Endocrine Pathophysiology

Endocrine Pathophysiology concentrates on the basic principles of endocrine pathophysiology and is designed to aid the preclinical and new clinical trainee navigate this complex and changing field. Since it is more important to provide a framework within which students can begin to solve problems than to provide exhaustive detail, the book focuses upon the pathophysiologic basis of disease and the science underlying new treatments, rather than on the details of treatment.

Endocrine Pathophysiology begins with a brief review of hormones and receptor interactions. The discussion of specific areas of endocrinology begins with the pituitary gland, the master gland," which, together with the hypothalamus, controls many target glands. This is followed by discussions of other classic glands of the endocrine system: the thyroid and adrenal glands and their disorders; the parathyroid glands and regulation of calcium homeostasis; and normal and abnormal hormonal regulation of blood glucose by the endocrine pancreas. Subsequent sections cover lipid disorders and obesity, emphasising control of fuel and energy metabolism. The book concludes with the sections on the complex hormone regulation of male and female reproduction, growth, sexual development, puberty, pregnancy, and lactation, which are affected by all of the hormone systems described previously.