How to Tell the Difference between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
This month, I thought I would go over some of the different functions of the Endocrine System. It is a glorious thing, taking a leading role in keeping us alive and making sure our body functions properly. Studies show when the endocrine functions go ‘off the track’ that our bodies get ill.
Numerous processes take place throughout the body 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and one key factor in making sure all these processes work correctly is hormones. Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers that are secreted by a group of glands in the body. This is known as the endocrine system.
Using the bloodstream for transportation, the endocrine system has several functions. Here’s a look at how the endocrine system works.
The endocrine system helps control each of these processes and systems:
The endocrine system spans from the brain down to the pelvic region, with several different parts:
To keep everything functioning, a few processes must be working properly:
1. Endocrine glands must release the proper amount of hormones.
2. The body must have a strong blood supply to transport the hormones around the body.
3. There must be enough receptors to which the hormones can attach and carry out their function.
4. The targets must be capable of responding to the hormonal signal. (In certain cases, the signal is sent properly and the bloodstream carries it as it should, but the receptors aren’t able to convert the signal into secretion of the hormone.)
If any of these steps don’t work properly, endocrine diseases could result. These include slowing metabolism, weight gain and hormonal shifts that could lead to things like heart disease, osteoporosis and Type 2 diabetes. Factors like stress, infections, chemical exposure, genetics and lifestyle habits can lead to increased risk of a disorder.
To learn more about your endocrine system or for any questions, speak to your doctor.
Here at Palmetto Endocrinology, we are able to help diagnose and treat endocrine system disorders—even complex cases in which conventional treatments don’t work. As trained specialists, our providers know the latest treatments and technologies to treat a variety of disorders.
Sources:
“What Is the Endocrine System?” WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/endocrine-system-facts#1
“About the Endocrine System.” EndocrineWeb. https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/about-endocrine-system
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