Endocrine glands MCQs With Answer is a focused, exam-oriented resource designed for B. Pharm students preparing for pharmacology, physiology and pathology assessments. This collection covers endocrine system anatomy, hormone synthesis and secretion, receptor pharmacology, feedback regulation, endocrine disorders (diabetes, thyroid, adrenal), diagnostic tests, and therapeutics. Each multiple-choice question targets core concepts such as hormone action, signaling pathways, drug mechanisms, and clinical correlations to build applied knowledge and improve retention. Ideal for revision, university exams, and competitive tests, these MCQs emphasize high-yield facts and reasoning skills. Practice will strengthen your grasp of endocrine glands, endocrine pharmacology and endocrine pathology. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which gland is primarily responsible for secreting thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)?
- Thyroid gland
- Adrenal cortex
- Anterior pituitary
- Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: Anterior pituitary
Q2. Which hormone is synthesized from cholesterol and released by the adrenal cortex?
- Insulin
- Cortisol
- Epinephrine
- Thyroxine (T4)
Correct Answer: Cortisol
Q3. Which cell type in the pancreas secretes insulin?
- Alpha cells
- Beta cells
- Delta cells
- PP (F) cells
Correct Answer: Beta cells
Q4. Which second messenger is primarily involved in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor signaling?
- cAMP
- IP3 and DAG
- cGMP
- Calcium-calmodulin only
Correct Answer: cAMP
Q5. What is the primary action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin)?
- Increase blood glucose
- Promote water reabsorption in the kidney
- Stimulate follicle development
- Inhibit cortisol synthesis
Correct Answer: Promote water reabsorption in the kidney
Q6. Which hormone increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption?
- Calcitonin
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Vitamin D (calcitriol)
- Thyroxine (T4)
Correct Answer: Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Q7. Which enzyme is the rate-limiting step in catecholamine synthesis?
- Tryptophan hydroxylase
- Tyrosine hydroxylase
- Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase
- DOPA decarboxylase
Correct Answer: Tyrosine hydroxylase
Q8. Which hormone directly stimulates glycogenolysis in the liver?
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Somatostatin
- Aldosterone
Correct Answer: Glucagon
Q9. Which drug is a synthetic analog of vasopressin used to treat central diabetes insipidus?
- Desmopressin
- Oxytocin
- Propranolol
- Levothyroxine
Correct Answer: Desmopressin
Q10. Which thyroid hormone is more potent at the receptor level?
- Thyroxine (T4)
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
- Reverse T3 (rT3)
- Calcitonin
Correct Answer: Triiodothyronine (T3)
Q11. Which organ converts T4 to the active T3 peripherally?
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Adrenal gland
- Pituitary gland
Correct Answer: Liver
Q12. Which receptor type mediates insulin’s metabolic effects?
- G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR)
- Tyrosine kinase receptor
- Nuclear hormone receptor
- Ligand-gated ion channel
Correct Answer: Tyrosine kinase receptor
Q13. Which endocrine tumor is associated with excess ACTH production?
- Pheochromocytoma
- Cushing disease (pituitary adenoma)
- Graves’ disease
- Insulinoma
Correct Answer: Cushing disease (pituitary adenoma)
Q14. Which drug is used to treat hyperthyroidism by inhibiting thyroid peroxidase?
- Levothyroxine
- Propylthiouracil (PTU)
- Insulin
- Metformin
Correct Answer: Propylthiouracil (PTU)
Q15. Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary?
- TSH and ACTH
- Oxytocin and ADH
- Growth hormone and prolactin
- FSH and LH
Correct Answer: Oxytocin and ADH
Q16. Which of the following increases during primary hyperthyroidism?
- TSH levels
- TRH secretion
- T3 and T4 levels
- TSH receptor blocking antibodies
Correct Answer: T3 and T4 levels
Q17. Which hormone decreases secretion of growth hormone (GH)?
- Growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH)
- Somatostatin
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
- Ghrelin
Correct Answer: Somatostatin
Q18. Which test is most useful for diagnosing primary hypothyroidism?
- Serum TSH (elevated)
- Serum T3 (elevated)
- Serum calcitonin (elevated)
- Urinary catecholamines
Correct Answer: Serum TSH (elevated)
Q19. Which hormone stimulates milk ejection from the mammary gland?
- Prolactin
- Oxytocin
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Q20. Which adrenal zone secretes aldosterone?
- Zona glomerulosa
- Zona fasciculata
- Zona reticularis
- Medulla
Correct Answer: Zona glomerulosa
Q21. Which mechanism explains insulin’s action on target cells?
- Activation of adenylate cyclase
- Phosphorylation cascade via insulin receptor tyrosine kinase
- Direct DNA binding as transcription factor
- Blocking sodium channels
Correct Answer: Phosphorylation cascade via insulin receptor tyrosine kinase
Q22. Which hormone’s secretion follows a circadian rhythm with peak levels in the early morning?
- Cortisol
- Prolactin
- Parathyroid hormone
- Insulin
Correct Answer: Cortisol
Q23. Which diagnostic marker is most specific for medullary thyroid carcinoma?
- Thyroglobulin
- Calcitonin
- TSH
- Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies
Correct Answer: Calcitonin
Q24. Which receptor subtype mediates epinephrine-induced bronchodilation?
- Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor
- Beta-1 adrenergic receptor
- Beta-2 adrenergic receptor
- Muscarinic M3 receptor
Correct Answer: Beta-2 adrenergic receptor
Q25. Which pituitary hormone stimulates ovarian follicle maturation?
- Prolactin
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Growth hormone (GH)
Correct Answer: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Q26. Which endocrine disorder is characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells?
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Cushing syndrome
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
Correct Answer: Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Q27. Which drug is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced endocrine suppression experimentally?
- Naloxone
- Morphine
- Diazepam
- Metoclopramide
Correct Answer: Naloxone
Q28. Which hormone is measured to evaluate male primary hypogonadism?
- Prolactin
- LH and FSH (elevated)
- Insulin
- Cortisol
Correct Answer: LH and FSH (elevated)
Q29. Which condition results from chronic excess cortisol regardless of source?
- Addison disease
- Cushing syndrome
- Sheehan syndrome
- Hashimoto thyroiditis
Correct Answer: Cushing syndrome
Q30. Which peptide hormone inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion?
- Ghrelin
- Somatostatin
- Pancreatic polypeptide
- Amylin
Correct Answer: Somatostatin
Q31. Which test helps distinguish between primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency?
- Serum TSH
- Plasma ACTH level
- Urinary free cortisol only
- Serum insulin level
Correct Answer: Plasma ACTH level
Q32. Which hormone increases hepatic gluconeogenesis?
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Estrogen
- Prolactin
Correct Answer: Glucagon
Q33. Which endocrine drug is a long-acting somatostatin analog used for acromegaly?
- Octreotide
- Metformin
- Levothyroxine
- Hydrocortisone
Correct Answer: Octreotide
Q34. Which hormone is predominantly responsible for sodium retention in the kidney?
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- Aldosterone
- ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide)
- Thyroxine
Correct Answer: Aldosterone
Q35. Which receptor family do steroid hormones primarily act through?
- Cell surface GPCRs
- Ligand-activated nuclear transcription factors
- Ion channel receptors
- Receptor tyrosine kinases
Correct Answer: Ligand-activated nuclear transcription factors
Q36. Which hormone promotes bone mineralization and lowers blood calcium?
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Calcitonin
- Vitamin D (calcitriol)
- Cortisol
Correct Answer: Calcitonin
Q37. Which is a common adverse effect of long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy?
- Hypoglycemia
- Osteoporosis
- Increased muscle mass
- Hypotension
Correct Answer: Osteoporosis
Q38. Which test is used to screen for pheochromocytoma?
- Plasma free metanephrines
- Serum cortisol at noon
- Serum TSH
- Fasting insulin
Correct Answer: Plasma free metanephrines
Q39. Which hormone is primarily responsible for uterine contraction during labor?
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Oxytocin
- Prolactin
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Q40. Which endocrine abnormality causes hyperpigmentation of skin in primary adrenal insufficiency?
- Low ACTH
- High ACTH
- Low aldosterone only
- High cortisol
Correct Answer: High ACTH
Q41. Which endocrine organ secretes melatonin?
- Pineal gland
- Pituitary gland
- Thyroid gland
- Adrenal medulla
Correct Answer: Pineal gland
Q42. Which insulin preparation has the fastest onset of action?
- Insulin glargine
- Regular human insulin
- Insulin lispro
- Insulin detemir
Correct Answer: Insulin lispro
Q43. Which hormone antagonizes insulin’s effect on glucose uptake?
- GLP-1
- Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
- Glucagon
- Amylin
Correct Answer: Glucagon
Q44. Which autoimmune disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient areas?
- Graves’ disease
- Hashimoto thyroiditis
- Subacute thyroiditis
- Riedel thyroiditis
Correct Answer: Hashimoto thyroiditis
Q45. Which hormone stimulates adrenal androgen production?
- ACTH
- TSH
- LH
- Prolactin
Correct Answer: ACTH
Q46. Which lab finding is typical in primary hyperparathyroidism?
- Low serum calcium
- High serum calcium and low phosphate
- Low serum PTH
- Elevated TSH
Correct Answer: High serum calcium and low phosphate
Q47. Which hormonal axis is tested by measuring morning serum cortisol and ACTH?
- Thyroid axis
- HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis
- HPT (hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid) axis
- HPG (hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal) axis
Correct Answer: HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis
Q48. Which oral antithyroid drug also inhibits peripheral conversion of T4 to T3?
- Carbimazole only
- Propylthiouracil (PTU)
- Levothyroxine
- Liothyronine
Correct Answer: Propylthiouracil (PTU)
Q49. Which hormone promotes intestinal absorption of calcium?
- Calcitonin
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Vitamin D (calcitriol)
- Insulin
Correct Answer: Vitamin D (calcitriol)
Q50. Which endocrine drug is used as first-line therapy for hypothyroidism?
- Propylthiouracil (PTU)
- Levothyroxine (T4)
- Liothyronine (T3) immediate-release only
- Radioactive iodine
Correct Answer: Levothyroxine (T4)
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