Misconceptions — 15+ Incorrect Beliefs About HP-07 — Notes

#	Misconception	Correct Statement
1	"The posterior pituitary makes ADH."	Posterior pituitary stores/releases ADH; it is synthesised in the hypothalamus.
2	"GH excess always causes gigantism."	Only in children (before plate fusion). In adults = acromegaly.
3	"Calcitonin raises blood calcium."	Calcitonin LOWERS blood calcium. PTH raises it.
4	"All diabetes involves blood sugar problems."	Diabetes insipidus involves water (ADH deficiency), not glucose.
5	"T4 is more active than T3."	T3 is 3–5× more potent. T4 is the prohormone converted to T3 peripherally.
6	"Goitre always means hyperthyroidism."	Simple goitre = hypothyroid with enlarged gland (TSH-driven hyperplasia despite low T4).
7	"Cretinism is the same as myxoedema."	Cretinism = childhood hypothyroidism; myxoedema = adult hypothyroidism. Different outcomes.
8	"The adrenal medulla is part of the cortex."	Adrenal medulla is a distinct structure (neural crest origin); cortex is mesoderm-derived.
9	"Insulin is the only hormone affecting blood glucose."	Glucagon, cortisol, adrenaline, GH all counter-regulate and raise blood glucose.
10	"Prolactin requires a releasing hormone like other AP hormones."	Prolactin is primarily inhibited by dopamine (PIF). It is unique in this regard.
11	"All anterior pituitary hormones are peptides."	FSH, LH, and TSH are glycoproteins (peptide backbone with carbohydrate side chains).
12	"Somatostatin only inhibits GH."	Pancreatic somatostatin (from δ-cells) inhibits both insulin and glucagon. Also has GI effects.
13	"Oxytocin is regulated by negative feedback."	Oxytocin during labour uses POSITIVE feedback (cervical stretch → more oxytocin → more contractions).
14	"Steroid hormones are injected because they can't be absorbed."	Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble and can be taken ORALLY (e.g., oral prednisolone). Insulin (peptide) must be injected.
15	"Addison's disease causes pale skin because adrenals fail."	Addison's causes DARK skin — excess ACTH (from loss of feedback) has MSH-like activity, increasing melanin.
16	"PTH and calcitonin both come from the thyroid."	Only calcitonin is from thyroid (C-cells). PTH is from the separate parathyroid glands.
17	"Hyperpigmentation in Addison's = Cushing's feature."	Hyperpigmentation is ADDISON's $\frac{excess ACTH}{MSH}$ . Cushing's has pale, thin skin due to protein catabolism and anti-MSH feedback.
18	"Melatonin controls only sleep."	Melatonin also influences skin lightening, puberty timing, and seasonal reproductive cycles.