Your endocrine glands are the:

• pituitary
• pancreas
• thyroid
• parathyroid
• adrenals

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a disorder in which glands in your endocrine system release too many hormones into the blood. Usually, MEN1 involves more than one of these glands being overactive.

MEN1 is inherited but rare. It appears in people of both sexes and all racial backgrounds. It is often linked to non-cancerous tumors that disrupt normal hormone secretion.

Generally, MEN1 can lead to cancerous pancreatic or carcinoid tumors. Gastrin-releasing tumors (gastrinomas) are another possible complication of MEN1. Gastrinomas can cause severe, even fatal ulcers. Gastrinomas require treatment.

In rare cases, people with MEN1 have experienced excessive bone growth or disfigurement.

When the pituitary gland is overactive, it can cause over-production of breast milk and/or fertility problems in women and can affect the sex drive in men.

When the pancreas is overactive, it often causes:

• hypoglycemia,
• diabetes, or
• diarrhea

Did you know?

Because MEN1 involves an entire system of glands, it can cause a wide range of symptoms and complications.

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Diagnosis of MEN1 may include any of several tests, including MRI of the head or abdomen, a CT scan, a biopsy, or many types of blood tests.

• Abdominal pain
• Burning or hunger discomfort in the stomach
• Bloating after meals
• Black, tarry stools
• Constipation
• Kidney stones
• Weakness and fatigue
• Muscle or bone pain
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Mental changes or confusion
• Sensitivity to cold
• Unexplained weight loss
• Low blood pressure
• Vision problems
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of underarm or pubic hair
• Cessation of menstruation, infertility, or change in breast milk production (women)
• Decreased sex drive, loss of body or facial hair (men)

In many cases, symptoms appear only after age 50, but the disorder can be detected in early adulthood.

The most common course of treatment is surgery to remove the affected gland(s). Following surgery, Vitamin D and hormone replacement therapy may be required. For pituitary-related MEN1, a medication may be prescribed instead of surgery.

• Family history MEN1
• History of a pituitary tumor
• History of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome