You and Your Hormones

cachexia, also called wasting syndrome, is a serious condition that causes people to lose muscle and fat even if they are eating normally.

Calcitonin is a hormone that is produced and released by the C-cells of the thyroid gland. Its biological function in humans is to have a relatively minor role in calcium balance.

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a calcium salt used to ‘mop up’ excess calcium in the bloodstream.

a drug that blocks the production of thyroid hormones; used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism to reduce thyroxine levels.

Carcinoid tumours are slow-growing tumours that arise from specialised cells that release hormones.

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numbness, ‘pins and needles’ and pain in the hands and wrist, particularly around the thumb; caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.

opacity in the lens of the eye leading to impaired vision or blindness. Cataracts are more frequent in the elderly and in people with diabetes.

consists of two major structures: the brain and spinal cord.

a surgical procedure, performed alongside removal of the thyroid gland, where surrounding lymph nodes are surgically removed along with the thyroid gland.

the neck or opening of the womb. During labour the cervix opens to allow the foetus to be delivered.

Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency is a condition where the pituitary gland fails to produce enough growth hormone during childhood. With early diagnosis and treatment, children generally achieve relatively normal height and development.

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Cholecystokinin is a gut hormone released after a meal, which helps digestion and reduces appetite.

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a procedure carried out during early pregnancy to obtain tissue from the placenta for genetic testing. The process comes with a slightly increased risk of miscarriage.

describes a condition that is long term or one that progresses slowly. Examples of chronic conditions are asthma, eczema and type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders occur when the circadian clock in the brain, which drives daily behavioural and physiological rhythms, is not synchronised with 'real' local time. This can result in abnormal sleep patterns, sleep loss and fatigue.

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(CBT) a specific type of talking therapy where a therapist helps the patient to look at connections between their thoughts, feelings, symptoms and behaviour.

(CT) a type of scan used to create detailed images of the inside of the body. It involves X-rays and a computer. Also known as a CAT scan or computed tomography.

the point at which a sperm successfully fertilises an egg and an embryo is formed.

describes a condition that is present at birth.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an inherited disorder that results in low levels of cortisol and high levels of male hormones, causing development of male characteristics in females, and early puberty in both boys and girls.

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condition affecting the heart that is present at birth.

a type of tissue made from collagen and fatty cells within a jelly-like lattice. Connective tissue functions to support organs, fill the spaces between organs, and form tendons and ligaments.

a hormone drug taken by women to prevent ovulation and therefore to stop a pregnancy occurring (contraception). There are several different types of pill; the ‘combined’ pill contains oestrogen and progesterone; the ‘mini’ pill contains progesterone-only.

a temporary endocrine gland formed from the ruptured ovarian follicle (which enclosed the egg) after an egg is released at ovulation. The corpus luteum produces the hormones progesterone and oestradiol (an oestrogen).

hormones secreted from the cortex of the adrenal gland that include glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol), mineralocorticoids (e.g. aldosterone) and androgens (e.g. testosterone).

a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is the main glucocorticoid in most animal species but corticosterone is higher in animals such as amphibians, rodents, reptiles and birds.

Corticotrophin-releasing hormone is the main element that drives the body's response to stress. It is also present in diseases that cause inflammation. Too much or too little corticotrophin-releasing hormone can have a range of negative effects.

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Cortisol is a steroid hormone that regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body, including metabolism and the immune response. It also has a very important role in helping the body respond to stress.

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Craniopharyngiomas are rare, slow-growing benign brain tumours which most commonly occur above the pituitary gland, but occasionally are found within the bony cup containing the pituitary gland.

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a chronic condition in which tissues become inflamed; particularly affects the walls of the small intestine, causing strong pains, constipation and vomiting.

Cushing's disease is the condition resulting from a pituitary tumour secreting excess amounts of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which then stimulates the adrenal glands to release excess amounts of the hormone cortisol.

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Cushing's syndrome is the name given to the collection of signs and symptoms that occur when the body is exposed to too much of the hormone cortisol.

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