Endocrinologist

What is an endocrinologist?

An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in hormones. An endocrinologist can diagnose endocrine conditions, develop treatment plans and prescribe medication.

Many common endocrine conditions are lifelong (chronic). So, you may see an endocrinologist throughout your life. They’re experts in their field and can help you manage the condition to lead a healthy life.

What is endocrinology?

Endocrinology is the study of hormones and endocrine glands and organs. This is your endocrine system.

Hormones help parts of your body communicate with other parts. Your body makes over 50 different hormones. They have a large role in many bodily functions, like:

• Metabolism
• Growth
• Sexual function and reproduction
• Sleep

Endocrine glands release hormones, like your thyroid and pituitary gland. Certain organs in your body also release hormones, like your pancreas and ovaries.

What do endocrinologists do?

Endocrinologists diagnose and provide treatment plans for endocrine conditions. Some of the roles of an endocrinologist include:

• Recommending and interpreting lab tests, like blood tests, to diagnose or monitor conditions
• Recommending imaging tests to check endocrine glands and organs
• Doing and interpreting bone mineral density tests
• Doing fine-needle aspiration biopsies of your thyroid
• Recommending treatment plans, which may include medication and/or surgery
• Prescribing medications
• Monitoring your management plan over time if you have a chronic condition

What does an endocrinologist treat?

An endocrinologist can diagnose and treat several conditions that involve your hormones. Some examples include:

• Calcium and bone conditions, like hypercalcemia and osteoporosis
• Diabetes
• Endocrine cancers and tumors, like thyroid cancer and neuroendocrine tumors
• Metabolic conditions, like obesity and metabolic syndrome
• Pituitary and adrenal gland conditions, like hypopituitarism and Cushing syndrome
• Sexual development and reproduction conditions, like hypogonadism and PCOS
• Thyroid diseases, like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

When should I see an endocrinologist?

Primary care physicians (PCPs) can diagnose and help manage many endocrine conditions. But you may benefit from seeing an endocrinologist. They’re likely more knowledgeable on the condition and more current on the medications and technology that can help treat it.

You can think of it like taking your vehicle to get fixed. You may want to take it to a repair shop that specializes in your vehicle’s brand instead of a general repair shop.

If your PCP thinks you have hormonal imbalances, they may refer you to an endocrinologist for a proper diagnosis. An endocrinologist could also be part of a healthcare team to treat certain conditions, like cancers and fertility issues.

What should I expect when seeing an endocrinologist?

You’ll most likely see an endocrinologist during an outpatient visit to their office. They’ll ask thorough questions about your medical history, current medications and symptoms. They may also do a physical exam.

What do endocrinologists specialize in?

An endocrinologist may specialize in certain areas of endocrinology called subspecialties, including:

• Diabetes and metabolism
• Endocrinology nuclear medicine (using nuclear medicine to diagnose and treat certain endocrine conditions)
• Endocrine oncology (cancers that affect your endocrine system)
• Metabolic bone disease and calcium disorders
• Neuroendocrinology (the interaction between your nervous system and endocrine system)
• Pediatric endocrinology
• Thyroid disease

You may also hear about reproductive endocrinologists. This is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology. These providers specialize in female infertility.