The most common cause is the use of steroid drugs, but it can also occur from overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands.

Signs are a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks.

Treatment options include reducing steroid use, surgery, radiation, and medication.

Initially, inflammation of the thyroid causes a leak resulting in excess thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). Over time, the inflammation prevents the thyroid from producing enough hormones (hypothyroidism).

Symptoms include fatigue and unexplained weight gain.

Treatment with synthetic hormone medications is usually effective.

A common cause of dwarfism is a genetic mutation that affects bone growth.

Dwarfism is generally defined as an adult height of four feet 10 inches or less. The average adult height in dwarfism is four feet. Common complications include bowing of the legs, hunching of the back, and crowded teeth.

Treatments are aimed at reducing complications. Surgery may help stabilize and correct the shape of the spine. Hormone therapy may increase final height in some cases.

Common symptoms include breast discharge and irregular menstrual periods in women. Men may experience decreased sexual desire and breast enlargement. Prolactinoma can cause impaired vision and infertility.

Some people have no symptoms. Others may notice a lump in the neck.

Treatments, which are usually successful, include surgery, hormone therapy, radioactive iodine, radiation, and in some cases chemotherapy.

The most common cause of goiters worldwide is a lack of iodine in the diet. In the United States, where the use of iodized salt is common, a goiter is more often due to the over- or underproduction of thyroid hormones or to nodules in the gland itself.

Hypothyroidism's deficiency of thyroid hormones can disrupt such things as heart rate, body temperature, and all aspects of metabolism. Hypothyroidism is most prevalent in older women.

Major symptoms include fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation, dry skin, and unexplained weight gain.

Treatment consists of thyroid hormone replacement.

Hyperthyroidism is the production of too much thyroxine hormone. It can increase metabolism.

Symptoms include unexpected weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and irritability, although the elderly often experience no symptoms.

Treatments include radioactive iodine, medications, and sometimes surgery.

It typically appears in adolescence.

Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision.

Treatment aims at maintaining normal blood sugar levels through regular monitoring, insulin therapy, diet, and exercise.

With type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin, or it resists insulin.

Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, there may be no symptoms.

Treatments include diet, exercise, medication, and insulin therapy.

The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome isn't well understood, but may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms include menstrual irregularity, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity.

Treatments include birth control pills to regularize periods, a medication called metformin to prevent diabetes, statins to control high cholesterol, hormones to increase fertility, and procedures to remove excess hair.