Department Of Endocrinology

Thyroid diseases:

• The thyroid is a small gland present in the neck that plays an important role in various vital metabolic functions. 
• Excessive production of thyroid hormone is referred to as hyperthyroidism, whereas, insufficient thyroid hormone production is termed hypothyroidism. 
• Common causes of hyperthyroidism include Grave's disease, toxic adenomas, subacute thyroiditis and malfunction of the pituitary glands. 
• Major causes of hypothyroidism include Hashimoto's thyroiditis, extraction of the thyroid gland and excessive exposure to Iodine. 
• There are many diseases and ailments that can affect the thyroid gland. These include thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, thyroid cancer and goitre.
• Various symptoms associated with thyroid disease include sleeping difficulties, unintended loss or gain of weight, anxiety, irritability, muscle weakness, tremors and irregular menstrual cycles. 
• Thyroid diseases are usually managed by medication and lifestyle changes. 

Diabetes 

• Diabetes is a condition marked by elevated blood sugar levels in the body.
• The abnormal sugar levels are either a result of decreased production of insulin hormone or inability of the same to work efficiently. 
• Diabetes can be of different types- Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease accounting for almost 10% of the cases. Type 2 diabetes is very serious and marked by excessive sugar buildup. Gestational diabetes is marked by high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. 
• Common symptoms associated with diabetes include increased hunger and thirst, unintended loss of weight, frequent urge to urinate and blurry vision. 
• Men with diabetes are more vulnerable to problems like erectile dysfunction and decrease sex drive

Metabolic disorders:

• It is an umbrella term used for a cluster of conditions that affect your metabolism, i.e. the ability of the body to generate energy from the food we eat. 
• Some common metabolic disorders include hypertension, high blood sugar, obesity, Gaucher's disease, hereditary hemochromatosis, phenylketonuria, and unhealthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. 
• These can put you at a higher risk of developing various ailments like stroke and type 2 diabetes. 
• Metabolic disorders are usually triggered when some organs like the liver and the pancreas become dysfunctional. 
• Other factors responsible for metabolic disorders include enzyme or vitamin deficiency, underlying disease of the liver pancreas and endocrine glands, and abnormal chemical reactions. 

Menopause :

• Menopause is said to occur when a woman, usually in her 40s, stops having her monthly menstrual cycles. 
• Women have a limited reserve of eggs, which tends to decline with age.
• The oestrogen levels tend to fall as a result of the endocrine changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which is triggered by the loss of oocytes and follicles. 
• The decline in oestrogen levels can give rise to many problems such as osteoporosis, heart diseases, loss of libido, cognitive and vaginal changes. 

Lipid disorders

• It is a cluster of conditions that can trigger unhealthy levels of lipids or fats in our bodies. These can accumulate over time and obstruct the flow of blood through the arteries. 
• Common symptoms of liver disorders include xanthomas, arcus senilis and xanthelasma.
• Lipid disorders can be a result of genetic mutations. These can also be triggered by underlying diseases or unhealthy lifestyle factors. 
• Medical conditions that can trigger lipid disorders include diabetes, renal diseases, hepatic diseases and hyperthyroidism. 

 Infertility 

• Infertility is becoming a growing concern affecting more than 14 % of the world population.
• Healthy hormonal balance plays a vital role in determining your fertility and if the hormones are not balanced, it can lead to difficulties in conception. 
• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), thyroid dysfunction and anovulation are three of the well-known causes of infertility in women. Board problems that occurred by hormonal imbalance. 
• In males, infertility can be a result of declined testosterone levels, which is a vital male reproductive hormone. 

Endocrine Cancers

• Endocrine cancer is a term used for malignancies that affect the organs and tissues of the endocrine system. 
• These include adrenal tumours, neuroendocrine tumours, parathyroid tumours, and pituitary tumours. 
• Common symptoms of endocrine cancer include, change in bowel and bladder habits, depression, confusion, fatigue and fever.