You and Your Hormones

(MRI) a type of radiography scan used to visualise parts of the body internally for diagnostic purposes. Electromagnetic energy is used to create an image.

when the body is not able to take in or absorb nutrients properly.

a general feeling of not being very well.

Male hypogonadism is the result of deficiency of the male sex hormone testosterone. It can lead to loss of sex drive and function, delayed puberty, osteoporosis, and there can also be associated failure of the testes to produce sperm.

More information on: Male hypogonadism Endocrine Conditions

not eating properly; not receiving enough nutrients.

tissue in female breasts that produces milk during lactation (breastfeeding).

a rare genetic disorder which causes overactivity of glands in the body, as well as characteristic skin and bony abnormalities. The overactivity is caused by a change in the protein that usually controls hormone production.

the inner area of an organ; e.g. kidney, thyroid, adrenal gland.

describes the inner area of an organ; e.g. thyroid gland, kidney, adrenal gland.

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone describes a group of hormones produced by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus and skin cells. It is important for protecting the skin from UV rays, development of pigmentation and control of appetite.

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Melatonin is mainly produced by the pineal gland and although it appears not to be essential for human physiology, it is known to have a range of different effects when taken as a medication.

More information on: Melatonin Hormones

The menopause is the time when menstruation stops because the ovaries stop producing hormones and releasing eggs each month. This usually marks the end of a woman's reproductive years.

More information on: Menopause Endocrine Conditions

the (roughly) 28-day cycle of a woman’s reproductive system, which is controlled by female reproductive hormones. Menstruation (period) is at Day 1 and an egg is released at Day 14 (ovulation).

to have a period or monthly bleed.

period or monthly bleed. This is the breaking down of the lining of the womb, which occurs in the absence of a pregnancy each month.

the rate at which energy is used by the body.

The increase in prevalence of individuals who are obese or develop metabolic complications like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing. The development of these diseases is a result of a several of symptoms which are collectively known as metabolic syndrome.

More information on: Metabolic Syndrome Endocrine Conditions

the storage and break down of nutrients which can provide energy when required.

(metaiodobenzylguanidine) a specialised type of nuclear medicine scan used during the investigation of a phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma (tumours of the sympathetic nervous system).

involving specialists from more than one area of medicine. Some diseases are complex and affect more than one part of the body and so require doctors from different backgrounds to work together to form a treatment plan.

Goitre is a general term for an enlarged thyroid gland. Multinodular goitre is where the enlarged thyroid appears with a number of separate lumps (nodules) in the gland.

More information on: Multinodular goitre Endocrine Conditions

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is a rare inherited disease, which can result in tumours in the pituitary and parathyroid glands, and pancreas.

More information on: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 Endocrine Conditions

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) is a rare inherited disease causing the development of tumours in the thyroid, adrenal and parathyroid glands.

More information on: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A Endocrine Conditions

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B) is a rare inherited disease causing the development of tumours in the thyroid, adrenal and parathyroid glands, and mucosal tumours.

More information on: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B Endocrine Conditions

a spontaneous permanent change to the genetic code (DNA) that sometimes results in offspring having a different characteristic to parents or sometimes causes no noticeable effect at all.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex condition that causes long-term, fluctuating, and energy-draining fatigue, which does not improve with rest or sleep.

More information on: Myalgic Encephalopathy / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ (ME/CFS) Endocrine Conditions

(multiple myeloma) a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell made in the bone marrow.