hypofunction

hormones

Also known as: underproduction

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

Endocrine hypofunction refers to a decrease in hormone production, which can be a necessary mechanism for maintaining homeostasis, such as slowing metabolism during starvation. However, it can also result from various causes, including iodine deficiency leading to hypothyroidism, or damage to endocrine glands from trauma, infection, or cancer.12

Secondary hypofunction occurs when an endocrine gland is intact but not stimulated or is inhibited, often due to issues with the pituitary gland or its stimulating hormones. Hormone deficiency can also arise from defective hormonal action on target organs, where the body cannot respond to the hormone effectively. Conditions like hypogonadism in men, characterized by decreased testosterone, are examples of hypofunction stemming from hypothalamic, pituitary, or testicular diseases.314

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human endocrine system
Endocrine hypofunction and receptor defects
…in hormone production, known as hypofunction, is required to maintain homeostasis. One example of hypofunction is decreased production of thyroid hormones during starvation and illness. Because the thyroid hormones control energy expenditure, there is survival value in slowing the body’s metabolism when food intake is low. Thus, there is a…
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…in hormone production, known as hypofunction, is required to maintain homeostasis. One example of hypofunction is decreased production of thyroid hormones during starvation and illness. Because the thyroid hormones control energy expenditure, there is survival value in slowing the body’s metabolism when food intake is low. Thus, there is a…
Read More

human disease
Diseases of metabolic-endocrine origin
…either an overproduction (hyperfunction) or underproduction (hypofunction) of some hormone-secreting endocrine gland. There are relatively few causes of hormone overproduction. In general, overproduction results from hyperplasia, an increase in the number of cells (in this case, hormone-secreting cells) in a specific endocrine gland. It can also be caused by neoplasia,…
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…either an overproduction (hyperfunction) or underproduction (hypofunction) of some hormone-secreting endocrine gland. There are relatively few causes of hormone overproduction. In general, overproduction results from hyperplasia, an increase in the number of cells (in this case, hormone-secreting cells) in a specific endocrine gland. It can also be caused by neoplasia,…
Read More