Glossary

Question 1

Hyperthyroidism

Answer 1

Over-secretion of thyroid hormones

Question 2

Hypothyroidism

Answer 2

Under-secretion of thyroid hormones

Question 3

Hyperparathyroidism

Answer 3

Abnormally high levels of parathyroid hormones in the blood, resulting in blood calcium levels rising

Question 4

Hypoparathyroidism

Answer 4

Deficiency of parathyroid hormones in the blood, causing deficiencies of calcium and phosphorus, leading to muscle spasms

Question 5

Hypercalcaemia

Answer 5

Calcium blood level is above normal, usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands

Question 6

Hypocalcaemia

Answer 6

Deficiency of calcium in bloodstream

Question 7

Anterior pituitary gland

Answer 7

Lobe of pituitary gland that produces hormones

Question 8

Posterior pituitary gland

Answer 8

Lobe of pituitary gland that stores hormones

Question 9

Galactorrhoea

Answer 9

Breast milk production

Question 10

Amenorrhoea

Answer 10

Lack of periods

Question 11

Cushing’s syndrome

Answer 11

Disorder caused by too much production of cortisol

Question 12

Hirsutism

Answer 12

Abnormal growth of hair on woman’s face and body

Question 13

Static test

Answer 13

Single blood test used to tell the functionality of a gland. Used to diagnose abnormalities of thyroid and sex glands

Question 14

Stimulation test

Answer 14

For hormonal under-secretion where a static test is not enough as range of hormones is too larger

Stimulate a gland to produce a hormone (blood test before and 30 minutes after).

Question 15

Suppression test

Answer 15

For hormonal over-secretion.

Give steroid and test for endogenous steroid production as the addition of external steroids should switch off internal steroid production