Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders Sourcebook, Fifth Edition

In the United States, the most common endocrine disease is diabetes. The endocrine system includes the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands, the pancreas, and the ovaries and testes. These glands secrete hormones that regulate metabolism, the process that supplies the body’s cells with energy. Abnormal levels of hormones, whether too high or too low, disrupt normal functioning and compromise health. Sometimes the symptoms of dysfunctioning appear so gradually that they are hardly noticed. Hypothyroidism, for example, can remain undetected for years.  

Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders Sourcebook, Fifth Edition provides updated information about the endocrine system and its role in the regulation of human growth, organ function, and metabolic control. Readers will learn about growth disorders, hypothyroidism, pancreatic and diabetic disorders, Addison disease, Cushing syndrome, pheochromocytoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, and inborn errors of metabolism. It gives information about disorders in the ovaries and testes. It includes facts about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. A glossary of terms and directory of resources provide additional help and information.

Part One: Endocrine Functioning and Metabolism describes the endocrine system, the various endocrine glands, and their hormones, and the processes of metabolism, along with biological pathways and energy balance. It also describes chemicals that disrupt the endocrine process, along with diagnostic tests and procedures for endocrine and metabolic disorders. Individual chapters explain prenatal tests, newborn screening, genetic counseling, and chromosomal abnormalities.

Part Two: The Pituitary Gland and Growth Disorders discuss common growth disorders in children, growth hormone deficiency in adults, and the growth hormone evaluation process and therapy. It also describes pituitary tumors, prolactinomas, and other diseases related to the pituitary gland, including Cushing disease, acromegaly, and diabetes insipidus. 

Part Three: Thyroid and Parathyroid Gland Disorders offers facts about proper thyroid functioning and common dysfunctions, including Hashimoto thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves disease, and congenital hypothyroidism. It also describes disorders of the parathyroid glands and discusses thyroid and parathyroid cancers. 

Part Four: Adrenal Gland Disorders provides facts about diseases of adrenal insufficiency, including Addison disease, Cushing syndrome, and pheochromocytoma, along with information about adrenal gland cancer, X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenital, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The management of adrenal insufficiency and the use of laparoscopic techniques for adrenal gland removal is also described. 

Part Five: Pancreatic and Diabetic Disorders provides information about pancreas function tests and the management of pancreatitis, insulin resistance and prediabetes, diabetes mellitus, and hypoglycemia. Facts about pancreatic and islet cell cancer and Zollinger–Ellison syndrome are also included. 

Part Six: Disorders of the Ovaries and Testes describes problems that result when the sex gland hormone production is not balanced. These include hypogonadism, gynecomastia, menstrual problems, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian failure, and disorders of puberty. 

Part Seven: Other Disorders of Endocrine and Metabolic Functioning presents information about inherited metabolism storage disorder, inborn errors of metabolism including Gaucher disease, glycogen storage diseases, and other syndromes and diseases that result from, or impact, hormonal and metabolic processes. 

Part Eight: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of related terms and a directory of organizations able to provide more information about endocrine and metabolic disorders.