Hormone, Diabetes and Metabolism Terms

An uncommon type of thyroid tumor that can be benign or malignant.

Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid identical to the body's own cortisol, used both to replace a hormone shortfall and to calm inflammation and immune overactivity.

Blood sugar rising is not felt at first, which is why the level is measured rather than judged from how a person feels.

Overactive parathyroid glands pulling calcium out of bone and into the blood, often found on a routine test before symptoms appear.

Hyperthyroidism speeds up the body's metabolism through excess thyroid hormone, most often caused by Graves disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid gland.

Hyperuricemia is an elevated blood level of uric acid that can result from increased production, reduced excretion, or both.

Too little thyroid hormone.

A drug that blocks the effects of estrogen.

A protein found on the surface of some types of cells that binds to insulin-like growth factor (IGF).

Only the beta cells of the pancreatic islets make insulin, while their alpha cell neighbors make glucagon, the hormone that does the opposite.

A drug used to control the amount of sugar in the blood of patients with diabetes.

A drug used to control the amount of sugar in the blood of patients with diabetes.

A drug used to control the amount of sugar in the blood of patients with diabetes mellitus.

Named for its resemblance to insulin, this protein is the reason growth hormone lengthens bone without acting on it directly.

A protein found on the surface of some types of cells that binds to insulin-like growth factor (IGF).

A small pancreatic tumor that keeps releasing insulin when blood sugar is already low, producing confusing spells of odd behavior.

A measure of what a substance does rather than how much it weighs, agreed internationally so different products can be compared.

A hormone made in the pituitary gland.

Iodine is an essential trace element required to make thyroid hormone, obtained from foods such as iodized salt and seafood.

A pancreatic cell that produces hormones (e.g., insulin and glucagon) that are secreted into the bloodstream.