TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.

Next Prev

Diseases » Hirsutism » Glossary

Glossary for Hirsutism

Achard-Thiers Syndrome: A hormonal disorder that occurs in diabetic postmenopausal women. It is characterized by diabetes mellitus and hirsuitism.
Acromegaly: A hormonal disorder involving excess growth hormone production by the pituitary gland.
Adrenal Cancer: A malignant cancer that develops in the adrenal gland. The tumor may be nonfunctioning (does not produce hormones) or functioning in which case excessive levels of hormones can cause a variety of symptoms depending on which hormone is involved. Adrenal hormones made in the cortex (outer part of the gland) are aldosterone, corticosteroids and androgenic steroids. Adrenalin and noradrenalin are the hormones made in the medulla (central part of the adrenal gland).
Adrenal adenoma: collection of growths (-oma) of glandular origin.
Adrenal carcinoma: an aggressive cancer originating in the cortex (steroid hormone-producing tissue) of the adrenal gland.
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome: Females with male XY genetics but inability to respond to testosterone.
Anorexia Nervosa: A disorder where a distorted sense of body image leads to self-starvation to the point of death in some cases.
Bearn-Kunkel syndrome: A type of autoimmune liver disease characterized by liver damage, very high blood gammaglobulin levels and increased plasma cells.
Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy: A rare genetic disorder characterized by diabetes mellitus, loss of body fat, hepatomegaly, enlarged genitals, increased skeletal growth and other abnormalities.
Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy, type 1: A rare genetic disorder characterized by early-onset diabetes mellitus, loss of body fat, serious insulin resistance, high blood triglycerides and fatty liver. Type 1 is distinguished from type 2 by the origin of the genetic defect. Type 1 is caused by a defect on the AGPAT2 gene on chromosome 9q34.3. Type 1 seems to be less severe with some cases of type 2 resulting in premature death which can occur as early as the first year of life. Type 2 also involves mental retardation which is not seen in type 1.
Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy, type 2: A rare genetic disorder characterized by early-onset diabetes mellitus, loss of body fat, serious insulin resistance, high blood triglycerides and fatty liver. Type 2 is distinguished from type 2 by the origin of the genetic defect. Type 2 is caused by a defect on the BSCL2 gene on chromosome 11q13. Type 2 seems to be more severe with some cases resulting in premature death which can occur as early as the first year of life. Type 2 also involves mental retardation which is not seen in type 1.
Brachmann-De Lange Syndrome: A rare congenital disorder characterized by very small stature, synophrys, thin downturning upper lip and micromelia.
C-like syndrome: A rare disorder involving poor fetal growth, limb and facial defects and severe developmental delay.
Chin symptoms: Symptoms affecting the chin
Christian's syndrome 1: A rare recessively inherited syndrome characterized by premature skull fusion, cleft palate, permanently flexed fingers and various other anomalies.
Chromosome 12q duplication syndrome: A rare chromosomal disorder where there are three copies of the long arm (q) of chromosome 12 rather than the normal two resulting in various abnormalities. In most cases, death occurs during infancy.
Chromosome 17q, partial duplication: A rare chromosomal disorder involving an extra copy of genetic material from the long arm of chromosome 17. The type and severity of symptoms are determined by the amount and location of the duplicated genetic material.
Chromosome 1q duplication syndrome: A rare chromosomal disorder involving duplication of the long arm (q) of chromosome 1 which results in various abnormalities depending on the size and location of the portion of duplicated genetic material.
Chromosome 8q duplication syndrome: A rare chromosomal disorder where the long arm (q) of chromosome 8 is duplicated resulting in variable abnormalities depending on the location and length of genetic material deleted.
Chromosome 9p tetrasomy syndrome: A rare chromosomal disorder where there is four copies of the short arm of chromosome 9 instead of the normal two resulting in various abnormalities.
Chronic Hepatitis: Chronic hepatitis is defined as inflammatory disease of the liver lasting for more than six months.
Coffin-Siris Syndrome: A rare genetic disorder characterized by underdeveloped or absent fifth finger and toenails and coarse facial features.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Congenital genetic disease with insufficiency of the adrenal glands
Congenital hypothyroidism: A condition in infancy or early childhood due to an in-utero deficiency of thyroid hormones that can be caused by genetic or environmental factors, such as thyroid dysgenesis or hypothyroidism in infants of mothers treated with thiouracil during pregnancy.
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome: A very rare disorder involving delayed physical development and various malformations involving the head, face and limbs. The severity of symptoms is variable.
Cortisone reductase deficiency: An inborn error of steroid metabolism due to a deficiency of an enzyme called cortisone reductase (11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase). This enzyme is needed to convert cortisone to cortisol.
Cushing's syndrome: A rare syndrome where excessive secretion of corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex leads to a variety of symptoms. Hormone-secreting adrenal or pituitary tumors are often the cause of the excessive corticosteroid secretion.
Danazol - Teratogenic Agent: There is evidence to indicate that exposure to Danazol (used to treat endometriosis) during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
Ethotoin - Teratogenic Agent: There is evidence to indicate that exposure to Ethotoin (an anticonvulsant drug) during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
Fetal Hydantoin Syndrome: A rare disorder caused by fetal exposure to phenytoin (anticonvulsant drug) and resulting in various abnormalities.
Fetal alcohol syndrome: A pattern of mental and physical birth defects caused by excessive alcohol use during pregnancy. The range and severity of the symptoms may vary greatly.
Galactorrhoea-Hyperprolactinaemia: Increased blood prolactin levels associated with galactorrhea (abnormal milk secretion). It may be caused by such things as certain medications, pituitary disorders and thyroid disorders. The condition can occur in males as well as females.
Gynandroblastoma: A type of ovarian tumor that causes feminizing and masculinizing effects of estrogen and androgen.
Hair conditions: Any disorder the affects the hair
Hairiness: Increasing or heavy head or body hair
Head injury: An injury to the head
Hypertrichosis: Hypertrichosis is an overgrowth of hair not localized to the androgen-dependent areas of the skin
Hypothyroidism: Too little thyroid hormone production.
I cell disease: A rare inherited biochemical disorder characterized by the harmful accumulation of chemicals (glycoproteins and glycoplipids) due to the deficiency of an enzyme (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-I-phosphotransferase).
Increased facial hair: Increased growth of hair on the face
Increased hair growth: Increased growth of hair
Insulin resistance, short fifth metacarpals: A rare syndrome characterized by short fifth fingers and fifth hand bones as well as insulin resistance.
Leprechaunism: A very rare genetic disorder characterized by insulin resistance which leads to growth delay and endocrine system abnormalities.
Lip symptoms: Symptoms affecting one or both lips.
MPS 3 D: A rare inherited biochemical disorder characterized by the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans) due to deficiency of an enzyme called N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase. Mucopolysaccharide levels build up and are then deposited in various tissues.
Masculinisation: Increased male physical appearance in females
Menopause: The end of female menstruation and fertility.
Miller-Dieker syndrome: A rare genetic disorder characterized by a smooth brain surface. The condition occurs because of deletion of genetic material from the short arm of chromosome 17 ath a particular location (17p13.3).
Mucopolysaccharidosis 1: A rare inherited condition caused by the absence of certain lysosomal enzymes which are needed to break down mucopolysaccharides. Without these enzymes, mucopolysaccharides build up in various body organs and tissues which causes harmful effects. There are three subtypes of the condition: Hurler, Scheie and Hurler-Scheie with Hurler being the most severe and Scheie the mildest.
Mucopolysaccharidosis type 3: A rare inherited biochemical disorder characterized by the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans). This occurs due to there being not enough of the enzyme called N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase (B) which is needed to break down the mucopolysacharides. The mucopolysaccharides are then deposited in various tissues.
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I Hurler syndrome: A rare inherited biochemical disorder characterized by the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans) in various body tissues due to insufficient amounts of the enzyme (?-L-diuronidase) needed to break it down. There are three main sub-types of the disorder: Hurler - severe form, Scheie - mild form and Hurler/Scheie form which is intermediate.
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I Scheie syndrome: A rare inherited biochemical disorder characterized by the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans) in various body tissues due to insufficient amounts of the enzyme (?-L-iduronidase) needed to break it down.
N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase sulfamidase deficiency: A rare inherited biochemical disorder characterized by the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans). This occurs due to there being not enough of the enzyme called N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase sulfamidase which is needed to break down the mucopolysacharides. The mucopolysaccharides are then deposited in various tissues.
Nodulosis-arthropathy-osteolysis syndrome: A rare syndrome characterized by joint disease, loss of bone mineral density and nodulosis.
Oligodontia and polycystic ovarian syndrome: A rare syndrome characterized by the association of missing teeth and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Ovarian Cancer: Cancer of the ovaries.
Pena-Shokeir syndrome Type 2: A rare progressive congenital syndrome involving degeneration of the brain and spinal cord and characterized by facial, head, skeletal and muscular abnormalities as well as eye abnormalities.
Perimenopause: The start of onset of menopause
Pituitary Cancer: Cancer of the pituitary gland.
Polycystic ovary syndrome: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 5% of all women.
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: A rare metabolic condition involving a deficiency of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. This results in a buildup of porphyrins in the skin which makes it sensitive to light. Most symptoms tend to primarily affected the areas of skin most exposed to sun e.g. back of hands and arms.
Possible human carcinogenic exposure - Phenytoin: Some evidence indicates that exposure to Phenytoin (an anticonvulsant medication) has a possible link to an increased risk of developing cancer in humans. The carcinogenicity of the substance may be influenced by the duration and level of exposure.
Puberty: Sexual and physical maturation in adolescents
Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome: A rare congenital disorder characterized by very small stature, broad thumbs and toes, slanted palpebral fissures and hypoplastic maxilla.
Schwartz-Jampel Syndrome: A rare genetic disorder characterized by myotonia, blepharophimosis and joint limitation.
Scott syndrome: A very rare inherited syndrome characterized by head and digital abnormalities as well as mental retardation.
Sertoli-leydig cell tumors: A rare form of ovarian cancer where excessive male sex hormones are produced by the cancerous cells.
Testicular Cancer: Cancer (malignant) that develops in the tissues of one or both testicles.
Turner Syndrome: Rare chromosome syndrome with one X but no second X or Y chromosome.
Wiedemann Oldigs Oppermann syndrome: A rare syndrome characterized mainly by excessive hair growth, mental retardation and skeletal abnormalities.