Index – Belföld – Sleep disorders, weight problems, irritability – there may be a hormonal disorder in the background

Two years ago, the European Society of Endocrinology announced European Hormone Day with the aim of dispelling the many misconceptions people have about hormones. On this occasion, the Secretary General of the Hungarian Endocrinology and Metabolism Society spoke to our newspaper about the most common endocrine disorders.

A hormone is a messenger molecule that travels through the blood circulation from the place of production to distant tissues, this is the endocrine effect. We know hundreds of different human hormones

said dr. Peter is right.

Our hormone-producing organs:

• the pituitary gland (one of the main regulators of the hormonal system, which regulates the functioning of the thyroid gland, adrenal cortex and gonads);
• the thyroid gland (and the parathyroid gland, which is important in regulating calcium metabolism);
• the pancreas (produces insulin);
• the adrenal cortex (produces hormones that regulate metabolism, blood pressure and salt-water balance): diseases including the rare Cushing’s syndrome caused by excessive cortisol production (40 new cases per 1 million people per year) and the much more common severe hypertension can cause aldosterone overproduction (one of its forms is Conn’s syndrome); as well as
• the ovaries and testicles.

The production of hormones is finely regulated. The task of the hormone system is to maintain the body’s internal balance, metabolic processes, growth, development, adaptation to the external environment, and blood pressure regulation. The given hormone can only bind to a given receptor, a so-called signaling pathway is opened within the cell.

Obesity can be both a cause and a consequence

One of the public health problems related to the endocrine system is obesity, which can be compared to diabetes, a disease that also affects more and more people. According to statistics, one-third of diabetics are overweight, and two-thirds are obese. A few decades ago, researchers discovered that leptin produced by fat cells plays a key role in appetite regulation.

Leptin reduces appetite. Obesity is characterized by insensitivity to the effects of leptin with weight gain

– noted dr. Peter is right.

The European Society of Endocrinology previously drew attention to the fact that fat cells produce many known hormones, so obesity is also an endocrine problem. As a consequence, insulin resistance and then diabetes may develop, and the body’s testosterone level decreases. Obese people also have a higher incidence of cancer, especially those who have been overweight since childhood. According to surveys, out of 13.7 million European children between the ages of 6 and 9, about 400,000 are severely obese – the European Society of Endocrinology confirmed that this is an increasingly important problem on our continent, which is why hormone disorders are also increasing in frequency.

Thyroid problems are the majority

Disorders of the thyroid gland are quite common, and three-quarters of those affected are women. Hypothyroidism affects 2-3 percent of the population, but forms that can only be detected by laboratory tests are even more common. While 50-100 years ago, goiter and thyroid enlargement were considered a common disease in our country, because our water supply, which is far from the sea, lacks iodine, so most of the plants fed with it contain little iodine, however, after the introduction of iodized salt, the incidence of the disease in our country decreased to a large extent. “As a consequence of iodine deficiency, the ability of the thyroid gland to produce hormones decreases and the gland enlarges, this is called a goiter.”

Today, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland, which affects up to 1-2 percent of Europeans, mainly women, this is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

At the same time, iodine supplementation does not improve Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and may even make it worse, explained the general secretary of MEAT.

Although the frequency of iodine deficiency has decreased in our country, hypothyroidism is still one of the most common endocrine diseases, the symptoms of which are: obesity, weakness, hair loss, constipation, dry skin. In case of hyperactivity, on the contrary, weight loss, agitation, sweating, frequent bowel movements.

These are common symptoms, and chronic fatigue occurs in almost all endocrine and many other diseases

added dr. Peter is right. In order to screen for thyroid diseases, the general practitioner has the right to request a laboratory test, in more special cases he can make a referral to an endocrinologist. The general secretary of MEAT said that many hormonal diseases do not have any noticeable symptoms, they are only detected after a blood test. Most of the hormonal diseases can be treated well with medication, and a healthy lifestyle is also important. These diseases often require lifelong attention, continuous medical control, and in some cases permanent medication.

Vitamin D is not even a vitamin

“Vitamin D supply also has an impact on our hormone balance, 2000 IU (international units) per day is recommended in our climate from the end of autumn to late spring until our body can produce it itself through exposure to sunlight. For this, in addition to sun protection, a suitable surface, at least the face, shoulders, neck and arms, must be exposed to sunlight for 15-20 minutes,” detailed Dr. Peter is right. The endocrinologist also pointed out that it is actually more of a hormone than a vitamin, the lack of which affects our mood, the immune system, the cardiovascular system, helps the incorporation of calcium into the bones, and has an anti-tumor effect. According to a previous representative survey, 95 percent of the Hungarian population is not ideally supplied with vitamin D, and 20 percent develop a critical deficiency.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common hormonal diseases affecting up to 5-18 percent of women, during which androgenic hormones predominate, is characterized by obesity, missed periods, cycle disorders, insulin resistance, and hair growth. The condition can be improved by reducing body weight and regular exercise, but medication may also be necessary, said Péter Igaz.

Misconceptions about hormone therapy

As the endocrinologist pointed out, people have many misconceptions about hormones, and they shy away from medicines with such content. To dispel concerns, Péter Igaz underlined:

If hormone replacement is prescribed by a specialist, only the missing hormone is taken in, so it is beneficial for the body.

Many people don’t know about it, but some plants also contain hormone-like substances in a natural form, for example, there is phytoestrogen in soy, beans and peas.

The European Society of Endocrinology announced its information campaign primarily with the aim of helping people better understand the functioning of their bodies and take steps to preserve the balance of a healthy endocrine system before diseases develop.

This requires, among other things, an adequate intake of vitamin D, iodine and calcium

emphasized dr. Péter is right, adding that regular exercise also has a positive effect on these processes, which can be supported by following a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits as well as omega-3. The European recommendation recommends the use of glass bottles instead of PET bottles, and the avoidance of microwaving plastic containers.

Environmental damage also plays a role

Environmental damage is attributed a serious role in the development of certain diseases, for example in the decrease in male fertility observed worldwide. Today, people are exposed to stimuli from the fetal age that were previously unknown. More than eight hundred chemicals have been identified that negatively affect hormones. We come into contact with hundreds of synthetic materials every day, which are present in our food in addition to cosmetics, and are used to make toys and furniture. Most of them are useful, but there are also some compounds that negatively affect hormones. The European Society of Endocrinology lists several insecticides and herbicides, such as DDT, atrazine, glyphosate, but this includes perfluorocarbons, bisphenol A, as well as phthalates, parabens and triclosan present in many cosmetics.

This year, the European Society of Endocrinology also pointed out that it is important to recognize the symptoms as soon as possible, and that you should consult a specialist as soon as possible. The following complaints are recommended to be investigated in order to clarify their possible endocrine background:

• unexplained weight gain or loss,
• cold sensitivity,
• change in appetite,
• excessive thirst,
• hair loss, brittle hair and nails, increased hair growth,
• acne or dry flaky skin,
• depression,
• early or late puberty: in girls under 8 or over 13, in boys under 9 or over 14,
• in adults, loss of libido, fertility problems, irregular menstrual cycle.

(Cover photo: FluxFactory / Getty Images Hungary)