Endocrinologist
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
An endocrinologist is a specialist who treats the endocrine system consisting of endocrine glands: the pituitary gland, the thyroid and parathyroid glands, the hypothalamus, the adrenal glands, the pancreas and the sex glands that produce hormones.
[1],
Reasons to enroll in an endocrinologist
The reason for the visit may be a constant desire to drink because of high blood sugar, dry skin, weakness in the body, a decrease in working capacity, sudden weight loss or overweight (obesity), frequent headaches, migraines, irritability, frequent aggression, constant drowsiness, sleep disorders, edema, decreased memory and intelligence, increased sweating, trembling of the hands, palpitations.
What analyzes and researches are carried out, if you have got on reception of the endocrinologist?
If a person has at least one of these signs, then he should apply to the endocrinologist. He will prescribe a lot of research: densitometry, computer and magnetic resonance (nuclear magnetic) tomography, radiography of the skull, puncture and scintigraphy of the thyroid gland, as well as laboratory tests - biochemical blood analysis, urine and blood tests for hormones, cholesterol, blood for sugar .
In the event that no diseases of the body are detected, the endocrinologist can prescribe preventive treatment so that no diseases of the immune system develop later.
What is the endocrinologist treating?
Hormones monitor the normal functioning of the human body and overall well-being in general, and are also responsible for metabolic processes in the body, growth and development, metabolism. The endocrinologist is able to cure hormonal disorders, due to a lack or an overabundance of secreted hormones. Although specialists in this field are divided into narrow specialists for certain diseases: endocrinologist-gynecologist, endocrinologist-dietician, endocrinologist, diabetologist.
A dietitian-endocrinologist helps a patient find the optimal diet for weight loss, without risk to health and fasting. Many people lose weight under the guidance of this particular doctor.
Also, the endocrinologist cures disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, treats diabetes, thyroid diseases (eg, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, nodular goiter, thyrotoxicosis), metabolic syndrome.
Patients with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of early formation of dangerous diseases leading to disability and often causing a heart attack and stroke. Modern medicine can reduce the risk and delay the formation of these diseases.
Often, overweight leads to diabetes and is combined with such common therapeutic problems as angina, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CHD), elevated levels of "bad" cholesterol, arrhythmia and heart failure, and so on.
The endocrinologist-gynecologist is engaged in various disorders of the reproductive system, menstrual cycle disorders, amenorrhea, hirsutism, menopausal disorders, pre-and menopausal syndrome, and also prescribes medications that relieve women of the symptoms of various diseases of the genital area and help them feel young again.
The endocrinologist helps to solve the causes of infertility, to find out the problems of various growth disorders, as well as the correct sexual development in children. Signs of endocrine diseases are detected by physicians of other specialties - therapists, rheumatologists, gynecologists, who then refer the patient to an endocrinologist. Some diseases without resorting to this particular specialist take years to develop and become chronic, sometimes violations are found accidentally by analysis or ultrasound. The endocrinologist is able to help in resolving most of the problems associated with disrupting the endocrine system.