PATHO: Endocrine System, DM, GI
Exam Question and Answers Latest
Updates 2026 Top Rated A+
Hormone that plays a role in the response to stress and injury
ACTH
Hormone that controls growth and development
GH
Hormone that controls energy metabolism
TSH
Hormone that plays a role in ionic and calcium homeostasis
TSH
Hormones involved in reproduction and lactation
LF/FSH, PRL, OT
Hormone that maintains fluids and electrolyte homeostasis
ADH
Hormone involved in sugar metabolism
ACTH
Changes in what are common to many endocrine imbalances?
energy level and fatigue
Hormones
chemical substances secreted by the endocrine glands
Regulation of Hormones
Dirunal (or circadian) rhythm
On the monthly basis
Regulation of hormonal secretion (negative and positive feedback)
Positive Feedback System
INCREASE the synthesis and secretion of a hormone
EX: Thyrotropin releasing hormone is released when thyroid hormone
levels are low
INCREASES the target organ beyond its normal action
EX: uterine functions beyond normal ability during childbirth
,Negative Feedback System
Glands will respond to stimuli to DECREASE the synthesis and secretion of
hormones
Most common form of endocrine control
- turns off the release when appropriate
EX: cortisol and the HPA axis
If there is a lack of positive or negative feedback...
on hormonal release and control then there are pathologic changes seen in
the patient
Endocrine Changes Associated with Aging
decreased antidiuretic hormone --> increased potential for dehydration
decreased ovarian function --> increased potential for osteoporosis
decreased glucose tolerance --> increased risk for obesity and type II
diabetes if family hx
Anterior Lobe of the Pituitary Gland (GH)
stimulated growth of bone and muscle, promotes protein synthesis and fat
metabolism, decreased carbohydrate metabolism
stimulates the liver to produce substances known as somatomedins that
enhance growth activity
Posterior Lobe of the Pituitary Gland (ADH)
increase water reabsorption by the kidney
Anterior Lobe Pituitary Disorders
Hyperpituitarism
- Gigantism: hypersecretion before puberty
- Acromegaly: hypersecretion after puberty
Hypopituitarism
- Dwarfism
Posterior Lobe Pituitary Disorders
Hyperpopituitarism
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone; SIADH
Hypopopituitarism
- Diabetes insipidus, DI
Clinical Manifestations of Hyperpituitarism
- enlargement and bony changes in hands, feet, face, and spine
- deepened voice due to increased size of larynx and respiratory tract
, - cardiomegaly, atherosclerosis
- obstructive sleep apnea
- disorders of fat and carbohydrate metabolism
- excessive sweating, heat intolerance
- frequent headaches and visual impairment
- muscle weakness/ fatigue
Clinical Manifestations of Hypopituitarism
CLASSIC PRESENTATION:
- normal intelligence
- short stature
- obesity
- immature facial features
- delayed/abnormal puberty
CONGENITAL:
- smaller length at birth, followed by slow growth
SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone)
vasopressin (ADH) is secreted even when plasma osmolarity is low or
normal
- feedback mechanisms do not function properly
- water is retained, resulting in hyponatremia (decreased sodium level) -
-> volume is diluted
- may occur with disorders of the central nervous system, such as head
injury, brain injury or tumor, and infection
Causes of SIADH
- malignancy
- pulmonary disorders: tuberculosis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, respiratory
failure
- head injury/ stroke/ brain infections
- surgery
- drugs: narcotics, anesthetics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemo,
NSAIDS
Hypopituitarism (DI)
- water metabolism problem caused by ADH deficiency --> polyuria
- related to dehydration, tends to drink 2-20 L of fluid daily
- increase in frequency of urination and excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- dehydration and hypertonic saline tests used for diagnosis of the disorder
- urine diluted with a low specific gravity (<1.005)
Exam Question and Answers Latest
Updates 2026 Top Rated A+
Hormone that plays a role in the response to stress and injury
ACTH
Hormone that controls growth and development
GH
Hormone that controls energy metabolism
TSH
Hormone that plays a role in ionic and calcium homeostasis
TSH
Hormones involved in reproduction and lactation
LF/FSH, PRL, OT
Hormone that maintains fluids and electrolyte homeostasis
ADH
Hormone involved in sugar metabolism
ACTH
Changes in what are common to many endocrine imbalances?
energy level and fatigue
Hormones
chemical substances secreted by the endocrine glands
Regulation of Hormones
Dirunal (or circadian) rhythm
On the monthly basis
Regulation of hormonal secretion (negative and positive feedback)
Positive Feedback System
INCREASE the synthesis and secretion of a hormone
EX: Thyrotropin releasing hormone is released when thyroid hormone
levels are low
INCREASES the target organ beyond its normal action
EX: uterine functions beyond normal ability during childbirth
,Negative Feedback System
Glands will respond to stimuli to DECREASE the synthesis and secretion of
hormones
Most common form of endocrine control
- turns off the release when appropriate
EX: cortisol and the HPA axis
If there is a lack of positive or negative feedback...
on hormonal release and control then there are pathologic changes seen in
the patient
Endocrine Changes Associated with Aging
decreased antidiuretic hormone --> increased potential for dehydration
decreased ovarian function --> increased potential for osteoporosis
decreased glucose tolerance --> increased risk for obesity and type II
diabetes if family hx
Anterior Lobe of the Pituitary Gland (GH)
stimulated growth of bone and muscle, promotes protein synthesis and fat
metabolism, decreased carbohydrate metabolism
stimulates the liver to produce substances known as somatomedins that
enhance growth activity
Posterior Lobe of the Pituitary Gland (ADH)
increase water reabsorption by the kidney
Anterior Lobe Pituitary Disorders
Hyperpituitarism
- Gigantism: hypersecretion before puberty
- Acromegaly: hypersecretion after puberty
Hypopituitarism
- Dwarfism
Posterior Lobe Pituitary Disorders
Hyperpopituitarism
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone; SIADH
Hypopopituitarism
- Diabetes insipidus, DI
Clinical Manifestations of Hyperpituitarism
- enlargement and bony changes in hands, feet, face, and spine
- deepened voice due to increased size of larynx and respiratory tract
, - cardiomegaly, atherosclerosis
- obstructive sleep apnea
- disorders of fat and carbohydrate metabolism
- excessive sweating, heat intolerance
- frequent headaches and visual impairment
- muscle weakness/ fatigue
Clinical Manifestations of Hypopituitarism
CLASSIC PRESENTATION:
- normal intelligence
- short stature
- obesity
- immature facial features
- delayed/abnormal puberty
CONGENITAL:
- smaller length at birth, followed by slow growth
SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone)
vasopressin (ADH) is secreted even when plasma osmolarity is low or
normal
- feedback mechanisms do not function properly
- water is retained, resulting in hyponatremia (decreased sodium level) -
-> volume is diluted
- may occur with disorders of the central nervous system, such as head
injury, brain injury or tumor, and infection
Causes of SIADH
- malignancy
- pulmonary disorders: tuberculosis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, respiratory
failure
- head injury/ stroke/ brain infections
- surgery
- drugs: narcotics, anesthetics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemo,
NSAIDS
Hypopituitarism (DI)
- water metabolism problem caused by ADH deficiency --> polyuria
- related to dehydration, tends to drink 2-20 L of fluid daily
- increase in frequency of urination and excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- dehydration and hypertonic saline tests used for diagnosis of the disorder
- urine diluted with a low specific gravity (<1.005)
