What Is Endocrinology And What Does An Endocrinologist Do?

 According to thyroid.org, more than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. However, many of these people are not even aware of violations in the thyroid gland, since they have never turned to an endocrinologist in their lives. 

Such a specialist is not on the list of must-sees, so very often the onset of the development of pathology goes unnoticed, and the consequences are quite serious.

What Is Endocrinology? 

Endocrinology is the field of medicine that studies the structure and work of the endocrine glands. It is they who produce special substances such as hormones that have a significant impact on all body systems.

The endocrinologist controls the work of this entire complex system, detects violations in its functioning, treats and prevents pathologies associated with the production of hormones. 

The doctor treats not only the diseases themselves, but also their consequences. For example, corrects hormonal balance ,takes measures to restore normal metabolism, and eliminates sexual dysfunction.

What Does An Endocrinologist Treat?

In endocrinology, there are two subsections. The first covers the problems of growth, sexual development. It is at these stages that pathologies associated with hormones can occur. Pediatric endocrinology deals with such issues.

A separate section is considered diabetology, which a direction dedicated to the detection and treatment of diabetes mellitus, as well as its complications. This is a very complex and dangerous chronic disease, so a separate area is required for its treatment and prevention.

But the work of an endocrinologist is not limited to diabetes and hormonal disorders in childhood. He is engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of many other diseases, such as:

• An increase in the thyroid gland caused by a lack of iodine;

• Pathologies caused by a decrease or increase in the content of calcium in the blood serum;

• Inflammation of the thyroid gland;

• Acondition in which a person feels constant dryness in the mouth due to dysfunction of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus;

• Disorders of the adrenal cortex;

• Excess production of growth hormone. 

The endocrinologist identifies and treats any disorders in the endocrine system. These can be obesity and muscle weakness, problems with sexual function and osteoporosis, tumors in the endocrine glands, as well as other diseases such as neuropsychiatric.

When Should You Contact An Endocrinologist?

Most of these diseases do not make themselves felt for some time. Even if they give some manifestations, the symptoms are often attributed to other, more understandable diseases like colds, or simply overwork. 

In order not to miss the beginning of the development of pathology and not to waste time on dangerous and useless self-treatment, you need to know exactly when to contact an endocrinologist. It is necessary to consult with such a specialist if you notice that:

• Began to get tired quickly, you constantly feel weakness, drowsiness, memory problems appeared;

• You have regular numbness in your arms or legs;

• Tearfulness, irritability, depression have become your companions;

• Your hair started to fall out;

• Weight in a short time increased significantly or decreased for no apparent reason;

• Feel a lump in the throat, and discomfort in the neck;

• Constantly want to drink;

• Sleep poorly at night;

• Vision has noticeably deteriorated;

• It became difficult to endure heat or cold, although this was not the case before;

• Acne, unusual body hair, headaches, including those associated with hunger, appeared;

• The skin became drier and seemed to be thinner. 

The reason for contacting an endocrinologist should be frequent urination or constipation, cramps and soreness in the calves of the legs, menstrual irregularities in women or sexual function in men. 

All of these symptoms may well be signs of endocrine diseases, metabolic disorders due to a failure in the production of certain hormones. And it is also necessary to visit an endocrinologist for couples planning the birth of a child, people who are overweight or underweight, even if they do not have any signs of illness.

Why Is It Important To Visit The Doctor Regularly?

The insidiousness of the pathologies of the endocrine glands lies in the fact that the pathologies begin imperceptibly. 

At first, hormonal failure may not manifest itself in any way, and by the time the symptoms become apparent, the disease has already gained momentum, and it is much more difficult to deal with it. 

Everyone knows that any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. And with diseases of the endocrine glands, this rule works 100%. Very often, for the prevention of quite serious diseases, for example, diabetes, some changes in lifestyle are enough. 

And then the pathology can be prevented without drugs, regular insulin injections and an ever-growing danger to all body systems.

That is why it is necessary to undergo examinations at the endocrinologist regularly. It is much easier to make an appointment at a convenient time for yourself than to wait for the moment when you are simply forced to see a doctor, leaving all your affairs. 

There are situations when it is necessary to contact an endocrinologist. A vivid example is when someone in the family had the same diabetes mellitus or another disease of the endocrine glands.

What Tests Does An Endocrinologist Prescribe?

To check how the endocrine system works, whether there is a deficiency or an excess of hormones, the doctor prescribes certain tests and examinations, for example, ultrasound of the thyroid gland. 

What kind of research is needed, the doctor determines, based on the presence of certain symptoms, gender and age, and the person's well-being. The only test that should be ready by the time you visit a doctor is for blood glucose.

Glucose enters the blood from the liver and intestines. The substance circulates through all systems and organs, and acts as a source of energy for humans. 

In order for glucose to be absorbed, the hormone insulin is needed, which is produced in the pancreas. If glucose metabolism is disturbed, its content in the blood decreases or increases markedly, and this is reflected in the results of the analysis. 

Such an analysis reveals not only diabetes mellitus. According to its results, the doctor will see the pre-diabetic condition and will be able to prescribe preventive measures in time. Elevated or decreased blood glucose levels may indicate other diseases of the endocrine system. 

Prevention Is Easier Than Cure

A consultation with an endocrinologist should definitely be included in the list of doctors who need to be visited regularly. This will allow timely detection of violations in the hormonal background and prevent the development of a number of diseases. 

At most of the medical center you can get a consultation with an endocrinologist by making an appointment by calling their hotline number. 

To get a free consultation, you call this mental health care clinic MD TurCare, or visit their website for more information.