A Career In Endocrinology

Alex Ford, Tyler Peterson, Aleck Gao, Rachel Arkebauer

What is Endocrinology?

• Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system and it’s secretions

• The endocrine system is made up of glands that secrete different hormones which act as chemical messengers for the body

What Does the Endocrine System Do?

• The endocrine system’s overall function is to:a) Help maintain the body’s energy levelsb) Aid in reproductionc) Guide growth and developmentd) Maintain homeostasise) Control some reactions to surroundings,

stress, and injury

How Does the Endocrine System Interact With Other Main Body

Systems?• Nervous System:

a) The nervous system controls some secretions including those of the posterior pituitary

b) Some hormones influence the growth and development of the nervous system

c) Hormones provide feedback to the brain to affect neural processing

How Does the Endocrine System Interact With Other Main Body

Systems?• Cardiovascular System:

a) The blood is the main mode of transportation for hormones to reach their destinations

b) Some hormones influence blood volume, pressure, heart contractility, substance levels, and red blood cell production

How Does the Endocrine System Interact With Other Main Body

Systems?• Reproductive System:

a) Hypothalamic, anterior pituitary, and gondal hormones direct reproductive system development and function

b) Oxytocin and prolactin are involved in birth and breastfeeding

How Does the Endocrine System Interact With Other Main Body

Systems?• Respiratory System:

a) Adrenalin, secreted by the adrenal glands, helps stimulate respiratory activity

b) Some hormones can affect the dilation of the alveoli, controlling the amount of oxygen that can be absorbed into the lungs

Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on the Endocrine System

• Marijuana:a) Marijuana causes a short term drop in hormones

that guide growth and developmentb) Lowers sperm production and rate of normalcy in

malesc) Messes with the balance of hormones that control

menstrual cycles in females• While these effects are usually short term in adults,

researchers suspect that marijuana smoking can have long term developmental problems in youths

Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on the Endocrine System

• Alcohol:a) Alcohol can impair the functions of hormone

secreting glandsb) Alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to

obtain glucose from food, synthesize it, and break down glycogen into glucose

Effects of Tobacco on the Endocrine System

• Overview:a) Studies have shown that nicotine affects many

different endocrine glands through direct and indirect means

b) Tobacco smoke contains as many as 4,000 chemicals, with at least 60 different ingredients being toxic

Effects of Tobacco on the Endocrine System

• Thyroid Function:a) Nicotine inhibits thyroid function by causing an

excess of iodine secretion while at the same time slowing iodine uptake, it also inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis

Effects of Tobacco on the Endocrine System

• Adrenal Glands:a) In the adrenal glands, smoking can cause higher

levels of cortisol (stress hormone) to be released into the bloodstream, causing the body to feel stressed

Effects of Tobacco on the Endocrine System

• Reproductive System:a) In a study done in 1994, the sperm count of a

group of smokers was 13%-17% lower than that of non-smokers

b) Some research also suggests that fertility is lower in smoking women than non-smokers

Endocrine Malfunctions

• Tumor cells from cancers of the lung or pancreas may synthesize hormones identical to those made by normal endocrine function, but in excessive and uncontrolled fashions, causing harsh side effects

Endocrine Malfunctions

• Human Growth Hormone:Hypersecretion (Overproduction) Hyposecretion (Underproduction)

If before growth plates fuse, Children with HGH hyposecretion then it causes gigantism (8 ft+). lack the needed levels of HGH to

grow to normal heights. Can have If after growth plate fusion multiple causes, including radiationit causes abnormal proportions or chemotherapy, cancer cells,of the extremities. genetic mutations, etc.

Endocrine Malfunctions

• Diabetes Mellitus:• Results from hyposecretion or hypoactivity of insulin• When insulin is absent or deficient, blood glucose levels

remain high after a meal because the present insulin either isn’t numerous enough or isn’t active enough

• Can cause excessive urine output, thirst, and hunger• Hypersecretion causes blood glucose levels to drop too

low, causing the body to run low on energy, leading to anxiety, nervousness, tremors, and weakness

• In Type 1 Diabetes, the body secretes little or no insulin• In Type 2 Diabetes, the body produces ineffective insulin

Endocrine Malfunctions: Effects of Gland Removal

• Lack of a gland may disrupt synergism, permissiveness, lack of energy, and irritability

• After a gland is removed, there is no way for the body to produce the hormone(s) that the gland produced

• When this avenue of treatment is taken, medicines are prescribed that have chemicals that perform the functions of the missing hormone(s)

Endocrinology Statistics

• School: It takes four years traditional college, four years medical school, 3 years of residency, and 2 years of fellowship to become an endocrinologist

• Salary: The median salary for endocrinologists in the United States is $186,666

• Outlook: The job outlook for endocrinologists is steadily rising due to increased populations and need for treatment

Bibliography• Endocrine System. (n.d.). How the Nervous System Interacts with Other Body

Systems. Retrieved April 26, 2010, from http://faculty.washington.edu/ chudler/organ.html

• The Endocrine System: Diseases, Types of Hormones & More . (2010). Retrieved April 26, 2010, from The Hormones Foundation website: http://www.hormone.org/endo101/

• Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (n.d.). Developmental Aspects of the Endocrine System. In Human Anatomy and Physiology (7th ed., p. 639). Retrieved from http://wps.aw.com/bc_marieb_happlace_7/41/10721/2744585.cw/index.html

• Endocrine Effects of Tobacco Smoking. (2004). Retrieved April 28, 2010, from Blackwell Publishing website: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/496223