Metabolic disorders - symptoms

Metabolism in the living body( metabolism) is a spectrum of chemical reactions that maintain the constancy of the internal environment. Due to the transformation of some compounds into other individuals, it grows, develops, reproduces, resists the effects of the environment.

Conditionally, the metabolism can be divided into:

1. carbohydrate;
2. lipid( fatty);
3. protein;
4. water-salt( mineral).

Violations of all kinds of metabolism are associated with genetic causes and acquired diseases. Quite often the metabolism becomes pathological due to endocrine diseases. Changes in the balance of hormones lead to a slowdown, acceleration or other disturbances of chemical reactions in the body.

Causes of hormonal disorders of metabolism

Almost any endocrine disease is accompanied by a metabolic disorder. Hormones of endocrine glands come directly into the blood and regulate the work of all organs and systems.

In the most pronounced form, metabolism suffers with:

• diabetes mellitus;
• insulinoma;
• for obesity;
• hypothyroidism;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• hypercortisy;
• hypoaldosteronism;
• hyperaldosteronism;
• hypoparathyroidism;
• hyperparathyroidism;
• diabetes insipidus.

Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism

Diabetes mellitus primarily affects the carbohydrate metabolism component. With this pathology there is a violation of glucose uptake by tissues. As a result, cells lack the energy they need. And the concentration of glucose in the blood plasma begins to grow. Excess glucose acts as a poison on the body. Abundance of this carbohydrate affects the vessels, nerves, kidneys, liver, etc.

Serious complications develop:

• peripheral neuropathy( affection of sensory and motor neurons);
• autonomic neuropathy( affection of vegetative neurons);
• encephalopathy( affection of the central parts of the nervous system);
• nephropathy( kidney damage);
• fatty hepatosis( liver damage);
• retinopathy( damage to the vessels of the fundus);
• cataract;
• , diabetic foot syndrome, etc.

In cells, due to a lack of glucose, the synthesis of ATP( adenosine triphosphate) and the uptake of oxygen are disrupted. To obtain energy, tissues begin to actively store stored fats. This leads to the accumulation of ketone bodies and other acid products in the blood. As a result, the pH of the blood decreases. After the development of acidosis, compensatory mechanisms are triggered( including hyperventilation).Patients observe deep noisy breathing. In the exhaled air there is a smell of acetone.

Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by a multistage metabolic disorder. At the beginning, carbohydrate metabolism suffers. Further in the process enter the remaining links.

Insulinoma is a rare disease that disrupts glucose metabolism. With such a tumor in the body produces an excess of the hormone beta cells of the pancreas. Too high concentration of insulin in the blood leads to a metabolic disturbance, in part opposed to diabetes mellitus.

Patients are observed:

• episodes of severe hypoglycemia;
• increased appetite;
• weight gain.

Hypoglycemia manifests a tremor in the whole body, sweating, rapid pulses, severe hunger. In severe cases, loss of consciousness occurs. Hypoglycemic coma can result in the death of the patient. Especially strongly from low sugar in the blood cells of the brain suffer. Even 1-2 episodes of severe hypoglycemia can lead to irreversible consequences: memory impairment, loss of intelligence, the appearance of personality changes.

Disorders of lipid metabolism

Disturbances in the balance of fats in the body are manifested, first of all, by dyslipidemia. At the same time, biochemical blood tests show characteristic changes.

Usually they reveal:

• increase in the level of total cholesterol;
• increased blood triglyceride levels;
• increase in the level of low and very low density lipoproteins;
• decrease in the concentration of high-density lipoproteins.

These disorders increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Blood lipids damage the vascular wall, provoke local inflammation and the deposition of cholesterol plaques. As a result, the lumen of the vessel narrows and the blood flow worsens. If tissues and organs lack oxygen and useful substances, then ischemia develops.

Atherosclerosis is a systemic process. All large vessels in the body suffer. The most important clinical significance is damage to the vessels of the heart, brain, limbs. It is atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries of these pools that cause cardiovascular disasters. Consequences of lipid metabolism violation - myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke, etc.

To the development of pathology of fat metabolism lead:

• hypothyroidism;
• hypercortisy;
• diabetes;
• is an alimentary obesity.

In hypothyroidism, thyroid function is suppressed. Thyroid hormones are not enough to maintain the normal rate of chemical reactions. In the liver, the processes of fat synthesis are started. In the blood sharply increases the level of cholesterol and its atherogenic fractions. Hypothyroidism quickly leads to the development of vascular complications, even at a young age.

Hypercortisy is a condition of increased functional activity of the adrenal cortex. First of all, the natural glucocorticoid cortisol is actively synthesized. This hormone helps increase the percentage of fat tissue and redistribution of subcutaneous fat. Extra pounds are mostly deposited on the abdomen, face, chest, shoulders. Limbs, on the contrary, lose in volume.

Diabetes improves lipid metabolism due to hyperglycemia on the liver. Excess glucose and the presence of insulin resistance increase the production of excess cholesterol. With diabetes, the concentration of triglycerides of blood is especially high.

Alimentary obesity is overweight due to inherited factors and an incorrect lifestyle. It is believed that this disease is not associated with a specific hormonal failure. In fact, adipose tissue is the most massive endocrine organ of a person. Naturally, obesity is accompanied by certain hormonal changes. It is believed that the deposition of excess kilograms contributes to an insufficient level of leptin or low sensitivity to this substance.

Obesity is also subdivided by the types of adipose tissue. For men, the abdominal type is characteristic. With this obesity, an excess of kilograms is deposited in the abdomen. This type of disease is less favorable than the female type of obesity( preferential fat deposition in the hip area).

The male type of obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome. This condition is actually hereditary. The cause of violations are insulin resistance.

Male type of obesity is often accompanied by:

• type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• dyslipidemia;
• gout;
• arterial hypertension.

Disorders of protein metabolism

The pathology of protein metabolism in endocrine diseases is manifested mainly by a violation of protein synthesis. These changes may be associated with a decrease in the number of amino acids, a violation of the qualitative composition of amino acids, an imbalance in the activity of enzymes, a deterioration in the regulation of the digestive system, etc.

Suppression of the synthesis of necessary proteins in the body contributes to:

• deficiency of growth hormone( STH);
• lack of sex steroids( hypogonadism);
• hyperthyroidism;
• hypercortisy.

HGH is released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. This central part of the endocrine system is part of the brain. Lack of STH may be associated with hereditary factors, genetic malfunction or damage to the pituitary gland. The tissue of the pituitary gland can be destroyed by a growing tumor, a hematoma. Also, STH-producing cells may suffer from ischemia, hypoxia, trauma. Often, a shortage of growth hormone leads to radical treatment( radiotherapy, surgery).In childhood, the deficiency of STH is manifested primarily in the lag in growth. In adult men, this pathology leads to a decrease in muscle mass, strength and endurance.

Hypogonadism has a similar effect on the metabolism. With a deficiency of testosterone in the male body, the synthesis of amino acids falls. As a result, new muscle fibers are not formed, and existing ones - atrophy. A man loses muscle strength, his physique changes. Adipose tissue becomes relatively large, the volume of the shoulder girdle decreases.

Thyrotoxicosis and hypercortisy are diseases that accompany the increased disintegration of proteins. In the first case, an excessive utilization of amino acids leads to an excess of thyroid hormones, in the second - cortisol. With thyrotoxicosis and hypercortisy, a man can experience severe hunger, eat a lot and still lose muscle mass. All incoming and existing proteins are used for the synthesis of glucose. As a result, the musculature loses volume. With thyrotoxicosis, a man usually loses weight. With hypercortisy, weight can be stable or even grow( due to adipose tissue).

Violations of water-salt metabolism

Complex systems in the body work to maintain the consistency of the internal environment. Balance is achieved due to the balance of incoming and outgoing water, mineral salts.

A lack of fluid in the body can cause:

• to fall in blood pressure;
• decrease in circulating blood volume;
• decrease in the volume of the intercellular fluid.

Excess water is also extremely dangerous for humans. In severe cases, this imbalance can cause brain edema and death.

Water exchange is largely determined by the work of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. These central endocrine glands synthesize and release into the blood a special hormone - antidiuretin. If the hormone is small, then diabetes insipidus is diagnosed. In patients with this pathology, there is a strong thirst, frequent urination, dry skin, low blood pressure.

Excessive inadequate secretion of antidiuretin leads to no less severe disease - Parkhon syndrome. In this state, an excess fluid accumulates in the body, and the level of sodium in the plasma decreases. As a result, general weakness develops, vomiting, convulsions, coma.

The level of electrolytes in the blood is affected by different endocrine glands. To a greater degree, the parathyroid glands and the adrenal glands( glomerular layer) are responsible for the mineral metabolism.

In the parathyroid glands, a special hormone( parathyroid hormone) is produced. Excess of this biologically active compound provokes hyperparathyroidism. It is characterized by an increase in the level of calcium and a decrease in the level of phosphorus in the blood.

This metabolic abnormality manifests itself:

• decreased bone mineral density;
• by the appearance of stones in the kidneys, gall bladder;
• development of pancreatitis and gastric ulcer;
• psychopathy( up to the development of psychosis);
• myopathy.

If the parathormone is synthesized a little, then the reverse state develops - hypoparathyroidism. In this condition, a deficiency of calcium in the blood and a relative excess of phosphorus are recorded.

Patients are observed:

• convulsions;
• multiple caries;
• vegetative disorders( sweating, a feeling of heat, a change in taste sensitivity);
• mental disorders( depression, anxiety, neurosis, decreased intelligence, insomnia).

The glomerular layer of the adrenal glands produces aldosterone. If this hormone is not enough( hypoaldosteronism), then the body loses water and sodium ions. A surplus of aldosterone leads to hypertension, fluid retention and sodium, loss of potassium.

Correction of metabolic disorders

Carbohydrate metabolism therapy

Several groups of drugs are used to correct disorders of carbohydrate metabolism. In diabetes, insulin solution and tableted hypoglycemic agents( for example, from the sulfanylurea group) are most effective. For the pathogenetic treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, metformin tablets are used. This substance eliminates the cause of metabolic disorders - insulin resistance.

Treatment of hypoglycemia is reduced to the introduction of a solution of glucose, steroids, glucagon. The most effective measure for insulinoma is surgical intervention.

Therapy of fat and protein metabolism

Adipose metabolism is corrected by diet, lipid-lowering drugs( statins, fibrates, omega-3 and omega-6).Also, the use of hepatoprotectors can be effective in reducing cholesterol.

To reduce excess weight with obesity help:

• dietary restrictions;
• physical activity;
• medication;
• operation.

To normalize fat and protein metabolism in diseases of the thyroid gland and adrenal gland is also helped by specific treatment. Hypothyroidism is corrected by synthetic thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is suppressed by thyreostatics, radioactive iodine or surgical intervention. With hypercorticism, the main method of treatment is surgery.

Therapy of water-salt metabolism

If water-salt and mineral metabolism is violated, appropriate treatment is required.

For the treatment of diabetes insipidus use synthetic antidiuretin. Parkhon's syndrome is corrected by a strict restriction of fluid intake.

Hypoparathyroidism usually requires the use of calcium and vitamin D. When hyperparathyroidism is more often performed surgical treatment.

Hyperaldosteronism is eliminated through surgery or conservative therapy( diuretics).Hypoaldosteronism is corrected by the administration of sodium chloride, liquid and synthetic mineralocorticoids.

Physician-endocrinologist Tsvetkova IG

Recommended for viewing: