Endocrine glands

Endocrine glands release (secrete) hormones into the bloodstream.

The endocrine glands include:

Adrenal
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:Body temperatureHeart rateHungerMoodRelease of hormones from many glands...
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Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
Ovaries
Parathyroid
Pineal
Pituitary
Testes
Testes
The testes are 2 egg-shaped male reproductive organs located in the scrotum. They produce sperm and the male hormone, testosterone.
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Thyroid

Hypersecretion is when an excess of one or more hormone is secreted from a gland. Hyposecretion is when the amount of hormones that are released is too low.

There are many types of disorders that can result when too much or too little of a hormone is released.

Disorders that may be associated with abnormal hormone product from a particular gland include:

Adrenal:

Addison disease
Addison disease
Addison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.
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Adrenogenital syndrome or adrenocortical hyperplasia
Adrenogenital syndrome
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is the name given to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland. Inherited means the traits are passed down ...
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Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body has a high level of the hormone cortisol.
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Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of adrenal gland tissue. It results in the release of too much epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that contro...
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Pancreas:

Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
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Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar is a condition that occurs when the body's blood sugar (glucose) decreases and is too low. Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3. 9 mmol/L) i...
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Parathyroid:

Low blood calcium level
Tetany (abnormal cramping of muscles)
Renal calculi (kidney stones)
Renal calculi
A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.
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Excessive loss of minerals from bone (osteoporosis)

Pituitary:

Growth hormone deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency means the pituitary gland does not make enough growth hormone.
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Acromegaly
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a condition in which there is too much growth hormone (GH) in your body.
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Gigantism
Gigantism
Gigantism is abnormal growth due to an excess of growth hormone (GH) during childhood.
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Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus (DI) is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys are unable to prevent the excretion of water. DI is not the same as diabetes me...
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Cushing disease

Testes and ovaries:

Lack of sex development (unclear genitalia)

Thyroid:

Congenital hypothyroidism
Congenital hypothyroidism
Neonatal hypothyroidism is decreased thyroid hormone production in a newborn. In very rare cases, no thyroid hormone is produced. The condition is ...

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Myxedema
Myxedema
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....
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Goiter
Goiter
A simple goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is usually not a tumor or cancer.
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Thyrotoxicosis
Thyrotoxicosis
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.
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Open References

References

Barrett EJ. Organization of endocrine control. In: Boron WF, Boulpaep EL, eds. Medical Physiology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 47.

Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, et al. Principles of endocrinology. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 1.

Newell-Price JDC, Gibb FW. Endocrinology. In: Penman ID, Ralston SH, Strachan MWJ, Hobson RP, eds. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 20.

Endocrine glands - illustration
Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the rate of metabolism in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).
Endocrine glands
illustration
Brain-thyroid link - illustration
Although the thyroid gland releases the hormones which govern growth and metabolism, the brain (the pituitary and the hypothalamus) manages the release and the balance of the amount of hormones circulated.
Brain-thyroid link
illustration

Endocrine glands - illustration
Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the rate of metabolism in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).
Endocrine glands
illustration
Brain-thyroid link - illustration
Although the thyroid gland releases the hormones which govern growth and metabolism, the brain (the pituitary and the hypothalamus) manages the release and the balance of the amount of hormones circulated.
Brain-thyroid link
illustration

A Closer Look

Talking to your MD

Self Care

Tests for Endocrine glands

Glucagon blood test

Review Date: 5/12/2023

Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Health Library

Endocrine glands

Hypothalamus

Testes

Addison disease

Adrenogenital syndrome

Cushing syndrome

Pheochromocytoma

Diabetes mellitus

Hypoglycemia

Renal calculi

Growth hormone deficiency

Acromegaly

Gigantism

Diabetes insipidus

Congenital hypothyroidism

Myxedema

Goiter

Thyrotoxicosis

References

Endocrine glands - illustration

Endocrine glands

Brain-thyroid link - illustration

Brain-thyroid link

Endocrine glands - illustration

Endocrine glands

Brain-thyroid link - illustration

Brain-thyroid link

A Closer Look

Talking to your MD

Self Care

Tests for Endocrine glands

Related Information