an enzyme to help control blood pressure, and the hormone erythropoietin to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. In addition, the digestive tract produces a variety of hormones that control digestion, affect insulin secretion from the pancreas, and alter behaviors, such as those associated with hunger. Fat (adipose) tissue also produces hormones that regulate metabolism (how the body uses foods to control chemical processes in the body) and appetite. Endocrine glands release their hormones directly, into the bloodstream, Exocrine glands release hormones or other substances into a duct, Hypothalamus, Pituitary gland,Thyroid gland,Testes in men, and the ovaries in women.

The hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is released in a pulsatile fashion every 60 to 120 minutes. Its target organ, the anterior pituitary gland, responds to each pulse of GnRH by producing a corresponding pulse of luteinizing hormone (LH) and, to a lesser degree, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). If the GnRH pulses do not occur with the proper amplitude, frequency, and diurnal variation, hypogonadism may result (idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism). Continuous (as opposed to pulsatile) stimulation by GnRH agonists (eg, as a treatment for advanced prostate cancer) actually suppresses pituitary release of LH and FSH and thus testosterone production. Testosterone is synthesized from cholesterol through several intermediate compounds, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione. Circulating testosterone is mostly protein bound, about 40% avidly bound to sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) and 58% loosely bound to albumin.

Hormonal interaction between the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, and ovaries regulates the female reproductive system. The hypothalamus secretes a small peptide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), also known as luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone.  GnRH regulates release of the gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from specialized cells (gonadotropes) in the anterior pituitary gland (see figure The CNS-hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal target organ axis). These hormones are released in short bursts (pulses) every 1 to 4 hours. LH and FSH promote ovulation and stimulate secretion of the sex hormones estradiol (an estrogen) and progesterone from the ovaries. Estrogen and progesterone circulate in the bloodstream almost entirely bound to plasma proteins. Only unbound estrogen and progesterone appear to be biologically active. They stimulate the target organs of the reproductive system (eg, uterus, vagina), and the breasts.

As we know throughout human history, there have been people who were transgender, individuals whose gender identity and expression differ from the sex they appear to be at birth. Some cultures accepted these differences, whereas others violently opposed them. The current world culture is in the middle of a sea change with regard to gender. And although there is still open hostility in some sectors, in many places, there is an increased openness toward people who are transgender. Transgender is also an umbrella term: in addition to including those people whose gender identity is the opposite of their assigned sex after birth, it may include people who are not exclusively masculine or feminine.

Stem Cells investigation in Endocrinology, leading stem cell scientists and developmental endocrinologists, critically review both cutting-edge approaches to stem cell biology and the application of stem cells to endocrine diseases, including diabetes, tissue/organ repairs, energy metabolism and metabolic disorders. Current research trends in Endocrinology are direct to modify stem cells, develop an endocrine-like cell, and use adult mesenchymal stem cells to treat autoimmune diseases, including endocrine-based autoimmune diseases. During recent years, along with advances in the biomedical sciences, various surgical and non-surgical therapeutic methods have been suggested to promote wound healing, and growth factors involved in these processes are currently widely investigated, including epidermal growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, fibroblast growth factor, platelet concentrates and erythropoietin, which could facilitate wound healing of patients with diabetes.

The Endocrine Tumor Genetics Program helps to identify and provide comprehensive, coordinated medical care for families that have a hereditary risk for endocrine tumors. Our program is a collaboration between the Center for Cancer Risk Assessment (CCRA) and Thyroid Associates at Massachusetts General Hospital, and includes specialists in both endocrinology and genetics. Patients with pathogenic variants in hereditary endocrine tumor genes are managed comprehensively with our team of endocrinologists and genetic counselors. We also provide risk assessment for patients interested in an evaluation for hereditary endocrine tumors. During the initial genetics consultation, family history is carefully reviewed. If your personal or family history suggests a possible genetic risk, we will discuss the option of genetic.

Endocrine surgery refers to surgery performed over Endocrine glands. It is a specialized branch of surgery that focuses on treatment of endocrine diseases. Some of the major endocrine diseases are thyroid cancer, grave’s disease, pancreatic cancer, etc. The endocrine glands secrete hormones that are very essential for our growth, metabolism, development and many such essential functions. Human body has eight endocrine glands. Though surgeries take place for all the eight a majority of the surgeries usually happen for the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenaline glands and pancreas. The surgery process of each of these glands is quite different from the others. This is primarily due to the fact that all these glands are located in very different areas of the body. Since hormonal imbalance can lead to very severe problems and hence endocrine surgeries are very vital for saving a person’s life. Mostly the surgeries involve removal of tumors or partial or complete removal of the glands. The risk involved in the surgery varies according to which glands surgery is being done.

Genomic endocrinology is explained as the knowledge that can be gained about endocrine physiology and pathology from the application of a full range of genetic approaches. Genetic mechanisms lead to endocrine diseases and functional studies of genetic mutations that bring new insights into the pathogenesis and etiology of endocrine disorders.

Obesity is a complex disease that is associated with a number of comorbidities, exaggerated mortality and reduced quality of life. With the rise in obesity among the older adult population, the cost burden is predicted to increase substantially: the combined medical costs associated with treatment of obesity-related diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes in the US alone have been estimated to increase by $48-66 billion/year from 2010 through 2030 according to Endocrine Facts and Figures. In a 2011 study of 300 Filipino-Americans, representative of the second largest Asian subgroup in the United States, a modified definition of MeetS was used to take account of the ethnic-specific body structure: elevated waist circumference was outlined as 88 cm in women and 90 cm in men. In participants 35 to 75 years of age, 18.3% of the participants (21.1% of males and 15.7% of females) met the threshold for MeetS. The prevalence of MetS was significantly less than the NHANES values for 2009-2010.

Thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism) arguably represents the most common form of endocrine disorder. Together with adrenal insufficiency, these disease states are often manifested with protean symptoms, such as fatigue and weakness, making them a diagnostic challenge. In their advanced states, classic manifestations develop, rendering each disorder more recognizable. Each disorder is also capable of producing life-threatening symptoms when it is untreated or precipitated by other stressors. For patient outcomes to be improved, prompt recognition and therapeutic intervention are critical.

Treatments for endocrine disorders vary depending on the disorder and the patient’s medical history. For endocrine orders that are related to tumor growth, surgery may be a potential treatment. Other endocrine issues may be treated in the following ways: Hormone suppression. Overactive glands that can result in gigantism, hyperthyroidism, Cushings disease, and the link, can be managed through the administration of prescription medication. Those suffering from these types of endocrine disorders will need to be on a structured health care plan for the rest of their lives but are able to maintain a semblance of normalcy and a high quality of life. Hormone replacement therapy. Endocrine disorders that cause a lack of hormone release can be managed through hormone replacement therapies. UCF Health employs a team of experts who specialize in diagnosing and treating adrenal disorders.

Many stem cell treatments are unproven and still experimental.. In recent years, there have been many “stem cell clinics,” both in the United States and around the world, that offer various “stem cell treatments” that are not scientifically proven and not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These clinics mostly claim to use stem cells from one’s own body fat, bone marrow, and blood, although some use cells from amniotic fluid, placental tissue, umbilical cord tissue, and even unknown sources of cells from other donors. It is unknown whether the cells used are actually stem cells. These clinics tend to engage in false marketing to the public, with promises that stem cell treatments can improve cosmetic appearance as well as help a variety of conditions ranging from arthritis to autism.

The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and release hormones that help control many important body functions, including the body's ability to change calories into energy that powers cells and organs. The endocrine system influences how your heart beats, how your bones and tissues grow, even your ability to make a baby. It plays a vital role in whether or not you develop diabetes, thyroid disease, growth disorders, sexual dysfunction, and a host of other hormone-related disorders.