ACNE – Spots

ADRENALS – Latin for ‘Near kidney’. Name of small gland producing cortisol.

BENIGN – Not malignant (non-cancerous).

BILATERAL ADRENALECTOMY - Operation to remove both adrenal glands.

CANNULA – A fine tube used for internal vein investigations.

CORTISOL – A Steroid hormone essential for life and health.

C.R.H. – Hormone used in blood tests.

DEXAMETHASONE – A steroid used to check cortisol levels.

DIABETES INSIPIDUS – Water diabetes – large amounts of water passed.

DIABETES MELLITUS – Sugar diabetes – cause by a deficiency of insulin.

ENDOCRINOLOGIST – Specialist in the endocrine system.

HORMONES – Chemicals made in one area of the body which travel to other parts in the blood to do their work.

HYDROCORTISONE – Steroid hormone essential for health.

HYPERTENSION – High blood pressure.

INSOMNIA – Unable to sleep.

LIBIDO – Sex Drive

MALIGNANT – Cancerous

METYRAPONE - An inhibitor used in tests on the adrenal glands.

ODEMA – Fluid retention due to imbalance of sodium and potassium.

OSTEOPOROSIS – Thinning of the bones.

PERIPHERAL VISION – Diminished field of vision.

PITUITARY GLAND – Small gland under the brain producing many hormones and chemicals for the body.

TRANSPHENOIDAL SURGERY – Small operation on the pituitary performed through the nose.

SCAN – Electronic pictures of a part of the inside of the body.

STRIATION – Stretch mark.

STRIAE – Plural of Striation

SYNDROME – As part of condition. Characteristics of a particular disease.

TUMOUR – Latin for ‘lump.