Diabetes is an endocrine disorder that affects the way your pancreas produces insulin and later glucose distribution.

Diabetes is a chronic condition involving issues regulating blood sugar (glucose). When glucose levels are too high, you may be at risk of developing problems with your kidneys, heart, and other parts of your body.

Type 1 diabetes is sometimes classified as an autoimmune disorder due to its underlying causes. But diabetes overall is considered an endocrine disorder. This is due to the involvement of the pancreas.

The pancreas is a key gland in the endocrine system that is responsible for producing a hormone called insulin. When you have diabetes, this important process is disrupted.

Read on to learn how diabetes affects the endocrine system, how it compares to other endocrine conditions, and other important information you may consider discussing with a doctor.

Diabetes is considered the most common endocrine disorder in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 11.6% of U.S. people had diabetes, according to 2021 data. Nearly 3% of these cases were undiagnosed.

Like other types of endocrine disorders, diabetes involves issues with a part of the endocrine system. There are eight main glands in your endocrine system, including your pancreas, thyroid gland, and adrenal gland.

Each of the glands in your endocrine system is responsible for producing hormones that affect everyday functions, such as your:

  • metabolism
  • stress response
  • reproduction

When one or more of these glands produces too little (or too many) hormones, or if your body doesn’t respond to hormones like it should, you could have an endocrine disorder.

How does diabetes affect the endocrine system?

Diabetes involves problems with glucose and insulin production. While glucose is your body’s primary energy source, it needs the help of insulin from your pancreas to help move from the bloodstream and into cells throughout your body.

In the case of type 1 diabetes, your pancreas cannot make enough insulin. As a result, glucose levels build up in your bloodstream. This is where the term “high blood sugar” comes from.

People who have type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance, which means that the pancreas still produces some insulin, but the body doesn’t process it correctly.

The way insulin and glucose are affected depends on the type of diabetes:

  • Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 is sometimes classified as an autoimmune disease. It usually develops during childhood and causes your immune system to attack healthy pancreatic cells. In turn, your pancreas cannot make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day.
  • Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It’s an acquired endocrine condition that usually develops in adulthood. With type 2 diabetes, your pancreas still makes some insulin but the levels are too low to support blood glucose.

Due to their hormonal involvement, endocrine disorders have shared symptoms, such as:

  • fatigue
  • a slower metabolism
  • changes in body weight
  • digestive issues, including constipation and diarrhea
  • feeling colder or hotter than usual
  • sexual dysfunction
  • reproductive issues
  • mood changes
  • poor growth and development in children

Aside from the common symptoms seen in many endocrine disorders, there are many other symptoms that are not shared.

For example, people who have diabetes may also experience:

  • increased thirst
  • frequent urination
  • increased appetite
  • tingling in the hands or feet
  • sores that heal slower than typical
  • frequent infections
  • dry skin
  • blurry vision

Endocrine disorders are complex. They require an accurate diagnosis from a specialist before you can receive treatment.

Examples of some of the most common types of endocrine disorders include:

Hormonal imbalances are at the root of endocrine disorders, but there isn’t a single known cause.

The exact cause also depends on the underlying disorder. For example, while type 1 diabetes is autoimmune in nature, both environmental and genetic factors may contribute to someone developing type 2 diabetes.

The same factors apply to other types of endocrine disorders.

It’s also possible to develop multiple endocrine disorders. One 2023 study noted that diabetes can sometimes develop in people who already have Graves’ disease, Cushing syndrome, and other endocrine conditions.

No matter the exact cause, endocrine disorders need regular monitoring and treatment to make sure your hormone levels stay in the normal range so that you can reduce your risk of related symptoms and complications.

A primary doctor will likely refer you to a specialist called an endocrinologist.

Diabetes is a common chronic condition in the United States. Because diabetes involves the pancreas, it’s classified as an endocrine disorder.

Once you have diabetes, you will need to take steps to manage your condition. Taking blood glucose readings and insulin or other medications to manage your condition is key.

With management and treatment, you may help decrease complications of diabetes, such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and heart problems.

If you are concerned about diabetes or another type of endocrine disorder, reach out to your doctor. They may refer you to an endocrinologist for further testing and treatment.