|
What is endocrinology? What is the endocrine system? What do endocrinologists do? What is an endocrinologist? |
|
What is endocrinology?
Endocrinology is the study of hormones. At its simplest, a hormone is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. Hormones are released (secreted) in the body and have an effect on other parts of the body. The effect is to communicate with possibly distant parts of the body. So for example, the adrenal glands may secrete adrenalin, which has an effect on several different organs. An endocrine gland is a gland which secretes hormones (note that not all glands are classified as endocrine glands; for example, sweat glands or lymph glands are not endocrine glands). Hormones are found in all organisms with more than one cell, and so they are found in plants and animals. They influence or control a wide range of physiological activities, such as growth, development, puberty, level of alertness, sugar regulation and appetite, bone growth, etc. You also find that problems with hormones and the way they work contribute to some of the major diseases of mankind; for example, diabetes, thyroid conditions, pituitary conditions, some sexual problems, some neurological problems, appetite and obesity, bone problems, cancer, etc. There are whole sub-specialities devoted to specific areas where hormones work. For example: * Paediatric endocrinology, looking at hormones in children * Thyroid endocrinology, looking at how the thyroid affects metabolism * Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, where chemicals which mimic the effects of hormones are present in the environment * Comparative endocrinology, which looks at the way similar hormones work in different species (e.g. from insects, through to fish, birds, mammals, etc) Endocrinology is the field of medicine involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of the endocrine system. The complex group of glands that make up the endocrine system include the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, ovaries, testes, pancreas, and hypothalamus. These glands produce the hormones (or chemical agents) that travel through the blood and control activities throughout the body. There are different types of hormones that control bodily processes, such as metabolism, reproduction, development, and growth. The different classes of hormones are divided into three groups: amines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine), peptides and protein (leptin, ghrelin, and insulin), and steroids (glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens, estrogens, and progestagens). Hormones give the body energy, nutrition, and control the responses to stimuli. They regulate appetite, alertness, bone growth, and overall human development. Endocrinologists diagnose and treat diseases that affect the endocrine system. These doctors treat hormone imbalances, thyroid disease, disorders of the metabolism, obesity, infertility, diabetes, osteoporosis, problems with menopause, hypertension, lipid (cholesterol) problems, endocrine cancer, excessive hair growth, and growth problems. Doctors who specialize in endocrinology must complete medical school, complete a three to four year residency, and secure a fellowship studying the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders. Training involves extensive study in biochemistry and clinical chemistry as an endocrinologists work is often guided by laboratory tests. Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system and its various disorders. The endocrine system controls every function in the body and releases chemicals called hormones into the bloodstream which are transported around the body. What is the endocrine system? The endocrine system is comprised of organs and glands within the body which produce hormones, e.g. testosterone, that control processes in the body. This system is responsible for metabolic rate, sexual development and growth. Major glands of this system include the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, adrenal glands, ovaries, testes and the thyroid gland. The pituitary gland is the dominant player in the endocrine system but is supported by other glands. These glands control body temperature, the metabolism, sexual function and bone growth. The endocrine system is a complex group of glands. Glands are organs that make hormones. These are substances that help to control activities in your body. Different types of hormones control reproduction, metabolism (food burning and waste elimination), and growth and development. Hormones also control the way you respond to your surroundings, and they help to provide the proper amount of energy and nutrition your body needs to function. The glands that make up the endocrine system include the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal, pituitary and hypothalamus. What is an endocrinologist? An endocrinologist is a specially trained doctor. Endocrinologists diagnose diseases that affect your glands. They know how to treat conditions that are often complex and involve many systems within your body. Your primary care doctor refers you to an endocrinologist when you have a problem with your endocrine system. What is an endocrinologist? This is a specialist who diagnoses and treats diseases of the endocrine system. What do endocrinologists do? Endocrinologists are trained to diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in your system. They take care of many conditions including: * diabetes * thyroid diseases * metabolic disorders * over or under production of hormones * menopause * osteoporosis * hypertension * cholesterol (lipid) disorders * infertility * lack of growth (short stature) * cancers of the endocrine glands Endocrinologists also conduct basic research to learn the way glands work, and clinical research to learn the best methods to treat patients with a hormone imbalance. Through research, endocrinologists develop new drugs and treatments for hormone problems. They evaluate and recommend a course of treatment for a specific endocrine disorder. They can also help with long term management of a hormone deficiency or disease. They do not perform surgery: a surgical case is referred to an endocrine surgeon. Endocrinologists treat the following conditions: * Diabetes (insufficient/ineffective insulin production) * Gigantism (excess growth hormone) * Addison’s disease (problems with the adrenal glands) * Cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol production) * Hyper/hypothyroidism (over/under active thyroid) * Polycystic ovary syndrome (multiple cysts on the ovaries) What type of medical training do endocrinologists receive? 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. What are the most common endocrine diseases and disorders? Diseases and disorders of the endocrine system can be grouped into several different areas. Some endocrinologists focus on one or two endocrine system diseases, 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 that can be caused by diabetes. These can include problems with 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 conditions 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 thyroid hormone (conditions respectively caused by either an overactive or underactive thyroid). They help patients reach a hormone balance by replacing or blocking thyroid hormone. Endocrinologists also receive special training to manage patients with thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer, and enlarged 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 are abnormal, bones can lose calcium and weaken. Menopause, in women, and loss of testicle function, in men, and aging may put you at risk for bone fractures. Endocrinologists treat other disorders that can affect bones, such as too much parathyroid hormone and long term use of steroids like prednisone. Reproduction/Infertility About one in ten American couples are infertile. Endocrine research has helped thousands of couples to have children. Endocrinologists diagnose and treat hormone imbalances that can cause infertility, and also assess and treat patients with reproductive problems. They work with patients who need hormone replacement. Problems treated by endocrinologists specializing in reproductive endocrinology 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, sometimes because of metabolic and hormonal problems. When someone is obese they have 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 important hormones. Over - or under - production of pituitary hormones can cause a hormone imbalance that 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 have effects from not making enough growth hormone. 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 distress and fatigue. Safe and effective growth hormone replacement therapy is available for people with growth hormone imbalance. 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 rare adrenal growth called a pheochromocytoma also may cause a hormone imbalance that leads to 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 (coronary) disease, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease (problems with circulation in the legs). Endocrinologists are trained to detect factors that may be related to lipid disorders, such as hypothyroidism (a hormone imbalance caused by thyroid conditions), 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. |