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age-associated changes in the endocrine system
The endocrine system undergoes change with aging.
Physiology:
1) pulsatile secretions are attenuated
- asynchony between pituitary hormones & target organ hormone secretion, i.e. LH & testosterone [5]
2) atrophy of pituitary, thyroid & thymus
- pituitary changes are minimal [5]
3) increased
- FSH* & LH*, PTH, insulin, leupeptin, vasopressin, erythropoietin, leptin [5]
- basal & stimulated atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
- basal & stress-induced norepinephrine
4) diminished
-> estradiol*, testosterone (total & free), T3, growth hormone, IGF-1, renin, angiotensin-2, DHEA, DHEA-sulfate, pregnenolone, progesterone*, androsterone, androstenedione, estrone*
5) unchanged
- cortisol, aldosterone. epinephrine. thyroxine
6) decreased diurnal variation in melatonin secretion by the pineal [5]
7) menopause
8) impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, increased serum insulin, decreased beta-cell mass, impaired beta-cell function [5]
9) diminished production of vitamin D by skin * change in women, variable in men
Related
age-related endocrinopathy
endocrine disease
endocrine system
Specific
age-associated changes in calcium homeostasis
General
age-related physiological changes
References
- Essentials of Clinical Geriatrics, 4th ed, Kane RL et al (eds)
McGraw Hill, NY, 1999
- UCLA Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine & Board
Review, Marina Del Ray, CA, Sept 29-Oct 2, 2004
- The Merck Manual of Geriatrics, 3rdh ed, Merck & Co,
Rahway NJ, 2000
- Taffet GE, Physiology of Aging,
In: Geriatric Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach, 4th ed,
Cassel CK et al (eds), Springer-Verlag, New York, 2003
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 7th edition
Parada JT et al (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2010
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 8th edition (GRS8)
Durso SC and Sullivan GN (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2013
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 10th edition (GRS10)
Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2019