The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate

metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and
mood, among other things. The endocrine system is made up of the pituitary gland, thyroid
gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries (in females) and testicles (in
males), the Mayo Clinic notes.

Pituitary Gland

This gland is often referred to as the "master gland." It greatly influences other organs in the
body, and its function is vital to the overall well-being of a person. The pituitary gland produces
several hormones. In fact, the front part of it, commonly called the anterior pituitary, produces

the following types of hormones:

Growth hormone: This hormone promotes growth in childhood. For adults, it helps to maintain
healthy muscle and bone mass.
Prolactin: In women, it stimulates milk production. In males, low levels are linked to sexual
problems; however, most males make no use of the hormone.
Adrenocorticotropic: This hormone promotes the production of cortisol, which helps to reduce
stress, maintain healthy blood pressure and more.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone: Just as the name implies, this hormone helps to regulate the
body's thyroid, which is crucial in maintaining a healthy metabolism.
Luteinizing hormone: In women, this hormone regulates estrogen. In men, it regulates
testosterone
Follicle-stimulating hormone: Found in both men and women. It stimulates the releasing of eggs
in women and helps ensure the normal function of sperm production in men.

The back part of the pituitary gland is called the posterior pituitary. It produces the following two
hormones:
Oxytocin: This hormone causes pregnant women to start having contractions at the appropriate
time and also promotes milk flow in nursing mothers.
Antidiuretic hormone: Commonly referred to as vasopressin, this hormone helps to regulate
water balance in the body.

Thyroid
Found in both women and men, the thyroid controls a person's metabolism. It is located in the
front of the neck.
This gland secretes hormones that govern many of the functions in your body, such as the way
the body uses energy, consumes oxygen and produces heat. Thyroid disorders typically occur
when this gland releases too many or too few hormones. An overactive or underactive thyroid
can lead to a wide range of health problems.

Parathyroid
This gland is vital to proper bone development because it helps control both calcium and
phosphorous levels in the body. The parathyroid gland is actually a group of four small glands
located behind the thyroid gland.

Adrenal Glands
This gland helps to control blood sugar. In addition, also helps your body do the following:
Promoting proper cardiovascular function
Properly utilizing carbohydrates and fats
Helps distribute stored fat
Promotes healthy gastrointestinal functions

Pancreas
The main function of the pancreas is to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It is a large gland
located behind the stomach. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough
insulin or when the body doesnt use insulin properly (called insulin resistance).

Ovaries
Found in women, this gland produces both estrogen and progesterone, which promote the
development of breasts. They also help a woman maintain healthy menstrual periods.

Testes
Found in men, this gland produces testosterone, which promotes the growth of the penis as a
male gets older as well as facial and body hair. It also deepens the voice of a male at a certain
age. Other functions of testosterone include:
Maintaining sex drive
Promoting production of sperm
Maintaining healthy levels of muscle and bone mass

Thymus
This gland secretes hormones that are commonly referred to as humoral factors and are
important during puberty. The role of these hormones is to make sure a person develops a
healthy immune system.

Things That Can Go Wrong

Too much or too little of any hormone can be harmful to your body. For example, if the pituitary
gland produces too much growth hormone, a teen may grow excessively tall. If it produces too
little, a teen may be unusually short. Doctors can often treat problems with the endocrine system
by controlling the production of hormones or replacing certain hormones with medication.

Endocrine problems that can affect teens include:

Adrenal insufficiency. This condition occurs when the adrenal glands don't produce enough
corticosteroids. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may include weakness, fatigue,
abdominal pain, nausea, dehydration, and skin changes. Doctors treat adrenal insufficiency with
medications to replace corticosteroid hormones.

Type 1 diabetes. When the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, type 1 diabetes (previously
known as juvenile diabetes) occurs. In kids and teens, type 1 diabetes is usually an autoimmune
disorder, which means that some parts of the body's immune system attack and destroy the cells
of the pancreas that produce insulin. To control their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of
developing diabetes problems, kids and teens with this condition need regular injections of
insulin.

Type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, in which the body can't produce normal amounts of
insulin, in type 2 diabetes the body can't respond to insulin normally. Kids and teens with the
condition tend to be overweight. Some kids and teens can control their blood sugar level with
dietary changes, exercise, and oral medications, but many will need to take insulin injections like
people with type 1 diabetes.

Growth hormone problems. Too much growth hormone in kids and teens who are still growing will
make their bones and other body parts grow excessively. This rare condition (sometimes called
gigantism) is usually caused by a pituitary tumor and can be treated by removing the tumor. The
opposite can happen when a kid or teen has a pituitary glad that doesn't produce enough growth
hormone. Doctors may treat these growth problems with medication.

Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the levels of thyroid hormones in the

blood are very high. In kids and teens, the condition is usually caused by Graves' disease, an
immune system problem that causes the thyroid gland to become very active. Doctors may treat
hyperthyroidism with medications, surgery, or radiation treatments.

Hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the levels of thyroid hormones in the

blood are very low. Thyroid hormone deficiency slows body processes and may lead to fatigue, a
slow heart rate, dry skin, weight gain, and constipation. Kids and teens with this condition may
also grow more slowly and reach puberty at a later age. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an immune
system problem that often causes problems with the thyroid and blocks the production of thyroid
hormone. Doctors often treat this problem with medication.

Precocious puberty. If the pituitary glands release hormones that stimulate the gonads to
produce sex hormones too early, some kids may begin to go through puberty at a very young
age. This condition is called precocious puberty. Kids and teens who are affected by precocious
puberty can be treated with medication that will help them develop at a normal rate.