[...]... times when they needed to survive by either standing up to threats and fighting or by running away from them as fast as possible The Endocrine System Works Around the Clock The endocrine system is comprised of the following key organs: the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the pineal gland, the thyroid gland, the parathyroids, the thymus gland, the pancreas, the adrenal glands, the ovaries, and the testes... in the future, testosterone use will become a more standard and accepted medical practice for men, and they will take their TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) every day, along with their morning coffee xiv The Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases and Disorders The Endocrine Glands Affect Every Other System in the Body When Problems Occur with the Endocrine System The endocrine glands affect all other... Parathyroid Glands Although most people have never heard of the parathyroid glands, they are very important glands The parathyroids are tiny glands that are embedded in and around the thyroid gland They are directly responsible for regulating the flow of calcium from the blood and into the bones and then back again as needed throughout the day and night The parathyroid glands directly affect the healthy...INTRODUCTION E By using sophisticated and complex feedback loop systems that are somewhat comparable to the sensors of a thermostat and yet are also far more complicated than the most sophisticated computer, the endocrine glands and the other systems of the body work together They sense and respond to the numerous minor and major changes in the person’s daily environment and the resulting bodily needs If a... are some examples of the glands in the endocrine system as well as potential medical problems that may occur in these glands These topics are also discussed in the entries throughout this encyclopedia The Hypothalamus and the Pituitary Gland The hypothalamus is a complex gland It controls the function of the pituitary gland and also directly affects the release of the seven pituitary hormones Corticotropin-releasing... rate of blood sugar The endocrine glands continue their vigilance with a constant unconscious and involuntary monitoring of the body throughout the day They adjust the output of hormones as needed If it is a slow and easy day for the owner of the endocrine glands, they generally need not be as active as when she has difficult physical (or emotional) problems that need to be resolved Endocrine Glands... disease An excess of cortisol (hypercortisolism) can also initiate from a cause other than the pituitary gland, xviii The Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases and Disorders Your endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate your body’s growth, metabolism, and sexual development and function The hormones are released into the bloodstream and transported to tissues and organs... cancerous The Adrenal Glands The adrenal glands are two glands located adjacent to the kidneys and close to the pancreas They are organs essential to healthy growth and development and also sustain normal life The adrenal glands produce adrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone as well as androgens, and deficiencies of these hormones can lead to serious diseases Hypofunctioning adrenal glands can lead to Addison’s... system, their endocrine systems do affect normal life changes as they grow Such life changes include the onset of puberty and, in a female, the onset of menstruation (menarche), the growth of breasts (thelarche), the appearance of underarm hair (adrenarche) and pubic hair (pubarche), and so forth Boys experience typical male signs of puberty, such as facial and body hair and maturing changes in the testes... combination of solid and cystic Thyroid nodules are often biopsied for cancer, although they are often benign The Pancreas The pancreas is a critical organ that maintains and fuels the body in the process of digestion and the assimilation of nutrients Its functions are essential to life If the pancreas fails, the insulin and the digestive enzymes that it normally produces must be replaced for the person . THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ENDOCRINE DISEASES AND DISORDERS THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ENDOCRINE DISEASES AND DISORDERS William Petit Jr., M.D. Christine Adamec The. hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the pineal gland, the thyroid gland, the parathy- roids, the thymus gland, the pancreas, the adrenal glands, the ovaries, and the