Endocrinology

What is an Endocrinologist? 
An endocrinologist is a specially trained doctor. Endocrinologists diagnose diseases that affect your glands. They know how to treat these conditions, which are often complex and involve many systems and structures within your body. Your regular doctor refers you to an endocrinologist when you have a problem with your endocrine system.

What is the endocrine system? 
Your endocrine system is a system of glands. Glands are organs that make hormones. These are substances that help to control activities in your body. Hormones control reproduction, metabolism (food burning and waste elimination), and growth and development. Hormones also control the way you respond to your surroundings. They help to provide the proper amount of energy and nutrition. The endocrine glands include the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal, pituitary and hypothalamus.

What do endocrinologists do? 
Endocrinologists are trained to recognize and uncover hormone problems. They help to restore the natural balance of hormones in your system. Endocrinologists also conduct basic research to learn the secrets of glands. Clinical research helps them learn the best ways to treat patients. Endocrinologists develop new drugs and treatments for hormone problems. They take care of many functions and problems:

diabetes 
thyroid diseases 
metabolism 
hormonal imbalances 
menopause 
osteoporosis 
hypertension 
cholesterol (lipid) disorders 
infertility and birth control 
shortness (short stature) 
cancers of the glands 
What type of medical training do endocrinologists receive?
Endocrinologists finish four years of medical school. They spend three or four years in an internship and residency program. These specialty programs cover internal medicine, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology. They spend two or three more years learning how to diagnose and treat hormone conditions.

What are the most common endocrine diseases and disorders?
Endocrine diseases and disorders are grouped into several areas. Some endocrinologists focus on one or two areas, such as diabetes, pediatric disorders, thyroid, or reproductive and menstrual disorders. Others work in all areas of endocrinology. The major areas of endocrinology are described below:

Diabetes 
Patients with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood. Recent studies have found that excellent blood sugar control helps prevent problems from diabetes. Problems in the eyes, kidneys and nerves can be very serious. They can lead to blindness, dialysis, or amputation. Endocrinologists treat diabetes with diet and medications, including insulin. They also work closely with patients to control blood sugar and monitor them so they can prevent health problems.

Thyroid 
Patients with thyroid disorders often have problems with their energy levels. They may also have trouble with muscle strength, emotions, weight control, and tolerating heat or cold. Endocrinologists treat patients with too much or too little of the thyroid hormones. They help patients reach a hormone balance by replacing thyroid hormone. Endocrinologists also receive special training to manage patients with thyroid growths or cancer, and swollen thyroid glands.

Bone 
Osteomalacia (rickets, which causes bones to soften) and osteoporosis are bone diseases that endocrinologists diagnose and treat. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your skeleton. Certain hormones act to protect bone tissue. When these hormone levels drop, bones can lose tissue and weaken. Menopause, loss of testicle function, and aging may put you at risk for bone breaks. Endocrinologists treat other disorders that can affect bones, such as too much parathyroid hormone.

Reproduction/Infertility 
About one in ten American couples are infertile. Endocrine research has helped thousands of couples to have children. Endocrinologists diagnose and treat the precise hormone imbalance that causes infertility. Endocrinologists also assess and treat patients with reproductive problems based in glands. They work with patients who need hormone replacement. Problems that they treat include menopause symptoms, irregular periods, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, and impotence.

Obesity and Overweight 
Endocrinologists treat patients who are overweight or obese, often because of metabolic and hormonal problems. The sign of obesity is too much body fat. Thyroid, adrenal, ovarian, and pituitary disorders can cause obesity. Endocrinologists also identify factors linked with obesity. These factors include insulin resistance and genetic problems.

Pituitary Gland 
The pituitary is often called the master gland of the body because it controls other glands. The pituitary makes several vital hormones. Over- or under- production of pituitary hormones can lead to infertility, menstrual disorders, growth disorders (acromegaly or short stature) and too much cortisol (Cushing's syndrome). Endocrinologists control these conditions with medications and refer patients who need surgery.

Growth 
Pediatric endocrinologists treat children with endocrine problems that cause short stature and other growth problems. Thanks to endocrine research, safe and effective treatments are available for people whose growth is abnormal.

Hypertension
Hypertension is high blood pressure, and it is a risk factor for heart disease. Up to 10% of people have hypertension because of too much aldosterone, a hormone produced in the adrenal glands. About half of these cases are caused by growths that can be removed with surgery. Conditions such as the metabolic syndrome or a growth called a pheochromocytoma also may cause hypertension. These conditions also can be treated successfully.

Lipid Disorders 
Patients with lipid disorders have trouble maintaining normal levels of body fats. One of the most common lipid disorders is hyperlipidemia - high levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (known as "bad" cholesterol), and/or triglycerides in the blood. High levels of these fats are linked to heart and blood vessel (coronary heart) disease, strokes, and other diseases. Hypertension is common in people with lipid disorders, and together these factors put patients at higher risk for coronary heart disease. Endocrinologists are trained to detect factors that may be related to lipid disorders, such as hypothyroidism, drug use (such as steroid use), or genetic or metabolic conditions. Lipid disorders can be found in several conditions that require special management, including the metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity. Special diets, exercise, and medications, including estrogen replacement therapy in some cases, may be prescribed to manage hyperlipidemia and other lipid disorders.