Endocrine disorders occur when there is anincrease or decrease in the secretion of hormones from one of the endocrineglands in the body. Endocrine glands are those that secrete their hormonesdirectly into the bloodstream, which allows these hormones to travel andperform their various functions at different sites in the body.

The human body contains a group ofendocrine glands, which secrete over 50 different hormones that play a varietyof roles in growth and development, metabolism, mood, sexual development, andmore. These glands include:

• The pituitary gland andhypothalamus: responsible for producing and controlling many hormones in thebody, and located in the brain.
• The pancreas; responsible forsecreting the hormones insulin and glucagon.
• The thyroid gland andparathyroid glands.
• The ovaries.
• The testes.
• The pineal gland; located inthe brain, responsible for regulating sleep.
• The adrenal glands; the bodycontains two adrenal glands, one above each kidney.
• The thymus gland; a part of theimmune system.

Causes of endocrine disorders

In general, endocrine disorders are dividedinto two types: 

• Disorders that cause one of theendocrine glands to produce too much or too little of its hormones.
• Disorders that lead to thedevelopment of lesions such as tumors or nodules on one of the glands, in whichcase the levels of its hormones may or may not be affected.

The causes of endocrine disordersinclude:

• Inflammation or disease thataffects the gland's ability to produce its hormones.
• A genetic or hereditarydisease.
• The growth of a benign orcancerous tumor on the gland.
• Exposure to direct injury tothe gland.
• Factors associated withlifestyle, the most important of which is obesity and overweight; obesityincreases the risk of developing a number of endocrine disorders, includingdiabetes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 68% of Saudis areoverweight, while 33% of them are obese.

Common types of endocrine disorders

There are many types of endocrinedisorders, the most important and most common of which are: 

1) Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition inwhich blood sugar levels rise due to the inability of the pancreas to produceenough insulin or the body's resistance to the action of insulin. 

Saudi Arabia ranks second inthe Middle East and seventh globally in the rate of diabetes; about 18% ofadults in Saudi Arabia suffer from diabetes according to the InternationalDiabetes Federation (IDF). 

Associated symptoms:

• Increased thirst and hunger.
• Frequent urination.
• Sudden changes in weight.
• Chronic ulcers.
• General fatigue and exhaustion.
• Tingling and numbness in theextremities.
• Blurred vision.

Diabetes is a silent disease,meaning that it develops gradually over several years before any clear symptomsappear in the individual. Therefore, all individuals over the age of 35, orthose who are overweight or obese regardless of their age, are advised to havetheir blood sugar checked every 3 years.

2) Hypothyroidism

The most common endocrine disorder, it occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of its hormones.

• Associated symptoms
• Intolerance to cold.
• Fatigue and general lethargy.
• Weight gain.
• Dry skin.
• Slowing of the heart rate.
• Constipation.
• Muscle cramps.

3) Hyperthyroidism

It occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of its hormones, and its symptoms include:

Associated symptoms:

• Increased appetite with weight loss.
• Increased heart rate and rhythm disturbances.
• Irritability and nervousness.
• Insomnia and difficulty sleeping.
• General fatigue and exhaustion
• Enlargement of the thyroid gland.

4) Cushing's syndrome

It occurs when the adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of the hormone cortisol (responsible for regulating the body's response to stress, maintaining blood pressure within normal levels, and more).

Associated symptoms:

• Weight gain.
• Dense hair growth.
• Easy bruising and stretch marks on the skin.
• Muscle weakness.
• Fat accumulation in the back of the neck between the shoulders.

5) Polycystic ovary syndrome

It is a condition that occurs as a result of an imbalance of sex hormones in the body, which causes problems with the ovaries leading to the formation of cysts filled with fluid in the ovary.

Associated symptoms:

• Irregular menstrual cycles.
• Increased body hair growth.
• Acne.
• Weight fluctuations such as weight gain or loss.
• The appearance of skin tags

6) Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a condition that occurs when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone. This can cause abnormal growth of bones, tissues, and organs.

Symptoms:

• Enlargement and swelling of the hands and feet
• Enlargement of facial features, including facial bones, lips, nose, and tongue
• Dry skin and increased thickness
• Hoarseness
• Increased sweating and body odor

Diagnosing Endocrine Disorders

To get an accurate diagnosis of endocrinedisorders, you should see an endocrinologist. The specialist will order one ormore of the following tests:

• Blood tests, and urine in somecases
• Imaging tests, such as:ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Treating Endocrine Disorders

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment forall endocrine disorders. The treatment will vary depending on the nature of thedisease and the symptoms the patient is experiencing. However, in general, themain treatments include:

• Medications to relieve symptomsand restore hormonal balance
• Chemotherapy, radiation, orsurgery for individuals with tumors in one of the endocrine glands

At the Department of Endocrinology at Dr.Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, we provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary carefor all endocrine and diabetes diseases for individuals of all ages. Ourdepartment is equipped with the best and latest equipment and technologies todiagnose endocrine diseases early and provide appropriate treatment and care.