Classification of Hormones 4

Adrenocortical hyperfunction

Also called Cushing's disease or Hypercortisolism. Often occurs when a person is exposed chronically to high levels of glucocorticoids. Over production of cortisol by the adrenal gland. May occur if taking high doses of corticosteroids. Occasionally tumors on the pituitary gland secrete excess ACTH.

Functions of aldosterone

Controls the kidney's ability to regulate sodium, chloride, potassium, and water. Increase levels of aldosterone causes the kidneys to excrete potassium in urine and reabsorb sodium and water back in the blood. Regulation of Aldosterone is controlled by the rennin-agiotensin system.

Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency

Due to decreased levels of Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), there is a drop in the production of adrenal cortisol. This could be due to a pituitary disorder in secreting ACTH and for adrenal disorder in synthesizing cortisol.

Fight or Flight

During times of stress, impulses from the CNS stimulate the adrenal medulla to secrete catacholamines into the blood to initiate epinephrine. Increased blood pressure. Increases heart rate. Increases rate of respiration. Decreases digestion rate. Increases efficiency of muscular contractions. Stimulates carbohydrate metabolism (increases blood sugar levels)

Lipid metabolism

Excess cortisol leads to fat redistribution and to lipolysis (the breakdown of fat cells). This catabolism release fatty acids from adipose triglyceride. The resulting fatty acids and glycerol are transported to the liver where the glycerol is converted into additional glucose. The fatty acids can be converted to ketone bodies.

Maintain normal blood pressure

Excess cortisol leads to increased blood pressure, while very low levels of Glucocorticoid leads to vasodilation and decreased blood pressure. Anti-immunity or anti-allergy affect. High concentrations of glucocorticoids can decrease the number of antibody producing cells such as the T cells as well as immunoglobin.

Adrenal insufficiency symptoms

Fatigue, weakness, nausea, constipation, muscle and joint pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea, darkening of the skin, dizziness/lightheaded, craving salty food

Hyperaldosteronism symptoms

High blood pressure, headaches, excessive urination, excessive thirst, muscle weakness, cramps

Adrenal insufficiency treatment

Hormone replacement Hydrocortisone Prednisone

Adrenocortical hyperfunction treatment

If the symptoms are caused by high doses of corticosteroid treatment, gradual dose adjustments will be made. Adrenal or pituitary tumors: Surgery, Radiation, or medication to reduce cortisol production.

Primary Adrenal Insufficiency

Often due to an autoimmune condition in which a patient's immune system attacks and destroys its own glands. Rarer cases include adrenal tumors, tuberculosis, and other infections.

Hyperaldosteronism

Over production of mineralocorticoids by the adrenal glands often caused by tumors of the adrenal cortex.

Adrenal Medulla Disorder

Pheochromocytoma- Hypersecretion of epinephrine and dopamine from a tumor of the adrenal medulla. Bursts of catecholamines can cause sudden tachycardia, extreme anxiety with a sense of impending death, cold perspiration, blurred vision, headache, and chest pain. Blood pressure may rise significantly resulting in stroke or heart failure. Prompt surgical removal of the tumor is mandatory..

Functions of glucocorticoids

Promotes gluconeogenesis when blood glucose levels are low. Prolonged cortisol secretion may occur during stress and lead to hyperglycemia. Promites the catabolism of proteins into amino acids and mobilizes amino acids from muscle and other extra hepatic tissue. Therefore, cortisol will increase serum amino acid levels. In the liver, these increases in amino acids are converted to glucose which enters the blood. This is one way cortisol regulates blood glucose levels.

Gonadocorticoids

Steroid hormones that include the androgens (i.e. testosterone) and to a much lesser extent estrogen. These hormones are produced by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex. In males, the amount of testosterone produced in the adrenals is insignificant; most produced in the testes starting at puberty. In females, Androgens stimulates the secondary sex characteristics and libido (sex drive). Estrogen production from the adrenals is insignificant in woman of childbearing ages; the majority of their estrogen is produced in the ovaries. Androgens may be converted to estrogens after menopause.

Hyperaldosteroism treatment

Surgical removal of tumor causing the over production

Adrenocortical hyperfunction symptoms

Weight gain, easy bruising, poor wound healing, thinning of skin, round face, weak bones, tiredness, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, weak muscles, mood swings, depression, increased acne, increased thirst, lack of menstrual cycle

Adrenal Medulla

forms the inner core of the adrenal gland. It is the source of the circulating catecholamines involved in the "fight or flight" reaction: epinephrine (also called adrenaline), norepinenphrine and dopamine.

Glucocorticoids

group of steroid hormones that help regulate blood glucose homeostasis. Cortisol is the main glucocorticoid produced from the zona fascilulata of the adrenal cortex.

Regulation of the Gonadocorticoids

is under control of the same negative feedback as the glucocorticoids. The Hypothalamus releases Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) that stimulates the Anterior Pituitary to release Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the Adrenal Cortex to release Gonadocorticoids.

Mineralocorticoids

steroid hormones that primarily regulate sodium homeostasis. Aldosterone is the main mineralcorticoid produced in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex.

Adrena Cortex disorder

Adrenal insufficiency: (also called addison's disease, adrenocortical hyper function, hypocortisolism). Occurs when underactive adrenal glands produce insufficient cortisol and occasionally aldosterone