Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) I

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Endocrine glands

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) I

Alternative Names:

Wermer's syndrome

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary greatly from person to person and may be related to peptic ulcer disease, hypoglycemia, hypercalcemia, or pituitary dysfunction.

Abdominal pain
Burning, aching, or hunger discomfort in the upper abdomen or lower chest that is relieved by antacids, milk, or food
Black, tarry stools
Nausea and vomiting
Bloated feeling after meals
Weakness
Headache
Vision problems
Loss of coordination
Anxiety
Mental changes or confusion
Coma if hypoglycemia is untreated
Loss of appetite
Muscle pain
Fatigue
Sensitivity to the cold
Unintentional weight loss
Low blood pressure
Loss of axillary or pubic hair
In women, cessation of menses, infertility, or failure to lactate
In men, decreased sexual interest, loss of body or facial hair

Signs and tests:

Diagnostic tests are used to evaluate the function of each endocrine gland.

Pancreatic evaluation may reveal the following signs:

MRI of abdomen shows a pancreatic tumor.
CT of abdomen shows a pancreatic tumor.
Insulin test may show increased levels.
Fasting blood sugar may be low.
Serum glucagon may be elevated.
Serum gastrin may be elevated.

Parathyroid evaluation may reveal the following signs:

Serum calcium level is elevated, and the serum parathyroid hormone is increased.
Parathyroid biopsy shows tumor or hyperplasia

Pituitary evaluation may reveal the following signs:

Cranial CT scan or MRI of head may reveal a pituitary tumor.

The following hormone levels may also be measured to evaluate the pituitary:

Additional testing may be needed.

Review Date: 11/9/2004
Reviewed By: Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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