Obesity and Clinical Endocrinology

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are commonly found in food and food containers, furniture, plastic products, toys, building materials, carpeting, and cosmetics. They are usually released from the products that contain them and enter the bodies of humans and wildlife through dust or through the food chain. A large volume of studies have shown that Endocrine disrupting chemicals exert their effects by interfering with endogenous hormone action and can impact male and female reproduction, breast development and cancer, prostate cancer, metabolism and obesity, neuroendocrinology, thyroid and cardiovascular endocrinology.

Critical endocrine principles that are relevant to risk assessment as it applies to Endocrine disrupting chemicals. In its Statement of Principles, the Society recommends that endocrine principles be incorporated into programs by the EPA and different agencies charged with evaluating chemicals for endocrine-disrupting potential.

Several endocrine abnormalities are reported in obesity. A number of these abnormalities are considered as causative factors for the development of obesity, whereas others are considered to be secondary effects of obesity and usually are restored after weight loss. Thyroid hormones sometimes are normal in obesity, with the exception of T3 that is elevated. Prolactin is normal but prolactin response to various stimuli is blunted. Growth hormone is low and GH response to stimuli is blunted. IGF-I levels are normal or elevated. Cortisol, ACTH, and urine free cortisol levels are generally normal; however, a hyperresponsiveness of the HPA axis with enhanced cortisol and ACTH response to stimulatory tests is observed in centrally obese individuals. Total testosterone and SHBG levels are low, however free testosterone levels are typically normal in obese men. LH and FSH levels usually are normal and estrogens are elevated. Norepinephrine levels are elevated, though epinephrine levels are low or normal. Aldosterone levels are raised however renin activity is typically normal. Parathyroid hormone levels are elevated with normal serum calcium levels and enhanced urine calcium levels. Monogenic mutations that result in severe obesity have been described in few people. Likewise, several endocrine diseases have obesity as one their clinical signs. Hypothyroidism, GH and testosterone deficiency, Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothalamic lesions, insulinoma and genetic syndromes often present with obesity. In most of these conditions, proper treatment of the primary disease results in weight reduction. Also, the fat cell has been observed to be an endocrine organ that produces several peptides that are bioactive and participate in the regulation of adipocyte function.

Contact details:
Alina Grace
Program Manager | Obesity Middle East 2019
Mail Id:obesityendo@mehealthevents.org