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Endocrine Diseases
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Endocrine System

Endocrine Diseases

Endocrine diseases arise when hormone levels are too high or too low, or when the body fails to respond to hormones as it should.

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system comprises eight major glands that produce hormones. These chemical messengers travel through the bloodstream to tissues and organs, regulating vital processes including:

  • Growth and development
  • Metabolism (digestion, breathing, circulation, and temperature regulation)
  • Sexual function
  • Reproduction
  • Mood

Understanding Hormone Disorders

Hormone diseases occur when the body produces an improper amount of hormones or when the body's response to these hormones is impaired. External factors such as stress, infection, and changes in fluid or electrolyte balance can also influence hormone levels.

Management and Treatment

Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease in the United States. Treatment for endocrine disorders generally focuses on regulating hormone production. In cases where the body produces too little of a specific hormone, hormone supplements are often used to restore balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

cute stress triggers a temporary release of cortisol and adrenaline, which is a normal physiological response. However, chronic, unmanaged stress can lead to sustained elevations in cortisol, which may disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and affect other hormones like insulin and thyroid regulators. While some changes are reversible with lifestyle modifications, long-term dysregulation can contribute to metabolic syndrome or adrenal fatigue, so addressing chronic stress is a key part of endocrine health management.
Hormone deficiency occurs when the gland does not produce enough hormone, typically treated with hormone replacement therapy. Hormone resistance occurs when the body produces adequate or even high levels of a hormone, but the target cells do not respond to it effectively. For example, in insulin resistance, the body produces insulin, but cells do not use it properly. Treatment for resistance focuses on improving cellular sensitivity through lifestyle changes and specific medications, rather than simply adding more of the hormone.
While symptoms vary by gland, common early indicators include unexplained weight changes despite consistent diet, persistent fatigue or low energy, sensitivity to temperature (feeling unusually hot or cold), changes in skin texture or hair loss, and significant mood swings or anxiety. Because these symptoms overlap with many other conditions, they often go unnoticed until they become severe, so tracking these changes over time is helpful for clinicians.
Preparation for dynamic testing, such as an ACTH stimulation test or glucose tolerance test, is more rigorous than a standard fasting blood draw. You may need to fast for a specific number of hours, stop taking certain medications like steroids or thyroid hormone replacements for a set period, and arrive at a specific time of day because hormone levels fluctuate naturally throughout the day. Failure to follow these strict protocols can lead to inaccurate baseline readings and misdiagnosis.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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