Endocrinologists develop new drugs and treatments for hormone problems:
hormonal imbalances
cholesterol (lipid) disorders
thyroid diseases
metabolism
diabetes
cancers of the glands
infertility and birth control
shortness (short stature)
menopause
osteoporosis
hypertension
Endocrinologists finish four years of medical school and then 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. Overall, an endocrinologist's
training will take more than 10 years.
Endocrine diseases and disorders can be grouped into several different
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 controlling blood sugar helps prevent serious
problems from diabetes. These can include problems in the eyes, kidneys
and nerves, which 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 problems 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 thyroid 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 hormone levels drop, bones can lose
tissue and weaken. Menopause, loss of testicle function, and aging may
put you at risk for bone fractures. 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, and
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 (PCOS), 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 such as, 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 production (Cushing's syndrome). Endocrinologists
control these conditions with medications and refer patients who need
surgery.
Growth
Children and adults can suffer the effects of not producing enough
growth hormone in their bodies. Pediatric endocrinologists treat
children who suffer from endocrine problems that cause short stature
and other growth disorders. Adults with growth hormone deficiency can
experience emotional and psychological distress, and feelings of
fatigue. Safe and effective growth hormone replacement therapy is
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 steroids), or genetic or metabolic conditions. Lipid disorders can be found in several conditions that require special management, including the metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and obesity. Special diets, exercise, and medications may be prescribed to manage hyperlipidemia and other lipid disorders.
