All about Endocrine System

What I've learned about the endocrine system is that it is a series of glands and organs in the body that secretes chemical messengers called hormones into the bloodstream. Hormones and neurotransmitters are both chemical messengers which are bind to receptors. Hormones are released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream and travel all over the body. Neurotransmitters work outside of cells and are cleaned-up quickly that have localized effect only and they are short live only. The major endocrine organs are hypothalamus, pituitary, posterior and anterior pituitary, thyroid gland, thymus gland,pineal gland, pancreas, adrenal gland, adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex which makes dozens of steroid known as adrenocorticosteroids. Steroids are lipid molecules which interact directly with the cell's DNA and is the most powerful hormone.Hypothalamus is located in the diencephalon and an important link between the two control system. Pituitary is also a part of diencephalon and known as mater gland, it acts only under orders from hypothalamus. Posterior pituitary is the extension of hypothalamus and anterior pituitary is also controlled by the hypothalamus that is an endocrine. Thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped organ responsible for secreting the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyroxine. Thyroxine and triiodothyroxine contains iodine and control cell metabolism growth. Thymus gland plays an important function in the immune system. Pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin. Pancreas is responsible for maintaining blood sugar levels at or near a setpoint. Parathyroid gland is stimulated to secrete parathyroid hormones which stimulates the level of calcium in the bloodstream.

Like in other body systems, endocrine has common diseases also and here are some. The Hashimoto's disease is a form of hypothyroidism caused by an autoimmune attack on your thyroid gland. For unknown reasons, the immune system begind to attack the cells in the thyroid releasing inflammation and damage to the gland. The Grave's disease is also an immune disorder that affects the thyroid but in this case, the immune system stimulates the thyroid resulting in hyperthyroidism and bulging eyes. The Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adenal gland and Addison's disease is caused by insufficient production of the adrenocorticosteroid cortisol. The deficiency can cause weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure and excessive skin pigmentation. Cushings's disease is caused by over secretion of cortisol.

There are also some side effects in taking steroids. Men can suffer from having a problem with sperm production and shrinking of their testicles. Cholesterol level increases, increase in aggressive behavior, suppressed immune function, deepening of voice for women and some cardiovascular diseases.

There are so many things that you can learn in studying this system. You can understand more how your body works together with the other systems.

The only possible way that I can suggest to the reporter to make this topic more interesting is that, she should research more about endocrine system because this topic has a large function in our body but overall it was a good report.