Hormonal system (endocrine)

Hormones can be thought of as chemical messages that communicate with the body and bring about changes.

Your metabolism is influenced by your age, gender, muscle-to-fat ratio, the food you eat, physical activity and hormone function.

The hormones leptin, insulin, oestrogens, androgens and growth hormone are factors in obesity.

Acromegaly is caused by an excess of growth hormone in adults, which causes the overgrowth of bones in the face, hands, feet and internal organs.

Some athletes and bodybuilders wrongly believe that taking synthetic growth hormone will help build up their muscles.

Generally, pituitary tumours are benign and slow growing, and pituitary cancers are extremely rare.

Cosmetic genital surgery involves reshaping the labia, vulva or penis to alter their size or shape.

The pancreas helps to digest food, particularly protein.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which can be either acute or chronic

The effects of androgen deficiency depend on how severe the deficiency is, its cause and the age at which the deficiency begins.

It is the funeral directors job to help with many of the legal responsibilities, including the death certificate.

Menopausal hormone therapy can reduce menopausal symptoms, but the benefits and risks need to be considered carefully.

Information about pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) an infection that affects the female reproductive system. Includes causes, symptoms, diagnosis, risks, treatment, prevention and where to get help.

New life begins when a male sex cell (sperm) fertilises a female egg (ovum) within the female reproductive system.

Symptoms of a goitre can include enlargement of the throat, swallowing problems and breathing problems.

Good sources of iodine include fortified bread and any type of seafood, including seaweed.

The parathyroid glands make hormones that regulate calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the bones and blood.

Hashimoto's disease progresses very slowly over many years, so the symptoms may go unnoticed.

Hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed with a simple blood test that measures thyroid hormone levels.

Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland is underactive which causes the person?s metabolism to slow down.

Anyone can develop thyroid cancer, regardless of age or gender.

If the thyroid gland is overactive or sluggish, the metabolism will be affected, leading to a variety of symptoms.