The Endocrine System at a Glance provides a highly illustrated and unambiguous introduction to the basic principles and mechanisms of endocrinology and the key endocrine organs, followed by sections on reproductive and metabolic endocrinology. Clinical scenarios contextualise the basic science and illustrate how endocrine conditions present, are diagnosed, and are treated on the wards.This third edition:* Includes new material on basic diagnostic tests used in the diagnosis of endocrine disorders* Features new material on cancer and endocrinology* Includes MCQs for each chapterThe Endocrine System at a Glance is ideal for all medical students studying endocrinology and revising for final exams, as well as preparing for clinical attachments. The book is also suitable for those training in allied health professions and nurses specialising in endocrinology.

Preface to the Third Edition 6Preface to the First Edition 7Part 1 Fundamentals1. Introduction 82. Chemical transmission 103. Mechanisms of hormone action:I Membrane receptors 124. Mechanisms of hormone action:II Intracellular receptors 145. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland 166. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone: a peptide hormone 187. Principles of feedback control 208. Endocrine function tests 22Part 2 Growth9. Growth: I Cellular growth factors 2410. Growth: II Normal growth 2611. Growth: III Growth hormone 2812. Growth: IV Pathophysiology 30Part 3 Thyroid13. Thyroid: I Thyroid gland and thyroid hormones 3214. Thyroid: II Thyroid hormone secretion and action 3415. Thyroid: III Thyroid pathophysiology 36Part 4 Adrenals and autoimmunity16. Adrenal gland: I Adrenal medulla 3817. Adrenal gland: II Adrenocortical hormones 4018. Adrenal gland: III Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) 4219. Adrenal gland: IV Cortisol and androgens 4420. Adrenal gland: V Aldosterone 4621. Adrenal gland: VI Pathophysiology 4822. Endocrine autoimmunity 50Part 5 Sexual differentiation and development23. Sexual differentiation and development:I Introduction 5224. Sexual differentiation and development: II Puberty 54Part 6 Female reproduction25. Female reproduction: I Menstrual cycle 5626. Female reproduction: II Ovarian steroids 5827. Female reproduction: III Pregnancy 6028. Female reproduction: IV Parturition and lactation 6229. Female reproduction: V Pathophysiology 6430. Female reproduction: VI Contraception 66Part 7 Male reproduction31. Male reproduction: I The testis 6832. Male reproduction: II Actions of androgens 7033. Male reproduction: III Pathophysiology 72Part 8 Posterior pituitary hormones, salt and water balance and hypertension34. Oxytocin 7435. Vasopressin 7636. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system 7837. Endocrine hypertension 80Part 9 Metabolic endocrinology: Pancreas and gastrointestinal tract38. Insulin: I The pancreas and insulin secretion 8239. Insulin: II Insulin action 8440. Insulin: III Type 1 diabetes mellitus 8641. Insulin: IV Type 2 diabetes mellitus 8842. Glucagon 9043. Gastrointestinal hormones 92Part 10 Metabolic endocrinology: Energy homoeostasis and obesity44. Energy homoeostasis: I Summary 9445. Energy homoeostasis: II Central control 9646. Obesity: I Causes of obesity 9847. Obesity: II Cardiovascular andrespiratory complications 10048. Obesity: III Insulin resistance andendocrine complications 102Part 11 Calcium and metabolic bone disease49. Calcium: I Parathyroid hormone 10450. Calcium: II Calcitonin 10651. Calcium: III Vitamin D 10852. Bone remodelling 11053. Metabolic bone disease: I Paget's disease 11254. Metabolic bone disease:II Primary osteoporosis 11455. Metabolic bone disease: III Secondary osteoporosis 116Part 12 Self assessmentMCQs 118Answers 133Appendix: Normal Values 136Glossary 137Index 139