Hormonal system
Hormonal disorders
Adrenal, pituitary and sex-hormone disorders, reproductive endocrinology, bone health and paediatric endocrinology. Before treatment, the cause is confirmed with hormonal tests.
Adrenal & pituitary
Hormonal disorders
Late acromegaly causes serious complications
Excess growth hormone in adulthood leads to acromegaly, in childhood to gigantism. Disproportionate growth of hands, feet and jaw, raised sugar and blood pressure are key consequences. Diagnosis is by GH, IGF-1 and pituitary MRI; the main treatment is surgical.
Addison's disease can be missed
Weakness, weight loss of up to 10-15 kg, low blood pressure, nausea and skin darkening (especially gums, nail beds, folds) are signs of Addison's. The cause is cortisol deficiency; treatment is replacement therapy.
Prolactinoma is usually treated with medication
A benign pituitary tumour. Diagnosis is by pituitary MRI. The great majority respond well to medication; surgery is rarely needed.
Two of three criteria are enough to diagnose PCOS
Androgen excess, multiple ovarian cysts and ovulation dysfunction — two of three are enough for PCOS. Weight reduction plays a central role in treatment.
Conditions
- Cushing's syndrome
- Addison's disease
- Prolactinoma
- Pituitary disease
- Acromegaly and gigantism
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Phaeochromocytoma, hyperaldosteronism
- PCOS and hormonal infertility
- Hirsutism (Ferriman-Gallwey scale)
- Androgen excess and cycle disorders
Reproductive endocrinology
Infertility and pregnancy planning
AMH and ovarian reserve
AMH shows ovarian reserve in women. It is assessed when pregnancy does not occur for over a year, with suspected PCOS and in IVF planning.
Pre-pregnancy check-up
Thyroid function (TSH, FT4), prolactin, autoimmune antibodies and, where needed, PCOS are assessed. Thyroid targets differ in pregnancy, so planning ahead matters.
- Infertility diagnosis (female and male)
- Ovarian reserve determination
- Thyroid disease in pregnancy
- Androgen excess and cycle disorders
Parathyroid & bone
Osteoporosis, parathyroid and vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency affects bones and metabolism
For adults vitamin D is roughly 800-2000 IU per day, with the dose set by the doctor based on blood levels. Vitamin D behaves as both a hormone and a vitamin.
Do not take high-dose vitamin D on your own
Long-term high doses can cause toxicity: hypercalcaemia, kidney stones and kidney damage. The dose must be set by a blood test.
- Parathyroid adenoma
- Hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcaemia
- Primary hypoparathyroidism
- Osteoporosis (T-score)
- Densitometry interpretation
- Bone turnover markers
Paediatric endocrinology
Growth, puberty and thyroid in children
When to seek help for growth delay?
In children over 4, annual growth below 4 cm is a signal. Bone age is determined by an X-ray of the left wrist and compared with biological age. Early diagnosis helps preserve growth potential.
- Growth delay
- Bone age assessment
- Early/late puberty
- Thyroid disease in children and adolescents
- Gigantism and growth hormone disorders
FAQ
Questions about hormonal disorders
What to do if there are signs of acromegaly?
Increasing ring and shoe size, growth of the jaw and tongue, coarsening of facial features, headaches and frequent sweating are signs of acromegaly. A pituitary tumour may be the cause. Urgent endocrine examination and pituitary MRI are needed; early diagnosis improves surgical success.
What is the AMH test for?
AMH shows ovarian reserve in women and testicular reserve in men. The normal value is roughly 2-5 ng/ml (varies by lab). It is used when pregnancy does not occur for over a year, with suspected PCOS, in IVF planning and to assess approaching menopause.
Is an endocrine check-up needed before pregnancy?
Yes. Checking thyroid function (TSH, FT4), autoimmune antibodies, prolactin, and where needed AMH and PCOS assessment is recommended. Thyroid targets differ in pregnancy, and pre-planned treatment benefits the baby's development.
My child is shorter than peers. What should I do?
In children over 4, annual growth below 4 cm is a signal. Bone age is determined by an X-ray of the left wrist and compared with biological age. Early diagnosis allows a treatment plan to be made.
Can I take a medication that helped another patient?
No. Two patients with the same diagnosis may need different treatment. Age, weight, comorbidities, test results and allergies individualise the choice. Every treatment is prescribed by the doctor individually.
Book a hormonal assessment
Describe your complaints on WhatsApp. Treatment is prescribed only after examination and tests, individually.