What is the term for the secretion of an excess of a hormone, which is a mechanism of endocrine disease?

The term that refers to the secretion of an excess of a hormone is hypersecretion. This condition occurs when an endocrine gland produces more of a hormone than is normally required, which can lead to an overstimulation of target cells and subsequent physiological effects. Hypersecretion is often associated with various endocrine disorders, such as Cushing's syndrome, where excessive cortisol is produced, or hyperthyroidism, where an excess of thyroid hormone is secreted.

In the context of endocrine disease, understanding hypersecretion is crucial because it illustrates how hormonal imbalances can disrupt normal bodily functions, leading to a range of symptoms and health complications. Recognizing hypersecretion can help in diagnosing and treating conditions that involve overactive hormone production. In contrast, hyposecretion refers to insufficient hormone secretion; homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions, and autoregulation is the automatic adjustment of physiological systems in response to changes in the environment, which does not specifically relate to hormone secretion.