EndocrineWeb's Index Page and Site Map

Endocrine Disorders Home Page The Endocrine Disorders Home Page links each endocrine gland and is a common point for all of the Endocrine Web Family of Internet Sites. It provides a quick overview of each section of this very large site.

Endocrine Disorders Home Page

• The Endocrine Disorders Home Page links each endocrine gland and is a common point for all of the Endocrine Web Family of Internet Sites. It provides a quick overview of each section of this very large site.

What is Endocrinology and Endocrine Surgery?

• Introduces Endocrinology and Endocrine Surgery. Gives a one-sentence description of each gland and the purpose of the hormones each one secretes. A good place to start!
• What are Hormones? Just protein messengers which help cells talk to each other.
• Definitions of Endocrinology Terms.
  

The Thyroid Gland

• Introduction to the Thyroid Gland
• How Thyroid Hormones are Produced and how production is regulated.
• Tests Used to Examine the Thyroid: describes all lab & x-ray tests & what they mean
• Thyroid Goiters: what they are, what to do
• Sub-Sternal Thyroid Glands: the unique problems they cause, includes nice x-rays!
• Thyroid Nodules: which ones are worrisome?
• The use of Ultrasound to Diagnose Thyroid Nodules, includes several examples.
• When to biopsy a thyroid nodule and what all these scans mean (includes FNA biopsy)
• Overview of the different types of Thyroid Cancer Updated! Start thyroid cancer inquiries here.
• Specifics on Papillary Cancer...the most common type of thyroid cancer
• Specifics on Follicular Cancer...the second most common type of thyroid cancer
• Specifics on Medullary Cancer...the third most common thyroid cancer
• Specifics on Anaplastic Cancer...the least common and most serious thyroid cancer
• Specifics on Hurthle Cell Tumors
• Medullary Thyroid Cancer in M.E.N. Syndromes
• Operations on the Thyroid Includes descriptions and drawings of each thyroid operation
• The expert's opinion on the risks of Radiation Exposure
• Hyperthyroidism, an overview. Includes signs and symptoms of too much thyroid hormone
• Hyperthyroidism: making the diagnosis
• Hyperthyroidism: causes which are common (and not so common)
• Hyperthyroidism: treatment options including drugs, radioactive iodine, and surgery.
• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of auto-immune thyroiditis
• Other causes of thyroiditis: De Quervain's and Silent Thyroiditis
• Overview of Hypothyroidism: the signs and symptoms of too little thyroid hormone
• Making the Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism and a look at some of the causes
• Treatment of Hypothyroidism, and the follow up necessary
• Thyroid problems During Pregnancy
• Definitions of Thyroid Medical Terms
• Normal Lab Values for all thyroid function tests (this is just a list of values for reference)
  

The Parathyroid Glands

• Introduction to the Parathyroid Glands
• Normal and Abnormal Function of the Parathyroid Glands
• Overview of Hyperparathyroidism: the primary disease of parathyroid glands
• The Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Hyperparathyroidism
• Quick look at methods used to find diseased parathyroid glands pre-op (before an operation)
• Where do parathyroids come from? Why are they hard to find? Can they be inside the thyroid?
• Closer look at localizing tests, and a few examples (how doctors find the problem parathyroid gland)
• Sestamibi Scanning as the preferred method of localization of adenomas...its the best test there is!
• The advanced technique of SPECT Scanning
• 3-dimensional-rotational SPECT Scan Video and JAVA. COOL!!
• Technical page on performing Sestamibi Scans [advanced page for physicians] Updated!
• Standard Parathyroidectomy as the gold standard operation until newer techniques made this larger operation a second choice.
• Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy Using Intraoperative Nuclear Mapping Has now become the preferred parathyroid operation!  This is a MUST READ SECTION.
• Who is a candidate for Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy? (includes flow chart)
• Read what Endocrinologists think about minimal parathyroid surgery!  MUST READ SECTION
• Scientific Publications regarding radioguided parathyroidectomy.
• Osteoporosis and Hyperparathyroidism...Is it worse?...What can I do?
• Parathyroid Cancer...its extremely rare! Don't go here first.
• Overview of M.E.N. Syndromes (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes)
• Parathyroid Tumors in M.E.N. Syndromes...associated with other endocrine syndromes.
• Other types of MEN Syndromes (MEN type 2).
• Hypoparathyroidism...too little parathyroid hormone is very rare..don't confuse with hyperparathyroidism! This is caused by a bad surgical outcome (complications from standard parathyroid surgery, NOT minimal parathyroid surgery)

• Go to Parathyroid.com for more parathyroid information
  

The Adrenal Glands

• Introduction to the Adrenal Glands
• Indications for Removal of an Adrenal Gland
• Operations Available for adrenal removal...why one operation may be better than another
• Pheochromocytomas...signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
• The Ten Percent Tumor...more information on pheochromocytomas
• X-Ray Tests used to look for and examine adrenal tumors
• Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy (minimally invasive adrenal resection)
• Conn's Syndrome: hypertension, too little potassium, and an adrenal tumor coming soon
• Addison's Disease: adrenal hypofunction coming soon
• Cushing's Syndrome: too much cortisol from an adrenal or pituitary tumor
• Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma: an overview of this aggressive tumor
• Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma: Surgical Resection
• Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma: Potential Chemotherapy Treatments
• Overview of M.E.N. Syndromes
• Adrenal Disease in M.E.N. Syndromes
  

The Diabetes Center

• Introduction to Diabetes...what is diabetes?
• What is Insulin?...how it was discovered, where it is made, what it does
• How Insulin and Glucagon Regulate Blood Glucose: a careful feed-back mechanism
• Type 1 Diabetes: characteristics of type 1 diabetes and its special attributes
• Type 2 Diabetes: characteristics of type 2 diabetes
• Symptoms of Hyperglycemia: signs of high blood sugar
• Assessing Control of Glucose: several blood tests to tell how well sugars are controlled
• Diabetes Diet and Treatment: general treatment principles
• More about how the Pancreas Produces Hormones: insulin, glucagon, and others
• Diets for the Diabetic
• Oral Hypoglycemics:  medicines which help control blood sugar
• Insulin Treatments:  who needs insulin?
• Insulin Pumps: the newest method for excellent blood sugar control
• Complications of Diabetes: eyes, kidneys, arteries, legs, heart, nerves
• Diabetes Calorie Counter and Calorie Computer
• More coming here soon!
  

The Osteoporosis Center

• Osteoporosis Home Page
• Definition of Osteoporosis...what is it?
• Normal Bone Formation
• Maintenance of Strong Bones as an Adult
• Role of Physical Activity and exercise in formation of osteoporosis
• Role of Calcium in maintaining bone strength
• The Effects of Menopause on bone strength
• The Effects of Parathyroid Hormone on osteoporosis and bone pain
• Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis
• Over the Counter Drugs proven to be beneficial to osteoporosis
• Hormones proven to be beneficial to osteoporosis (estrogen and its relatives)
• The Newest Drugs proven to be beneficial to osteoporosis

Neuroendocrine Tumors of The Pancreas

• Introduction to the Endocrine Pancreas
• How the Pancreas Produces Hormones: insulin, glucagon, and others
• How Insulin and Glucagon Regulate Blood Glucose: a careful feed-back mechanism
• What is Insulin?...how it was discovered, where it is made, what it does
• The pancreas in M.E.N. Syndromes
• Normal Pancreatic Anatomy Coming Soon!
• Insulinoma Coming Soon!
• Gastrinoma Coming Soon!
• Glucagonoma Coming Soon!
• Pancreas Tumors in M.E.N Syndromes
• Other types of MEN Syndromes (MEN type 2).

Other Endocrine Web Sites

• Provides a link to other pages which deal with endocrine diseases to give you additional information on any of the topics covered here.