BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuHypothalamusThe hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:Body temperature Heart rate Hunger Mood Release of hormones from many glands, especially the pituitary gland Sex drive Sleep ThirstPrevious imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Information HYPOTHALAMIC DISEASEHypothalamic dysfunction can occur as a result of diseases, including:Hypothalamic dysfunctionHypothalamic dysfunction is a problem with part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus helps control the pituitary gland and regulat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Genetic causes (often present at birth or during childhood) Infection or inflammation Injury as a result of trauma, surgery or radiationSYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHALAMIC DISEASEBecause the hypothalamus controls so many different functions, hypothalamic disease can have many different symptoms, depending on the cause. The most common symptoms are:Increased appetite and rapid weight gain Extreme thirst and frequent urination (diabetes insipidus) Diabetes insipidusDiabetes insipidus (DI) is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys are unable to prevent the excretion of water. DI is not the same as diabetes me...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Low body temperature Slow heart rateOpen ReferencesReferencesChristian HC. Anatomy and physiology of the hypothalamus and pituitary. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 13.Myers MG, Olson DP. Neuroendocrine control of energy stores. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 39.Weiss RE. Neuroendocrinology and the neuroendocrine system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 210.AllVideoImagesTogHypothalamus - illustration The hypothalamus is a highly complex structure in the brain that regulates many important brain chemicals. Malfunction of this area of the brain may affect basic functions like sleep, appetite, and temperature.HypothalamusillustrationBrain-thyroid link - illustration Although the thyroid gland releases the hormones which govern growth and metabolism, the brain (the pituitary and the hypothalamus) manages the release and the balance of the amount of hormones circulated.Brain-thyroid linkillustrationHypothalamus - illustration The hypothalamus is a highly complex structure in the brain that regulates many important brain chemicals. Malfunction of this area of the brain may affect basic functions like sleep, appetite, and temperature.HypothalamusillustrationBrain-thyroid link - illustration Although the thyroid gland releases the hormones which govern growth and metabolism, the brain (the pituitary and the hypothalamus) manages the release and the balance of the amount of hormones circulated.Brain-thyroid linkillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 5/12/2023 Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
HypothalamusThe hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:Body temperature Heart rate Hunger Mood Release of hormones from many glands, especially the pituitary gland Sex drive Sleep ThirstPrevious imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Information HYPOTHALAMIC DISEASEHypothalamic dysfunction can occur as a result of diseases, including:Hypothalamic dysfunctionHypothalamic dysfunction is a problem with part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus helps control the pituitary gland and regulat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Genetic causes (often present at birth or during childhood) Infection or inflammation Injury as a result of trauma, surgery or radiationSYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHALAMIC DISEASEBecause the hypothalamus controls so many different functions, hypothalamic disease can have many different symptoms, depending on the cause. The most common symptoms are:Increased appetite and rapid weight gain Extreme thirst and frequent urination (diabetes insipidus) Diabetes insipidusDiabetes insipidus (DI) is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys are unable to prevent the excretion of water. DI is not the same as diabetes me...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Low body temperature Slow heart rateOpen ReferencesReferencesChristian HC. Anatomy and physiology of the hypothalamus and pituitary. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 13.Myers MG, Olson DP. Neuroendocrine control of energy stores. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 39.Weiss RE. Neuroendocrinology and the neuroendocrine system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 210.