Hormone diseases/disorders

The ghicocorticoids are used as replacement therapy for adrenocortical insufficiency, to treat allergic reactions, collagen diseases (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus), dermatologic conditions, rheumatic disorders, shock, and other conditions (see Display 50-1). The anti-inflammatory activity of these hormones make them valuable as anti-inflammatories and as immunosuppressants to suppress inflammation and modify the immune response... 

The assessment of patients for thyroid disorders entails a history and physical examination. In many patients with subclinical or mild thyroid disease, there may be an absence of specific signs and symptoms, and the physical examination may be normal. Various diagnostic tests can be used, including serum thyroid hormone(s), TSH, and thyroid antibody levels and imaging techniques to evaluate patients for thyroid disorders. Normal values for selected laboratory tests are given in Table 41-1. 

The patient likely will have a history of childhood-onset GH deficiency, hypothalamic or pituitary disorder, or the presence of three or four other pituitary hormone deficiencies caused by head trauma, tumor, infiltrative diseases, surgery, or radiation therapy. 

Thyroid disorders encompass a variety of disease states affecting thyroid hormone production or secretion that result in alterations in metabolic stability. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are the clinical and biochemical syndromes resulting from increased and decreased thyroid hormone production, respectively. 

Endocrine or hormonal dysregulation (Addison s disease, Cushing s disease, hyper- or hypothyroidism, menstrual-related or pregnancy-related or perimenopausal mood disorders)... 

Galanin GAL1 Human cDNA Alzheimer s disease, feeding diabetes, growth disorders, pain, stroke, obesity, Parkinson s disease Inhibition of acetylcholine release, regulation of motility, inhibition of insulin release, stimulation of growth hormone, inhibition of LH-RH secretion... 

Endocrine disorders Thyroid hormone therapy in patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus or insipidus or adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease) exacerbates the intensity of their symptoms. 

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome-Chron c autoimmune thyroiditis may occur in association with other autoimmune disorders. Treat patients with concomitant adrenal insufficiency with replacement glucocorticoids prior to initiation of treatment. Failure to do so may precipitate an acute adrenal crisis when thyroid hormone therapy is initiated. Patients with diabetes mellitus may require upward adjustments of their antidiabetic therapeutic regimens. Nontoxic diffuse goiter or nodular thyroid disease Use caution when administering levothyroxine to patients with nontoxic diffuse goiter or nodular thyroid disease in order to prevent precipitation of thyrotoxicosis. If the serum TSH is already suppressed, do not administer levothyroxine. 

Renal osteodystrophy is a complex disorder with several pathogenic factors. Histological evidence of bone disease is common in early renal failure and deficits in calcitriol synthesis seems to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism in early CRF. The most common component is osteitis fibrosa manifested as subperiosteal resorption of bone. This is due to decreased excretion as well as increased secretion of parathyroid hormone. In CRF small increments of serum phosphorus cause small decreases in serum calcium. 

---