You and Your Hormones

the practice of checking a person at regular intervals for signs or genetic predisposition of a condition before any symptoms have developed.

the sac of skin that lies outside the body in men, behind the penis, in which the testes sit.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is the release of increased amounts of parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism), which is an appropriate response to low calcium or vitamin D levels in order to try to bring calcium levels back up to normal.

More information on: Secondary hyperparathyroidism Endocrine Conditions

a set of physical changes to the body that occurs during puberty in boys (growth of facial, chest and pubic hair; enlargement of penis and testes) and girls (breast development; growth of underarm and pubic hair).

Sheehan's syndrome is a rare condition affecting the pituitary gland that occurs as a result of heavy bleeding during or after childbirth.

More information on: Sheehan's syndrome Endocrine Conditions

an essential salt found in the body, which is important in the transmission of electrical signals between nerve cells in the brain.

Somatostatin is a hormone that inhibits the secretion of several other hormones, including growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, cholecystokinin and insulin.

More information on: Somatostatin Hormones

Somatostatinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours that arise from tumour cells originated from specialised hormone-producing cells in the endocrine pancreas and duodenum (first part of small intestine).

More information on: Somatostatinoma Endocrine Conditions

describes an event that occurs randomly.

the chest bone.

sudden damage to brain cells caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain, usually by a blockage in the brain’s blood supply. Symptoms include drooping of one side of the face, lack of feeling in one arm, difficulty talking. Immediate treatment is needed.

reduced levels of fertility in a man or woman, where some form of assisted reproductive therapy may be needed to conceive a child; equally, a natural conception may be possible but may take longer than average to achieve.

a woman who agrees to carry the child of another couple through pregnancy.

a chronic autoimmune condition (where the body attacks itself) that causes damage to tissues throughout the body. Symptoms are variable and extensive.