Hormonal Disorders
Dwarfism, acromegaly, goitre, cretinism, diabetes mellitus, Addison's and Cushing's disease. (Biology › Chemical Coordination and Integration, NEET UG syllabus.)
What is Hormonal Disorders?
A condition of abnormally small stature, typically resulting from hyposecretion of growth hormone during childhood.
Key points
- Identify the endocrine gland and hormone associated with each disorder.
- Differentiate between the causes (hyposecretion/hypersecretion) of various hormonal disorders.
- Describe the key symptoms and characteristics of dwarfism, acromegaly, goitre, cretinism, diabetes mellitus, Addison's disease, and Cushing's disease.
- Distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Common exam trap
Confusing dwarfism (GH deficiency) with cretinism (thyroid hormone deficiency).
Definitions
- Term
Dwarfism
- Meaning
A condition of abnormally small stature, typically resulting from hyposecretion of growth hormone during childhood.
- Term
Acromegaly
- Meaning
A chronic disease characterized by enlargement of the face, hands, and feet, caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone in adulthood.
- Term
Goitre
- Meaning
An abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, which can be caused by iodine deficiency, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism.
- Term
Cretinism
- Meaning
A condition of severely stunted physical and mental growth due to untreated congenital deficiency of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) usually due to maternal iodine deficiency.
- Term
Diabetes Mellitus
- Meaning
A chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) resulting from either insufficient insulin production (Type 1) or the body's cells not responding properly to insulin (Type 2).
- Term
Addison's disease
- Meaning
A rare, chronic endocrine disorder characterized by inadequate production of steroid hormones (cortisol and aldosterone) by the adrenal cortex.
- Term
Cushing's disease
- Meaning
A condition caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol, often due to a pituitary tumor causing excessive ACTH production, or adrenal gland tumor, or exogenous steroid use.
Learning objectives
Identify the endocrine gland and hormone associated with each disorder.
Differentiate between the causes (hyposecretion/hypersecretion) of various hormonal disorders.
Describe the key symptoms and characteristics of dwarfism, acromegaly, goitre, cretinism, diabetes mellitus, Addison's disease, and Cushing's disease.
Distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Relate dietary deficiencies (e.g., iodine) to specific hormonal disorders.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of the major endocrine glands (pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal).
Understanding of the functions of key hormones (Growth Hormone, Thyroxine, Insulin, Cortisol, Aldosterone).
Familiarity with the concepts of hyposecretion and hypersecretion.
Common mistakes
Confusing dwarfism (GH deficiency) with cretinism (thyroid hormone deficiency).
Mixing up the symptoms and causes of Addison's disease (hyposecretion) and Cushing's disease (hypersecretion).
Not knowing the fundamental difference between Type 1 (autoimmune, insulin deficiency) and Type 2 (insulin resistance) Diabetes Mellitus.
Assuming all goitre is due to hyperthyroidism; it can also be due to hypothyroidism or euthyroidism.
Keywords
Dwarfism
Acromegaly
Goitre
Cretinism
Diabetes Mellitus
Addison's disease
Cushing's disease
Growth Hormone
Thyroxine
Insulin
Cortisol
Hyposecretion
Hypersecretion
Endocrine disorders
Practice preview
Which hormone is deficient in Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1)?…
easy
Deficiency of which hormone in childhood leads to dwarfism?…
easy
A child suffering from cretinism would typically show which of the following symptoms?…
medium