EndocrineWeb's Index Page and Site Map

Here's a quick overview of each section on EndocrineWeb.

Endocrine Disorders Home Page

The EndocrineWeb Homepage 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 the Endocrine System?

• Learn the basics of the endocrine system in our endocrine overview article.  You'll get the basics of how the endocrine system functions, and there are links to specific articles on each endocrine gland.
• This article introduces endocrinology and endocrine surgery. Gives a one-sentence description of each gland and the purpose of the hormones each one secretes.
• What are hormones? Just protein messengers that help cells talk to each other.
• Definitions of endocrinology terms.
• Learn about the hypothalamus.
• Learn about the pineal gland.
• Learn about the pituitary gland.
• Learn about the thyroid gland.
• Learn about the parathyroid gland.
• Learn about the thymus gland.
• Learn about the adrenal glands.
• Learn about the pancreas.
• Learn about the ovaries.
• Learn about the testes.

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 MEN 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
• 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!  Who is a candidate for Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy? (includes flow chart)
• Read what Endocrinologists think about minimal parathyroid surgery
• Scientific Publications regarding radioguided parathyroidectomy.
• Osteoporosis and Hyperparathyroidism...Is it worse?...What can I do?
• Parathyroid Cancer
• Overview of MEN Syndromes (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes)
• Parathyroid Tumors in MEN Syndromes...associated with other endocrine syndromes.
• Other types of MEN Syndromes (MEN type 2).
• Hypoparathyroidism
• 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 MEN Syndromes
• Adrenal Disease in MEN Syndromes
• Overview of Addison's disease (a kind of adrenal insufficiency)
• What causes Addison's disease and other types of adrenal insufficiency
• How doctors diagnose Addison's disease
• Treatments for Addison's disease
  

The Diabetes Center

• More about how the pancreas produces hormones: insulin, glucagon, and others
• Assessing control of glucose: several blood tests to tell how well blood sugar levels are controlled
• Diabetes diet and treatment: general treatment principles, including healthy meal planning tips 
• Diabetes glossary    
• 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
• Symptoms of hyperglycemia: signs of high blood sugar (high blood glucose)

Type 1 Diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes: characteristics of type 1 diabetes
• Type 1 diabetes overview
• Type 1 diabetes symptoms
• Type 1 diabetes causes
• Type 1 diabetes risk factors
• Type 1 diabetes complications
• Type 1 diabetes prevention
• Facts & tips about type 1 diabetes
• Taking insulin when you have type 1 diabetes
• Type 1 diabetes FAQ

Type 2 Diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes: characteristics of type 2 diabetes and how it's different from type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes overview
• Type 2 diabetes symptoms
• Type 2 diabetes causes
• Type 2 diabetes risk factors
• Type 2 diabetes complications
• Type 2 diabetes prevention
• Facts & tips about type 2 diabetes
• Why exercise is important when you have type 2 diabetes
• When you may have to take insulin when you have type 2 diabetes
• Medications introduction for type 2 diabetes
• How to lose weight when you have type 2 diabetes (and why it'll help you control your diabetes better)
• Type 2 diabetes FAQ

Pre-diabetes:  How to prevent pre-diabetes from becoming type 2 diabetes

• Get the basics on pre-diabetes:  What are the early signs? What can you do to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes?

Gestational Diabetes:  Diabetes during pregnancy

• What you need to know about gestational diabetes:  symptoms, treatments, possible complications, and how it may affect your baby (if left untreated)

The Osteoporosis Center

• Osteoporosis Center
• Facts & tips about osteoporosis
• Definition of osteoporosis:  What is it?
• Normal bone formation
• Maintenance of strong bones as an adult
• Symptoms of osteoporosis
• Role of physical activity and exercise in preventing 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 for osteoporosis
• Hormones used to treat osteoporosis (estrogen and its relatives)
• The newest drugs used for osteoporosis
• Osteoporosis FAQ
• Osteoporosis glossary

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, and what it does
• The pancreas in MEN syndromes
• Pancreas tumors in MEN syndromes
• Other types of MEN syndromes (MEN type 2)

Other Endocrine Websites

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