Endocrine conditions & hormone disorders
When a gland makes too much or too little of a hormone, or the body responds to it abnormally, the result is an endocrine disorder. These guides explain common hormone conditions: typical symptoms, how clinicians diagnose them with blood tests and other evaluations, and the general approaches used to manage them.
Browse conditions
Hypothyroidism: Underactive Thyroid Explained
A plain-language guide to hypothyroidism: what an underactive thyroid is, common signs, causes, the blood tests used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
Hyperthyroidism: Overactive Thyroid Explained
A plain-language guide to hyperthyroidism: what an overactive thyroid is, common signs, causes, the blood tests used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
Hypogonadism (Low Testosterone): A Clear Guide
A plain-language guide to hypogonadism, or low testosterone: what it is, common signs, causes, the blood tests used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
PCOS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Explained
A plain-language guide to PCOS: what polycystic ovary syndrome is, common signs, causes, the blood tests used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
Menopause: Hormones and Symptoms Explained
A plain-language guide to menopause: what it is, common signs, the hormone changes behind it, how it is recognised, and approaches to managing symptoms.
Cushing's Syndrome Explained: Excess Cortisol
A plain-language guide to Cushing's syndrome: what excess cortisol is, common signs, causes, the tests used to diagnose it, and how it is generally managed.
Addison's Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency) Guide
A plain-language guide to Addison's disease: what adrenal insufficiency is, common signs, causes, the blood tests used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Explained Clearly
A plain-language guide to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid condition: common signs, causes, the tests used to diagnose it, and management.
Graves' Disease Explained: Autoimmune Thyroid
A plain-language guide to Graves' disease, an autoimmune cause of an overactive thyroid: common signs, causes, the tests used to diagnose it, and management.
Hyperprolactinemia (High Prolactin) Explained
A plain-language guide to hyperprolactinemia: what high prolactin is, common signs, causes, the blood tests used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
Type 2 Diabetes & Insulin Explained Clearly
A plain-language guide to type 2 diabetes: what insulin resistance is, common signs, causes, the blood tests used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
Osteoporosis & Hormones Explained Clearly
A plain-language guide to osteoporosis: what bone thinning is, how hormones affect it, common signs, causes, how it is diagnosed, and how it is managed.
Acromegaly (Excess Growth Hormone) Explained
A plain-language guide to acromegaly: what excess growth hormone is, common signs, causes, the tests and imaging used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
Hyperparathyroidism Explained: High Calcium
A plain-language guide to hyperparathyroidism: what overactive parathyroid glands are, common signs, causes, the tests used to diagnose it, and management.
Adrenal Insufficiency Explained Clearly
A plain-language guide to adrenal insufficiency: what too little cortisol means, common signs, causes, the blood tests used to diagnose it, and management.
Primary Aldosteronism (Conn's Syndrome) Explained
A plain-language guide to primary aldosteronism, or Conn's syndrome: what it is, common signs, causes, the blood tests used to diagnose it, and management.
Pheochromocytoma Explained: Adrenal Tumour
A plain-language guide to pheochromocytoma: what this adrenal tumour is, common signs, causes, the tests used to diagnose it, and how it is generally managed.
Gynecomastia: Enlarged Male Breast Tissue
A plain-language guide to gynecomastia, or enlarged male breast tissue: what it is, common signs, causes, the tests used to evaluate it, and management.
Hirsutism (Excess Hair Growth) Explained
A plain-language guide to hirsutism, or excess hair growth in women: what it is, common signs, causes, the tests used to evaluate it, and how it is managed.
Prolactinoma: Pituitary Prolactin Tumour Guide
A plain-language guide to prolactinoma: what this pituitary tumour is, common signs, causes, the tests used to diagnose it, and how it is generally managed.
Thyroid Nodules Explained: Lumps in the Thyroid
A plain-language guide to thyroid nodules: what these lumps are, common signs, causes, the tests used to evaluate them, and how they are generally managed.
Goiter (Enlarged Thyroid): Causes and Evaluation
A plain-language guide to goiter, or an enlarged thyroid gland: what it is, common signs, causes, the tests used to evaluate it, and how it is managed.
Hypopituitarism Explained: Underactive Pituitary
A plain-language guide to hypopituitarism: what an underactive pituitary gland is, common signs, causes, the tests used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
Gestational Diabetes Explained
A plain-language guide to gestational diabetes: what it is, its signs, causes, the blood tests used to find it during pregnancy, and how it is managed.
Diabetes Insipidus Explained
A plain-language guide to diabetes insipidus: what it is, its signs, causes, the tests used to diagnose it, and how this water-balance disorder is managed.
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) Explained
A plain-language guide to hypoglycemia: what low blood sugar is, its signs, common causes, how it is evaluated with blood tests, and how it is managed.
Metabolic Syndrome Explained
A plain-language guide to metabolic syndrome: what this cluster of risk factors is, its signs, causes, how it is identified with tests, and how it is managed.
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Explained
A plain-language guide to premature ovarian insufficiency: what it is, its signs, causes, the hormone tests used to evaluate it, and how it is managed.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Explained
A plain-language guide to congenital adrenal hyperplasia: what this inherited adrenal condition is, its signs, causes, how it is diagnosed, and management.
Pituitary Adenoma Explained
A plain-language guide to pituitary adenoma: what this gland tumour is, its signs, causes, the hormone and imaging tests used to find it, and management.
Thyroid Cancer: An Overview of Signs and Tests
A plain-language overview of thyroid cancer: what it is, common signs, causes and risk factors, the tests used to evaluate it, and how it is generally managed.
Insulinoma Explained: A Rare Pancreatic Tumour
A plain-language guide to insulinoma: what this rare insulin-producing pancreatic tumour is, its signs, causes, the tests used to diagnose it, and how it is managed.
Precocious (Early) Puberty: Signs and Tests
A plain-language guide to precocious puberty: what early puberty is, its signs, causes, the hormone tests used to evaluate it, and how it is generally managed.
Delayed Puberty Explained: Signs and Testing
A plain-language guide to delayed puberty: what late puberty is, its signs, causes, the hormone tests used to evaluate it, and how it is generally managed.
Turner Syndrome: Hormonal and Endocrine Aspects
A plain-language guide to the hormonal aspects of Turner syndrome: what it is, common signs, causes, the tests used to evaluate it, and how it is generally managed.
Klinefelter Syndrome: Hormonal and Endocrine Aspects
A plain-language guide to the hormonal aspects of Klinefelter syndrome: what it is, common signs, causes, the tests used to evaluate it, and how it is managed.
Adrenal Incidentaloma Explained: Tests and Care
A plain-language guide to adrenal incidentaloma: what an unexpected adrenal mass is, why it matters, the hormone tests used to evaluate it, and how it is managed.
Sources
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Endocrine Diseases. https://medlineplus.gov/endocrinediseases.html
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). https://www.niddk.nih.gov/