What is endocrinology?
Endocrinology is a medical specialty that deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the endocrine system. The endocrine system consists of various glands that secrete hormones, and hormones are chemical substances that regulate many functions in the body. Endocrine glands and certain organs in the body make up the endocrine system.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers that travel from one endocrine gland or organ in the body to another part of the body through the bloodstream. They help different parts of the body communicate with each other and play vital roles in many key functions of the organism, such as:
- Metabolism (how the food you eat is converted into energy that the body can use).
- Growth
- Sexual function and reproduction
- Sleep
Your body produces and releases more than 50 different hormones. Some of these hormones include:
- Adrenaline
- Estrogen
- Growth hormone
- Insulin
- Melatonin
- Thyroid hormone
- Testosterone
Glands
Certain glands in the body, called endocrine glands, produce and release hormones. Glands are specialized tissues in the body that create and release substances. Endocrine glands in the body include:
- Adrenal glands
- Parathyroid glands
- Pineal gland
- Pituitary gland
- Thyroid gland
In the body, you also have other glands that are not endocrine glands, such as sweat glands and lymph nodes.
Organs of the endocrine system
Certain organs in the body also produce and release hormones. An organ is a group of tissues that form a structure that performs specific important functions in the body. Organs that are part of the endocrine system include:
- Pancreas
- Hypothalamus (part of the brain, which is an organ)
- Ovaries
- Testicles
What diseases can an endocrinologist detect?
An endocrinologist at Puls Dedinje Diagnostic Center focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of hormone-related disorders and the study of metabolic disorders. An endocrinologist can treat a wide range of conditions, including:
Diabetes
Endocrinologists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, a disorder in which the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels.
Thyroid Disorders
Endocrinologists diagnose and treat conditions such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
Adrenal Gland Disorders
Endocrinologists deal with disorders of the adrenal glands, including Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, and pheochromocytoma.
Growth Disorders
Endocrinologists can treat children and adults with growth disorders such as acromegaly, hypopituitarism, and others.
Reproductive System Disorders
Endocrinologists may address disorders of the menstrual cycle, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other conditions related to the reproductive system.
Osteoporosis
Endocrinologists focus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, a disease that leads to decreased bone mass and increases the risk of fractures.
An endocrinologist typically collaborates with other medical professionals, including general practitioner, internists, surgeons, and radiologists, to provide comprehensive patient care.
Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders
An endocrinologist can develop treatment plans and manage metabolic disorders. Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorders. Types of diabetes and other metabolic disorders include:
- Type 1 diabetes (your pancreas no longer produces insulin due to an autoimmune attack)
- Type 2 diabetes (your body does not use insulin produced by your pancreas properly)
- Gestational diabetes (temporary diabetes during pregnancy)
- Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, or LADA (type 1 diabetes that occurs later in life)
- Pancreatic diabetes (caused by chronic pancreatitis)
- Diabetes with severe fluctuations in blood sugar levels
- Inherited metabolic diseases
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
Endocrine Cancers and Tumors
An endocrinologist can diagnose and treat endocrine cancers and tumors, which are named after the gland or organ where they occur. Different types of endocrine cancers and tumors include:
- Adrenal gland tumors
- Adrenocortical carcinoma
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Pancreatic cancer
- Parathyroid gland cancer
- Parathyroid gland tumors
- Pituitary tumors
- Thyroid cancer
Disorders of the thyroid gland
Endocrinologists can treat thyroid disorders, which is a general term for any medical condition that prevents the thyroid gland from producing an adequate amount of hormones. Several conditions can affect thyroid function, including:
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
- Graves’ disease (an autoimmune condition that causes hyperthyroidism)
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism)
- Hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormones)
- Hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormones)
- Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland)
- Thyroid conditions associated with pregnancy
- Thyroid nodules
Conditions related to sexual development, function, and reproduction
In sexual development, function, and reproduction, several hormones are involved. Endocrinologists can treat the following conditions related to sex hormones:
- Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Deficiency and excess of growth hormones (acromegaly or gigantism)
- Gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue in males)
- Hormonally related infertility
- Hypogonadism (low testosterone levels or low estrogen levels)
- Ovarian cysts
- Menopause disorders
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Disorders of sexual hormones
Conditions related to calcium and bones
Several hormones affect bone metabolism and calcium levels. Endocrinologists can treat the following conditions related to calcium and bone health:
- Hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels)
- Hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels)
- Metabolic bone disease
- Osteopenia and osteoporosis (lack of bone mass and strength)
- Vitamin D deficiency
You can find the prices for endocrinologist consultations in our price list.
