Overview of Endocrine Disorders By William F Young, Jr, MD, MSc, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Reviewed / Revised Apr 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Laboratory Testing for Endocrine Disorders Treatment Aging and Endocrinology Endocrine disorders can result from Dysfunction originating in the peripheral endocrine gland itself (primary disorders) Understimulation by the pituitary (secondary disorders) whether due to intrinsic pituitary dysfunction or understimulation of the pituitary by the hypothalamus Overstimulation by the pituitary (secondary disorders) whether due to intrinsic pituitary dysfunction or overstimulation of the pituitary by the hypothalamus Rarely, because of abnormal tissue response to hormones (usually hypofunction).