EFFECTS OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA ON THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Sickle Cell Anemia does not really effect the endocrine system directly. The usual effect is organ damage from the lack of oxygen and blood flow to those regions. Lack of blood and oxygen to organs such as the pituitary gland can lead to decreased function. This means that the body will not be able to produce and release proper hormones and the correct time to maintain bodily homeostasis. Luckily, this lack of oxygen and blood to the endocrine system's organs usually does not occur enough to the point of organ failure. The true harm that comes from SCA to the endocrine system comes from something that is unexpected.
The main effect of sickle cell anemia on the endocrine system comes not from the disease itself, but from the treatment of the disease. Most treatment of the disease contains high amounts of iron to make up for the iron deficient hemoglobin of a sickle cell anemia patient. Over time, too much iron builds up in the body in a process known as iron overload. The graph on the right shows the progression of iron levels in the body vs the time of the treatment. (8) |
Iron overload has down sides for organs such as the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland secretes a hormone called gonadotropin which stimulates the production of sex hormones such as FSH and testosterone. When the pituitary gland is exposed to too much iron, production/secretion of gonadotropin is significantly decreased. This can lead to delayed or absent puberty and infertility.
(8) |
|Brian Oh|Biology 2|Final Project|5/30/2013|