570
P A R T 6
Drugs acting on the endocrine system
■■
Hyperthyroidism, or higher-than-normal levels of
thyroid hormone, is treated with thioamides, which
block the thyroid from producing thyroid hormone,
or with iodines, which prevent thyroid hormone
production or destroy parts of the gland.
■■
The parathyroid glands are located behind the
thyroid gland and produce PTH, which works with
calcitonin, produced by thyroid cells, to maintain the
calcium balance in the body.
■■
Hypocalcaemia, or low levels of calcium, is treated
with vitamin D products and calcium replacement
therapy.
■■
Hypercalcaemia and hypercalcaemic states include
postmenopausal osteoporosis and Paget’s disease,
as well as hypercalcaemia related to malignancy.
■■
Hypercalcaemia is treated with bisphosphonates
or calcitonin. Bisphosphonates slow or block bone
resorption, which lowers serum calcium levels.
Calcitonin inhibits bone resorption, lowers serum
calcium levels in children and in people with Paget’s
disease, and increases the excretion of phosphate,
calcium and sodium from the kidney.
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you to
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ONLINE RESOURCES
An extensive range of additional resources to enhance teaching
and learning and to facilitate understanding of this chapter may
be found online at the text’s accompanying website, located on
thePoint at
These include Watch and
Learn videos, Concepts in Action animations, journal articles,
review questions, case studies, discussion topics and quizzes.
WEB LINKS
Healthcare providers and students may want to consult
the following Internet source:
Information on osteoporosis—support groups,
screening, treatment and research.
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