Endocrinology
Endocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions known as hormones.
What is an endocrinologist and what do they do?
What is endocrinology?
- Diseases. A hormone imbalance can result from genetic or environmental factors. ...
- Visiting an endocrinologist. An endocrinologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of conditions related to hormone imbalances and problems.
- Takeaway. Hormones affect functions throughout the body. An imbalance can cause a wide range of health issues.
What are the reasons to see an endocrinologist?
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Anxiety or depression
- New or increased hair growth
- Changes in menstrual periods
- Muscle weakness
- Feeling cold
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry skin
Who should see an endocrinologist?
- You're pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- The thyroid disease is in a newborn or child.
- You're diagnosed with thyroid nodules or an enlarged thyroid gland ( goiter ).
- You have any type of hyperthyroidism, including Graves' disease.
- Your hypothyroidism is caused by a problem with the pituitary gland.
- You have thyroid eye disease.
What's the job description of an endocrinologist?
Endocrinologist Job Description Please Remember: An endocrinologist, in general, deals with hormonal imbalances, while the duties of a reproductive endocrinologist involve dealing with the same, solely in females, as reproductive endocrinology is a ... Job Profile. ... Requirements. ... Salary and Job Outlook. ...
What are the reasons to see an endocrinologist?
Endocrinologists are qualified to diagnose and treat conditions like diabetes, thyroid diseases, infertility, growth issues, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, some cancers, and disorders in the hormone-producing adrenal glands and pituitary glands.
When should a woman see an endocrinologist?
Your primary care doctor may be able to manage uncomplicated thyroid disorders such as mild hypothyroidism, with medication. But if your body is exhibiting serious abnormalities, lumps or an enlarged thyroid gland, or unexplained changes in weight, your doctor will likely recommend a visit to an endocrinologist.
What tests are done in endocrinology?
These tests and tools are used to diagnose and evaluate endocrine disorders:CT scan.Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)Nuclear medicine studies.Parathyroid ultrasound.Post-thyroidectomy ultrasound.Thyroglobulin stimulation studies.Thyroid ultrasound.Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.
Which organs of the body would be treated by an endocrinologist?
When the hormones leave the glands, they enter the bloodstream and are transported to organs and tissues in every part of the body.Adrenal glands. Endocrinology refers to a medical focus on hormones. ... Hypothalamus. ... Ovaries and testicles. ... Pancreas. ... Parathyroid glands.Pineal body, or pineal gland. ... Pituitary gland. ... Thymus gland.More items...
What is the most common disease treated by an endocrinologist?
Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic conditions. An endocrinologist can specialize in the treatment of different kinds of diabetes and other metabolic conditions such as obesity. Thyroid disease: Many conditions can affect your thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck.
What 3 diseases can affect the endocrine system?
Endocrine Disease TopicsAcromegaly.Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison's Disease.Cushing's Syndrome.Cystic Fibrosis link.Graves' Disease.Hashimoto's Disease.
What are signs of endocrine problems?
Symptoms of Endocrine DisordersFatigue.Changes in vision.Excessive hunger and thirst.Vomiting and nausea.Constant urination.Unexplained weight gain or loss.
What is the most common endocrine disorder?
In the United States, the most common endocrine disease is diabetes. There are many others. They are usually treated by controlling how much hormone your body makes.
How do I know if I have endocrine problems?
Blood and urine tests to check your hormone levels can help your doctors determine if you have an endocrine disorder. Imaging tests may be done to help locate or pinpoint a nodule or tumor. Treatment of endocrine disorders can be complicated, as a change in one hormone level can throw off another.
What type of disorder does an endocrinologist diagnose and treat?
Endocrinologists treat individuals with endocrine conditions and disorders such as:Diabetes mellitus.Thyroid dysfunction.Obesity or Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease (ABCD)Osteoporosis.Adrenal disorders.Lipid disorders.Metabolic abnormalities.Growth disorders.More items...
What are some common endocrine disorders?
5 Most Common Endocrine DisordersDiabetes. Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder in the United States. ... Thyroid Disorders. Thyroid disorders follow closely behind diabetes in the United States. ... Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) ... Low Testosterone. ... Osteoporosis.
What should I ask my endocrinologist?
10 good questions to ask your endocrinologistIs my diabetes in good control for my goals? ... Does the rest of my bloodwork look normal? ... Should I adjust my diabetes medication and/or insulin? ... How can I adjust my care between visits? ... What new insulins, medications and technology is on the horizon?More items...•
What does an endocrinologist do on the first visit?
The doctor will begin by taking your vitals and assessing your weight and height. They will also check your blood sugar level if you or another member of your family has diabetes, though this doesn't happen every time. The endocrinologist will then perform a check-up to ensure you have no abnormalities on your body.
What are the symptoms of endocrine disorders?
What Are the Symptoms of an Endocrine Disorder?Mood swings.Fatigue.Weakness.Unintended weight fluctuations.Changes in blood glucose levels or cholesterol levels.
Can an endocrinologist help with menopausal weight gain?
An endocrinologist can very often help you reverse weight gain that is associated with hormonal imbalances. Potentially useful interventions include lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet modification, or stress management, as well as treatments such as testosterone or thyroid hormone replacement.
Can an endocrinologist help with weight?
Endocrinologists, who are specialists in hormones and metabolism, can evaluate and treat obesity as well as weight-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. They can prescribe anti-obesity medications and care for you throughout your weight journey.
What does an endocrinologist do?
These specialists diagnose, evaluate and treat diseases that affect hormones and the glands that create them.
What are the conditions that endocrinologists treat?
Some of the most common conditions that endocrinologists treat include: Diabetes (types 1 and 2) Hypoglycemia. Adrenal disorders, including Conn’s syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism) and Cushing syndrome. Cholesterol disorders.
Do endocrinologists work with primary care?
Many of these disorders require highly specialized and lifelong care. Endocrinologists often work hand-in-hand with primary care physicians and other specialists as necessary to help patients effectively manage their conditions and achieve the best quality of life.
Do I Need to See an Endocrinologist?
Endocrine disorders can produce a wide array of symptoms depending on the glands they impact. Symptoms can range from subtle to debilitating and can affect virtually every system in the body. The following are just a few symptoms are that are associated with endocrine disorders:
What is an endocrinologist?
An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone-related diseases and conditions. Endocrinologists treat individuals with endocrine conditions and disorders such as: Diabetes mellitus. Thyroid dysfunction. Obesity or Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease (ABCD)
How do endocrinologists work?
Endocrinologists work to ensure that the different systems in the body communicate well with each other by correcting hormonal imbalances. Endocrinologists perform a series of tests to understand the problem, determine the best treatment and help patients with lifestyle changes (when possible) that can improve the medical condition.
Why do endocrinologists do research?
Many endocrinologists are also involved in basic, clinical and translational research to gain a better understanding of endocrine diseases, which subsequently leads to better treatment options. Some endocrinologists treat a range of endocrine disorders, while others choose to specialize in a single area, such as diabetes, ...
How long does it take to become an endocrinologist?
Following medical school completion and internal medicine residency training, a two- or three-year fellowship in the field of endocrinology must be undertaken for a physician to become an endocrinologist. Following completion of training, most become board certified.
Does an endocrinologist work with a primary care physician?
Some disorders involve the endocrine system even though they do not originate there. For these cases, the endocrinologist may work together with a primary care physician or a specialist in another discipline to coordinate a patient’s follow-up care.
Why do endocrinologists ask about symptoms that do not seem to be related, or that seem unnecessary?
This is because hormone levels affect so many different systems in the body that just small changes in one gland can impact parts of the body far from the site of the glands themselves.
What is the function of the endocrine system?
The human endocrine system consists of a number of glands, which release hormones to control many different functions. When the hormones leave the glands, they enter the bloodstream and are transported to organs and tissues in every part of the body.
Why is the master gland called the main endocrine gland?
It is sometimes called the main endocrine master gland because it secretes hormones that regulate the functions of other glands, as well as growth and several other bodily functions.
What is the field of hormone related diseases?
Endocrinology is the field of hormone-related diseases. An endocrinologist can diagnose and treat hormone problems and the complications that arise from them. Hormones regulate metabolism, respiration, growth, reproduction, sensory perception, and movement. Hormone imbalances are the underlying reason for a wide range of medical conditions.
How many hormones are there in the human body?
Endocrinology focuses both on the hormones and the many glands and tissues that produce them. Humans have over 50 different hormones. They can exist in very small amounts and still have a significant impact on bodily function and development.
What hormones are secreted by the adrenal glands?
The adrenal glands secrete: corticosteroids, the steroids involved in stress responses, the immune system, inflammation, and more. catecholamines, such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, in response to stress. aldosterone, which affects kidney function. androgens, or male sex hormones, including testosterone.
What doctor can diagnose hormones?
If your physician suspects that the underlying cause of a medical condition is related to hormone production, they may refer you to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in endocrinology. These doctors are trained to diagnose and manage diseases that affect the glands and the hormones.
What Do Endocrinologists Do?
They cover a lot of ground, diagnosing and treating conditions that affect your:
What is a pediatric endocrinologist?
They may work with adults or kids. When they specialize in treating children, they 're called pediatric endocrinologists. What Do Endocrinologists Do?
What is the name of the gland in the neck that controls metabolism, energy, and brain growth?
Thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that controls your metabolism, energy, and braingrowth and development. Training. Endocrinologists are licensed internal medicine doctors who have passed an additional certification exam. They go to college for 4 years, then medical school for 4 more years.
What questions does an endocrinologist ask?
Your endocrinologist will ask you about how you feel, what you're doing to manage your diabetes, and any trouble you're having.
What gland controls metabolism, energy, and brain growth and development?
Thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that controls your metabolism, energy, and brain growth and development
How long does it take to become an endocrinologist?
Afterward, they work in hospitals and clinics as residents for 3 years to get experience treating people. They'll spend another 2 or 3 years training specifically in endocrinology.
Can you go to an endocrinologist if you have diabetes?
Your diabetes has gotten tough to manage, or your treatment isn't working. You have complications from diabetes. You can always ask to go to an endocrinologist, too, even though your doctor doesn't suggest it first . When you see one, you'll still need to visit your primary doctor as well.
What is an endocrinologist?
An endocrinologist is an internal medicine physician with an additional 2–3 years of training focused on the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine glands and the hormones they produce. Endocrine disorders are due to a hormonal imbalance (too much or too little) or an abnormal gland. Endocrine glands have complex functions affecting the entire body.
Why would you need to see an endocrinologist?
Both common and uncommon endocrine disorders can require the expertise of an endocrinologist. Here are 8 reasons to see an endocrinologist.
What are the causes of thyroid problems?
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Causes of hyperthyroidism include Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goiter, toxic adenoma, and less common causes.
What is the treatment for obesity?
Like other chronic diseases, obesity requires lifelong treatment. Obesity treatment involves nutrition, physical activity, medications, and/or surgery. A board-certified obesity medicine doctor can perform a thorough medical evaluation and create a personalized weight loss plan with you.
Is there a low testosterone clinic?
Low testosterone clinics and men’s health clinics have grown in popularity. These settings come with the risk of incorrect diagnoses and inappropriate treatment that leads to health risks and harm. In a future post, we will discuss the importance of seeing an endocrinologist to determine whether low testosterone truly exists, why it does, and how to treat safely and effectively.
Why do endocrinologists treat diseases?
An endocrinologist treats diseases due to the imbalance of hormones in the body. The endocrine diseases may be either due to an increase or decrease in the production or secretion of hormones.
Why would you go to an endocrinologist?
You would be referred to an endocrinologist by your family doctor, or you can visit him/her on your own if
What diseases does an endocrinologist treat?
Other diseases that an endocrinologist treats include: Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) Addison’s disease (deficiency of hormones of adrenal glands) Cushing’s syndrome (excessive production of the hormone cortisol which leads to weight gain and puffy face)
What is the term for the body's glands that secrete hormones?
Reproduction. Endocrinology is a branch of the medical field that deals with diseases related to hormones and the glands that secrete them (endocrine glands). The glands that secrete the hormones include: Pancreas: A gland located in your abdomen that makes insulin and glucagon.
How long does it take to become an endocrinologist?
An endocrinologist is trained for almost two to three years in endocrinology after completing four years of medical schooling and three years of post-graduation in internal medicine. Hormones are secreted by the endocrine glands of the body. Different hormones have different actions.
What are the roles of hormones in women's development?
Hormones play an indirect yet crucial role in your. Metabolism. Respiration.
What is the name of the disorder that destroys the adrenal glands?
Addison disease is a hormonal (endocrine) disorder involving destruction of the adrenal glands (small glands adjacent to the kidneys). Diseased glands can no longer produce sufficient adrenal hormones (specifically cortisol) necessary for normal daily body functions.
