Which condition is identified by excessively high levels of gastrin in the body?

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is characterized by excessively high levels of gastrin, which is a hormone produced by G cells in the stomach's gastric mucosa. This syndrome involves gastrin-secreting tumors, known as gastrinomas, typically found in the pancreas or duodenum. The elevated gastrin levels lead to increased gastric acid secretion, resulting in recurrent peptic ulcers and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

The connection between Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and gastrin levels is crucial; the high levels of gastrin stimulate the parietal cells in the stomach to produce more acid, which can overwhelm the mucosal defenses and result in ulcer formation. Identifying this syndrome is important for treatment because it may require surgical intervention or targeted therapies to manage the gastrin-secreting tumors effectively.

Other conditions like gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and esophageal reflux disease may involve alterations in gastrin levels, but they do not typically result from the pathological synthesis of gastrin as seen in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Thus, understanding the unique presentation and implications of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome helps to differentiate it from other gastrointestinal disorders.