The endocrine system is a system of glands.

The Adrenal Glands are mainly responsible for releasing stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline.

• Addison’s Disease is a rare, chronic condition brought about by the failure of the adrenal glands. Lifelong, continuous treatment with steroid replacement therapy is required. 

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia describes the condition in which there is an inherited enzyme block in the adrenal. This manifests itself as too much or too little adrenal steroids and androgens.

The Thyroid Gland produces hormones that influence the activity of all cells in the body.

• Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid) is caused when the thyroid produces an excess of thyroid hormones which causes symptoms of weight loss, palpitations, sleep disturbance, agitation and anxiety.

• Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) describes the condition where there are low levels of thyroid hormones leading to tiredness, weight gain and poor energy levels.

• Acute Thyroiditis is caused by a probable viral infection or autoimmune process that causes thyroid hormones to be released from a damaged gland. People usually experience symptoms of high thyroid levels (see hyperthyroidism above), over a period of time levels return to normal and in some cases may decline and fall below normal. 

• Goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland resulting in a visible swelling in the neck.

The Pituitary Gland secretes hormones that regulate homeostasis. It controls the thyroid, adrenals, testes in men, ovaries in women, breast and milk production in females and growth, it also regulates the water and salt balance in the body

• Acromegaly is a condition resulting from too much growth hormone and is caused by a tumour on the pituitary gland producing excess levels of growth hormone. These tumours are almost always benign (i.e. not cancerous). 

• Cushing’s Syndrome describes the condition resulting from exposure to an excess of steroid hormones.

• Craniopharyngioma is a tumour arising just behind the pituitary gland that can compress and reduce pituitary function.

• Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency describes the condition resulting from too little vasopressin that controls water and salt balance.

• Hypopituitarism describes the condition where the whole pituitary does not function.

• Prolactinoma is a pituitary adenoma which produces too much prolactin causing loss of periods, infertility and unusual milk production in females and low testosterone in males.

The Parathyroid Glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) and are responsible for controlling the amount of calcium in the blood and within the bones.

• Hyperparathyroidism is a condition in which one or more of the parathyroid glands produces too much parathyroid hormone which results in a raised calcium level in the blood.

The Pancreas Gland regulates glucose levels. Diabetes Mellitus is a condition which causes too much glucose in your blood stream. There are many different types. 

• Type 1 diabetes is a condition where your pancreas can no longer make insulin due to an autoimmune attack

• Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your body isn't using the insulin your pancreas produces slowly.

• Type 3c diabetes is secondary to pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery. Insulin, glucagon and pancreatic enzymes can be affected.

• Gestational diabetes is a temporary disorder of glucose regulation during pregnancy.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is one of the most common female endocrine disorders. The main symptoms of PCOS are obesity, irregular or absent periods (amenorrhoea), acne and hirsutism.