Rare Conditions

Hormone conditions range from the relatively common, such as diabetes, to several extremely rare conditions.  An endocrine disorder is considered rare or "orphan" if it affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.

Among these rare conditions is acromegaly, a growth disorder in adults caused by an overproduction of growth hormone, usually resulting from a pituitary gland tumor.  Too much growth hormone in children is called gigantism. 

Cushing's syndrome is another rare disorder caused by a hormone imbalance in which too much cortisol is present in the bloodstream, Cushing's syndrome signs and symptoms include weight gain in the upper body, a rounded face with extra fat on the upper back and above the collarbones, osteoporosis, weakness, and depression.

Read more about these and other rare endocrine system diseases, their symptoms, occurrence, and treatment in the fact sheets and patient guides listed below.
 

Fact Sheets

Acromegaly

Cushing’s Syndrome

High Blood Calcium (Hypercalcemia)

Primary Aldosteronism

Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Turner Syndrome

Patient Guides

Patient Guide to the Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual Persons After Pregnancy

Patient Guide to the Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women

Patient Guide to Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Aldosteronism

Patient Guide to the Diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome