The Endocrine System and
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
What is the endocrine system?
The body’s endocrine system is made up of glands that make hormones. Hormones are chemical
messengers. Examples are growth hormone and testosterone (the male puberty hormone).
Hormones are important for all body functions including growth, weight, puberty, and bones.
What are corticosteroids?
Corticosteroids, also known as glucocorticoids, are a group of hormones. Man-made
corticosteroid medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone, and deflazacort are used in
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne) to slow down muscle weakness. Although there
are many other types of steroid hormones, we use the word “steroids” in Duchenne to talk
specifically about these corticosteroid medicines. They are different from the anabolic steroids
that are sometimes misused by athletes who want to become stronger.
What are the endocrine problems in Duchenne?
People with Duchenne are not usually born with an endocrine problem. Endocrine problems
may happen in Duchenne if the boys are on steroid medicines for a long time. When steroids are
given every day over a long period, they change the way our body’s natural hormones are made
and work. This can result in changes to growth, weight, puberty, and bone health.
Read these fact sheets to learn more about the endocrine system and Duchenne:
•
Short Stature Information
•
Weight Gain Information
•
Delayed Puberty Information
•
Bone Health Information
Glossary of Endocrine related terms
Bisphosphonates
A group of medicines used to treat low bone density
Body mass index (BMI)
A measure of obesity, taking weight and height into account
Bone age X-ray
An X-ray of the hand to show how young the skeleton is
Bone mineral density
Amount of actual bone mass in a given sized bone
Calcium
A mineral important for strong bones and teeth
Compression fracture
Crush fracture or flattening of vertebra (spine or back bone)
Corticosteroid
A type of steroid hormone; includes “glucocorticoid” hormones (such as natural cortisol and man-made “steroids” for Duchenne)
Deflazacort
A man-made steroid hormone medicine used to treat Duchenne
DXA
Dual X-ray Absorptiometry; an X-ray to measure amount of bone or bone mineral density
Endocrine system
System of glands in the body that produce hormones
Endocrinologist
Doctor who specializes in treating endocrine (hormone) disorders
Fracture
Broken or crushed bone
Glucocorticoid
A type of steroid hormone, such as natural cortisol and man-made “steroids” for Duchenne
Growth chart
A chart for plotting height and weight over time, and comparing to normal standards for same age and sex
Growth failure
Abnormally slow growth
Growth hormone
A hormone that is important for normal growth; man-made versions of this hormone may be used to treat growth disorders
Hormone
Chemical messengers made by glands in the body, which have important functions such as controlling puberty and growth
Obesity
Too much body fat; more body weight than is considered to be healthy. Obesity is officially measured using measures of body mass index (BMI).
Osteoporosis
Decreased bone mass, leading to weak bones and increased chance for fractures
Prednisone, prednisolone
Man-made steroid hormone medicines used to treat Duchenne
Puberty
Physical maturation of the body due to hormones; body changes in boys include hair growth, deepening voice, growth spurt
Short stature
Height below the normal range
Steroids
A group of hormones that have a similar structure.
Note: In Duchenne, this word is used to refer to man-made hormone medicines such as prednisone or deflazacort. These medicines are a type of steroid hormone also known as “glucocorticoids” or “corticosteroids.” They are different from other types of steroids, including the anabolic steroids that may be misused by some athletes.
Testosterone
Male sex hormone
Vertebra
A bone in the spine; note that the spine is made up of many vertebrae
Vitamin D
A hormone that helps the gut absorb calcium from the diet. It is important for strong bones.