ENDOCRINE SYSTEM DISORDERS
PITUITARY GLAND: (messenger) influences growth, metabolism, and regeneration
● Hormones
○ Growth Hormone: stimulates protein and growth of muscle
○ TSH: stimulates T3 and T4 from being secreted from the thyroid gland ■
0.5-5
○ ACTH: stimulates the adrenal gland to release glucocorticoids- regulates
metabolism.
○ FSH
○ MSH
○ LH
○ Prolactin
○ Oxytocin
○ Vasopressin (ADH): messages kidneys to reabsorb water (does not allow
water to leave your body)
● Pituitary Disorders: result in fluid and electrolyte imbalance (affects kidneys)
○ Diabetes Insipidus: deficiency in ADH
■ Signs & Symptoms
● Low urine specific gravity- less than 1.005
● Low urine osmolarity
● Dehydration
● Polydipsia - Extreme thirst
● Polyuria
● Tachycardia
● Low blood pressure
● Hypernatremia - high salt
● Hyperkalemia- in the blood
■ Treatment:
● Desmopressin- increases water absorption in the kidneys,
reduces need to urinate- intranasally/orally
○ Monitor for: headache, confusion, other indications of
water intoxication.
○ SIADH: excessive secretion of ADH- opposite of diabetes insipidus
■ Signs & Symptoms
● High osmolarity
● High urine specific gravity - over 1.030
, ● Hyponatremia- can lead to confusion
● Fluid volume excess/overload
● Tachycardia
● Hypertension
● Crackles
● JVD
● Weight gain
● ***small amounts of concentrated urine.
■ Treatment:
● Restrict fluids
● Eat salt
● Sodium supplement
● Monitor I&O, pulmonary edema
● Daily weights
● Implement seizure precautions
○ Acromegaly: excessive growth hormone GIAGANTICISM
THYROID GLAND: regulates energy and metabolism
● Hormones
○ T3 080-220
○ T4 5-12
○ TSH: 0.5-5
● Thyroid Disorders
, ○ Hyperthyroid: low TSH and high T3 T4 “MOM & SAM” BIG EYES LOL
■ Signs & Symptoms:
● Nervousness
● Heat intolerance
● Tachycardia
● Weight loss
● Tremors
● Exophthalmos - bulging eyes (graves disease only)
● Thin hair
● Diarrhea
● Thirst
● Goiter- bulge in the neck
■ Complications:
● Thyroid storm: hyperthermia, hypertension, delirium,
tachydysrhythmias, chest pain, palpitations, vomiting and
abdominal pain.
■ Treatment:
● Medications:
○ Methimazole: inhibits production of thyroid hormone
○ Propylthiouracil: blocks synthesis of thyroid hormone
and decreases symptoms over time.
■ Do not take if preggy, take with meals
■ Report: jaundice, bruising, sore throat
○ Beta Blockers: treat tachycardia and palpitations
■ Monitor for hypoglycemia
○ Radioactive Iodine Therapy: destroys hormone
producing cells, contraindicated in pregnancy, stay one
meter away from pregnant woman, infants, and small
treatment within the first week and limit contact, flush
toilet 3x after urinating or having BM, laxative 2-3 days
after treatment to flush out.
● Thyroidectomy:
○ high protein, high carb diet prior to surgery
○ Report numbness in the mouth (parathyroid is gone)
low calcium
○ Semi fowlers, avoid neck distention
○ Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride available.
PITUITARY GLAND: (messenger) influences growth, metabolism, and regeneration
● Hormones
○ Growth Hormone: stimulates protein and growth of muscle
○ TSH: stimulates T3 and T4 from being secreted from the thyroid gland ■
0.5-5
○ ACTH: stimulates the adrenal gland to release glucocorticoids- regulates
metabolism.
○ FSH
○ MSH
○ LH
○ Prolactin
○ Oxytocin
○ Vasopressin (ADH): messages kidneys to reabsorb water (does not allow
water to leave your body)
● Pituitary Disorders: result in fluid and electrolyte imbalance (affects kidneys)
○ Diabetes Insipidus: deficiency in ADH
■ Signs & Symptoms
● Low urine specific gravity- less than 1.005
● Low urine osmolarity
● Dehydration
● Polydipsia - Extreme thirst
● Polyuria
● Tachycardia
● Low blood pressure
● Hypernatremia - high salt
● Hyperkalemia- in the blood
■ Treatment:
● Desmopressin- increases water absorption in the kidneys,
reduces need to urinate- intranasally/orally
○ Monitor for: headache, confusion, other indications of
water intoxication.
○ SIADH: excessive secretion of ADH- opposite of diabetes insipidus
■ Signs & Symptoms
● High osmolarity
● High urine specific gravity - over 1.030
, ● Hyponatremia- can lead to confusion
● Fluid volume excess/overload
● Tachycardia
● Hypertension
● Crackles
● JVD
● Weight gain
● ***small amounts of concentrated urine.
■ Treatment:
● Restrict fluids
● Eat salt
● Sodium supplement
● Monitor I&O, pulmonary edema
● Daily weights
● Implement seizure precautions
○ Acromegaly: excessive growth hormone GIAGANTICISM
THYROID GLAND: regulates energy and metabolism
● Hormones
○ T3 080-220
○ T4 5-12
○ TSH: 0.5-5
● Thyroid Disorders
, ○ Hyperthyroid: low TSH and high T3 T4 “MOM & SAM” BIG EYES LOL
■ Signs & Symptoms:
● Nervousness
● Heat intolerance
● Tachycardia
● Weight loss
● Tremors
● Exophthalmos - bulging eyes (graves disease only)
● Thin hair
● Diarrhea
● Thirst
● Goiter- bulge in the neck
■ Complications:
● Thyroid storm: hyperthermia, hypertension, delirium,
tachydysrhythmias, chest pain, palpitations, vomiting and
abdominal pain.
■ Treatment:
● Medications:
○ Methimazole: inhibits production of thyroid hormone
○ Propylthiouracil: blocks synthesis of thyroid hormone
and decreases symptoms over time.
■ Do not take if preggy, take with meals
■ Report: jaundice, bruising, sore throat
○ Beta Blockers: treat tachycardia and palpitations
■ Monitor for hypoglycemia
○ Radioactive Iodine Therapy: destroys hormone
producing cells, contraindicated in pregnancy, stay one
meter away from pregnant woman, infants, and small
treatment within the first week and limit contact, flush
toilet 3x after urinating or having BM, laxative 2-3 days
after treatment to flush out.
● Thyroidectomy:
○ high protein, high carb diet prior to surgery
○ Report numbness in the mouth (parathyroid is gone)
low calcium
○ Semi fowlers, avoid neck distention
○ Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride available.
