Endocrine system.

Hormones control everything. This programme discusses what happens when glands go wrong - the pancreas, thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands - the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Diabetes comes in two forms, Type 1 needing insulin injections, and Type 2 mostly controlled by diet, but both have serious effects on blood vessels in the eyes, kidney, heart and central nervous system. Diabetics need insulin, but also to control their weight and watch their blood sugar levels. Recent improvement in injections make life easier now for diabetics, and soon Islets of Langerhans may be transferred into the pancreas. It can be difficult to diagnose an underactive thyroid, as blood tests may not be accurate, but synthetic thyroxin is usually effective in treating it. Dr Durrant-Peatfield, however, prefers natural extract of thyroxin. A rare tumour of the adrenal gland can cause dramatic changes in blood pressure and cause heart attacks. 50% such of cases are only diagnosed after death. Injections of growth hormone can help people who are very short, due to an underactive pituitary gland.