Hormonal Regulation Flashcards
define hormonal regulation
- Hormonal regulation is physiological mechanisms that regulate the secretion and action of hormones associated with the endocrine system.
- The scope of hormonal regulation can also be thought about from the perspective of the hormones and gland represented.
- This picture identifies locations of organs involved in hormonal regulation:
Pancreas: insulin
Testes: testosterone
Ovaries: estrogen
scope of hormonal regulation
- The scope of hormonal regulation ranges from normal range of circulating hormone (based on physiological need) to abnormal secretion, either in excess or deficient amounts.
- Hypo = too little
- Normal
- Hyper = excessive
Age-Related Variations
Adolescence Variations:
- Puberty: Reproductive glands and hormones remain dormant during childhood. During puberty. The anterior pituitary increases secretion of gonadotropins.
- In the male, this stimulates the maturation of the testes, production of testosterone and the development of external genitalia.
- Female changes include estrogen production, maturation of ovaries leading to ovulation, and development of female associated genital.
Older Adult Variations:
- With advancing age, glands become smaller with reduced hormone production. This does not necessarily lead to hormonal regulation impairments, but the physiological activity of the hormone is reduced which is linked to some common physiological changes associated with aging.
- Fragility can occur in women due to reduction of estrogen production by the ovaries
- Risk for dehydration in older adults in increased due to reduction in production of antidiuretic hormone, which leads to more dilute urine.
- Glands become smaller
- Testosterone in men
- Menopause in women
Consequences of impaired hormonal regulation
- Alterations in growth and development
- Alterations in cognition
- Alterations in metabolism
- Alterations in reproduction
- Changes in growth
- Altered adaptive responses
- The disruption of any hormone production may result in potential complications associated with the underlying condition and the potential for lifetime hormonal replacement therapy.
- Small amounts of growth hormone causing you to no longer be able to grow properly
- Foggy brain with cognition
- Thyroid is the big one for metabolism
- Need to find the cause and either replace the hormone or make it so less of the hormone is produced, sometimes even destroying part of the gland
Risk Factors for Hormonal Imbalances
- Hormonal supplement therapy: taking too much and going into a hyper state
- Advanced age
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Genetics
- Chromosomal deficiencies/abnormalities
- Family history, especially autoimmune responses/conditions
- Stress
- Trauma
- Chronic medical conditions: i.e. thyroid CA
- Cancer treatment
Assessment: Examination
- Because of their location, most glands (except for thyroid gland and testes) are inaccessible to direct examination.
- Vital signs, height, weight
- Inspection: many clues about hormonal balance or imbalance may be noted with a general inspection and critical eye
- skin color and texture, hair texture, body posture, facial characteristic, and affect
- Palpation: thyroid gland, testes, ovaries
- Auscultation: enlarged thyroid, auscultated for bruit
- Help be supportive with care and providing the info we have gathered
- How skin and hair look, are they hungry, are they gaining weight
Screening for imbalances
- Primary lab tests:
Thyroid and – thyroid panel
Diabetic laboratory work - fasting insulin levels, hormone levels in the blood - Screening recommendations for:
Infants: include routine newborn uniform congenital and thyroid screening for 31 core conditions. Blood sample in multiple spots on a card to test for
At-risk adults: pertinent to screen for thyroid and diabetes
Secondary Prevention refers to the early identification of the disease so prompt treatment can be initiated.
