Why are blood tests used to diagnose endocrine disorders?

Why are blood tests used to diagnose endocrine disorders? Why is it so important to consider age and sex when diagnosing an endocrine disorder? Case Study 1: A 37-year-old woman goes to her doctor and complains of anxiety, muscle weakness, and depression. Which of the disorders listed on the table above could explain her symptoms? What other symptoms might you look for or what other tests might you run to distinguish between these disorders? Case Study 2: A 34-year-old man complains he is tired a lot and he has lost a substantial amount of weight over the past few months. A routine blood test shows low sodium levels, but his blood glucose levels are normal. What test would you order next? Why? What results could help you make a diagnosis? Case Study 3: Your patient is a 28-year-old woman who has complained of menstrual irregularities and infertility despite actively trying to get pregnant for 14 months. She also mentioned that she has to wax her face a lot due to hair growth. How would you diagnose this patient? Which lab result may explain the hair growth? What does this patient have to be careful of developing in the future? Case Study 4: A seemingly healthy 42-year-old-man comes into the ED with a broken arm. The doctor set the bone with no issue but is concerned that the patient’s bones are unusually weak. The man follows up with an endocrinologist and during that appointment, he reports fatigue and nausea. What disorder could this patient have? How could you confirm the diagnosis?|