Endocrinology Glossary: Growth, Thyroid, Puberty & Hormone Terms

This glossary explains common endocrinology terms in plain language, especially the words families and patients run into when researching growth concerns, puberty timing, thyroid disorders, and menopause/hormone therapy.

If you’re trying to connect symptoms to next steps, this page is designed to help you get oriented quickly with clear, plain-language definitions tied to common endocrine concerns and treatment paths. 

This content is for education only, and your clinician should confirm what applies to your situation.

 

Browse by Letter
A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I
L	M	P	R	S	T	V	W

 

A

Adrenal glands
Adrenal glands are two small glands above the kidneys that produce hormones that help regulate stress response, blood pressure, salt balance, and metabolism.

Andropause (male menopause)
Andropause is a non-medical term sometimes used to describe age-related hormone changes in men, often associated with symptoms like lower energy, mood changes, reduced libido, and changes in body composition.

Autoimmune thyroid disease
Autoimmune thyroid disease is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, commonly causing either hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s) or hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease).

B

BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy)
BHRT is a term for hormone therapy that uses hormones chemically identical to those the human body produces, and it may refer to FDA-approved products or compounded formulations, depending on the prescription.

BMI (body mass index)
BMI is a screening number calculated from height and weight that helps track weight status over time, but BMI does not directly measure body fat or muscle mass.

Bone age (bone age X-ray)
Bone age is an X-ray, usually of the hand and wrist, used to estimate skeletal maturity and remaining growth potential. 

Prefer transparent pricing? See bone age X-ray pricing.

C

Constitutional delay of growth and puberty
Constitutional delay of growth and puberty is a common normal growth pattern in which a child grows and enters puberty later than peers. Still, it often reaches an adult height consistent with family genetics.

Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome is a condition caused by excess cortisol that can affect growth, weight, blood pressure, and energy, and in children may present as weight gain with slowed height growth.

D

Delayed puberty
Delayed puberty is when puberty starts later than expected for a child’s age and developmental stage, and delayed puberty may be a normal family pattern or related to nutrition, chronic illness, or hormone signaling issues. 

If puberty timing is affecting confidence or growth planning: Explore Delayed Puberty care.

Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated because the body does not make enough insulin or does not use insulin effectively, and diabetes can affect energy, weight, and long-term health if not managed.

E

Early puberty (precocious puberty)
Early puberty is when puberty-related physical changes begin earlier than expected; it can affect emotional well-being and may reduce adult height potential if bones mature too quickly. 

Early puberty can change growth timing—getting clarity helps: Explore Early Puberty care.

Endocrinologist
An endocrinologist is a physician who specializes in hormone-related conditions, including growth, puberty, thyroid disorders, metabolism, and reproductive hormones.

Estrogen therapy
Estrogen therapy is a type of hormone therapy that uses estrogen to treat symptoms related to perimenopause and menopause, especially hot flashes and night sweats, and it is individualized based on health history and goals.

F

Familial short stature (family-pattern short stature)
Familial short stature is when a child is shorter than most kids their age because shorter height runs in the family, not because of an illness or hormone problem. In familial short stature, a child usually grows steadily over time, and their adult height often resembles that of close relatives.

Free T4 (thyroxine)
Free T4 is a thyroid hormone measured on blood tests, and free T4 reflects the portion of the hormone available for the body to use.

G

Genetics
Genetics is the study of genes and heredity, explaining how traits like height, eye color, and certain health risks can be passed from parents to children through DNA. Genetics helps explain why family members may share similar physical traits and growth patterns.

GH (growth hormone)
Growth hormone, also called GH, is an important hormone for growth and metabolism, and in children, it supports normal growth velocity and development.

Graves’ disease
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that often causes hyperthyroidism, meaning the thyroid produces more hormone than the body needs.

Growth chart
A growth chart is a tool used to track height, weight, and BMI over time, compared with age-based percentiles; patterns over time are usually more meaningful than a single measurement.

Growth concerns
Growth concerns are worries about a child’s height, growth rate, or development, such as growing slower than peers, dropping percentiles, or not entering puberty as expected. 

Not sure if the pattern is normal or not? Start here: Schedule a Growth Concerns visit.

Growth FastTrack™ Process
The Growth FastTrack™ Process is The Endocrine Company’s structured evaluation pathway designed to move families from concern to clarity efficiently using growth pattern review, targeted testing, bone age imaging, and next-step planning when needed. 

Want faster clarity (bone age + next steps without delays)? See Growth FastTrack™.

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Growth hormone deficiency is a condition in which the body produces too little growth hormone, and it can be associated with slowed growth velocity and other findings that require a full evaluation. 

If growth has slowed for 6–12 months or percentiles are dropping: Start a Growth Concerns evaluation.

Growth hormone stimulation test (stim test)
A growth hormone stimulation test, also called a stim test, is a structured test that evaluates how the body releases growth hormone after specific medications are administered to stimulate its release.

Growth plates
Growth plates are areas of growing tissue near the ends of long bones, and when growth plates close, height growth slows and eventually stops.

Growth velocity
Growth velocity is how quickly a child grows over time, often measured in inches or centimeters per year, and a drop in growth velocity can be an important reason to evaluate growth. 

A trend matters more than one measurement: See when to look closer.

H

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that commonly causes hypothyroidism, meaning the thyroid does not produce enough hormone.

Hormone therapy (HT or HRT)
Hormone therapy, also called HT or HRT, is medication used to replace hormones that decline during perimenopause and menopause, and it is most commonly estrogen with additional hormones depending on the person’s needs and medical history.

Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive, producing more hormone than the body needs. Symptoms can include heat intolerance, palpitations, anxiety, weight loss, and sleep disruption, and symptoms vary by person. 

If symptoms + labs aren’t adding up, get a clear plan: See Thyroid Disorders care.

Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive, producing less hormone than the body needs. Symptoms can include fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation, dry skin, hair changes, weight gain, and slowed growth in children, and symptoms vary by person.

I

IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1)
IGF-1 is a blood test often used in growth evaluations because IGF-1 levels can reflect growth hormone activity over time and are interpreted alongside growth patterns and other findings.

Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells do not respond well to insulin, making it harder to keep blood sugar stable, and it can be connected to weight changes and metabolic concerns. 

When weight changes feel “stuck,” evaluation beats guessing: Explore medically-supervised weight loss.

L

Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone T4 that is commonly used to treat hypothyroidism.

Liothyronine
Liothyronine is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone T3 that is used in specific clinical situations and is not appropriate for everyone.

Low testosterone (Low T)
Low testosterone, also called Low T, is when testosterone levels are lower than expected for age and clinical context, and it may be associated with fatigue, reduced muscle mass, mood changes, and low libido. 

If this sounds familiar and you want a clinician-guided plan: See Men’s Health + Vitality for Him™ options.

M

Menopause
Menopause is the point in time when a person has gone 12 months without a menstrual period, marking the end of menstrual cycles, and symptoms can include hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and body changes. 

Want transparent options for a structured reset? See Wellness for Her™ series pricing.

Menopause weight gain
Menopausal weight gain is a common concern during midlife and may be related to hormonal changes, sleep disruption, stress, changes in muscle mass, and lifestyle factors.

Men’s health (hormone-focused)
Men’s health, in a hormone-focused endocrinology context, is care for hormone-related concerns such as low energy, weight changes, sleep issues, mood changes, thyroid imbalance, or symptoms associated with low testosterone.

Metabolism
Metabolism is the body’s process of converting food into energy and maintaining essential functions, and hormones such as thyroid hormone influence metabolic rate.

P

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
PCOS is a hormone-related condition that can cause irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair growth, weight changes, and insulin resistance. 

If you want a structured, time-boxed plan: See PCOS for Her™ program options.

Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause, when hormone levels fluctuate and symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep issues may begin. 

If symptoms are disrupting sleep, mood, or energy: Explore Women’s Health care.

Pituitary gland
The pituitary gland is a small gland at the base of the brain that helps regulate growth hormone, thyroid signaling through TSH, and reproductive hormones.

Progesterone therapy
Progesterone therapy is a treatment that uses progesterone as part of hormone care, and it may be used for cycle-related issues or as part of menopause hormone therapy, depending on the person’s situation.

Puberty
Puberty is the developmental stage when hormones trigger physical changes and reproductive maturity, and timing varies widely between children.

R

RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport)
RED-S is a condition that can occur when an athlete does not take in enough energy to support training and basic bodily functions, and it can affect hormones, growth, bone health, and performance.

S

Short stature
Short stature is a descriptive term for a height well below average for age and sex and may reflect family genetics or an underlying medical or endocrine cause. 

You don’t need a diagnosis before you reach out: Contact us to talk through next steps.

STIM test
A STIM test, also called a growth hormone stimulation test, is used to evaluate how the body releases growth hormone in response to stimulation. 

If you’re trying to understand cost and timing: View STIM test pricing.

T

Tanner staging (sexual maturity rating)
Tanner staging is a standardized way clinicians describe physical stages of puberty based on secondary sex characteristics.

Thyroid antibodies
Thyroid antibodies are blood markers that can help identify autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.

Thyroid disorders
Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect how the thyroid functions and can impact energy, metabolism, mood, and, in children, growth and development.

Thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck and produces hormones that help regulate metabolism, energy, and growth and development in children.

Thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules are growths within the thyroid gland, and most are benign, but they may require imaging and follow-up based on size and features.

Thyroid panel
A thyroid panel is a group of blood tests that typically includes TSH and thyroid hormone levels, such as Free T4, and results are interpreted alongside symptoms and medical context.

Thyroid ultrasound
A thyroid ultrasound is an imaging test used to evaluate the thyroid gland's structure and assess nodules or other abnormalities.

T3 (triiodothyronine)
T3 is a thyroid hormone that influences metabolism, and T3 may be measured in specific thyroid evaluations.

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)
TSH is a hormone made by the pituitary gland that signals the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones, and it is a common screening test for thyroid dysfunction.

V

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS)
Vasomotor symptoms are hot flashes and night sweats that can occur during perimenopause and menopause.

W

Women’s health (hormone-focused)
Women’s health, in a hormone-focused endocrinology context, is the care for hormone-related concerns that affect energy, sleep, mood, weight, and quality of life, especially during perimenopause and menopause.