In general, endocrinology refers to the study of hormone related diseases and consultant endocrinologists are the ones who have the training to diagnose and treat these diseases. They help in restoring the hormone normal balance. The most common diseases and disorders of the endocrine system treated by these endocrinologist consultants are diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders. To know more in depth, we will discuss when you need to visit an endocrinologist or an endocrinology consultant.
First of all, you must know ‘what is the endocrine system?’ It is a system of the human body which consists of a number of glands which releases hormones to regulate metabolism, growth, respiration, reproduction, sensory perception and movement. Our body has more than fifty hormones and some of them exist in very small amount, however, their imbalance causes a significant impact on our body. This system consists of glands such as adrenal glands, hypothalamus, ovaries and testicles, pancreas, parathyroid glands, pineal, pituitary, thyroid, thymus, etc.
When do you need to see an endocrinologist?
You will need to pay a visit to these doctors when you are suffering from the following conditions:
· When your gland produces less than the required amount of hormones (hyposecretion)
· When your gland produces more than the required amount of hormones (hypersecretion)
· When a tumor is developing in the endocrine glands; the tumor may be malignant or cancerous but it may also be benign or non-cancerous.
But the question arises ‘how would I know if there is some hormone imbalance in my body?’ To clear this doubt, here I am mentioning some symptoms according to the respective glands. This will help you know when to see consultant endocrinologists. So, let’s take a thorough look.
· When your gland produces less than the required amount of hormones (hyposecretion)
· When your gland produces more than the required amount of hormones (hypersecretion)
· When a tumor is developing in the endocrine glands; the tumor may be malignant or cancerous but it may also be benign or non-cancerous.
But the question arises ‘how would I know if there is some hormone imbalance in my body?’ To clear this doubt, here I am mentioning some symptoms according to the respective glands. This will help you know when to see consultant endocrinologists. So, let’s take a thorough look.
Adrenal Gland:
· Hypersecretion: Excessive sweating, raised blood pressure, over-nervousness and Cushing’s disease
· Hyposecretion: Mineralocorticoid deficiency, weight loss, excessive loss of energy, anemia, Addison’s disease
Pancreas:
· Hypersecretion: Increased insulin which leads to low blood glucose –also called as hyperinsulinism
· Hyposecretion: Type 1 Diabetes
Thyroid Gland:
· Hyperthyroidism: Accelerated metabolism, excessive sweating, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), weight loss, nervousness
· Hypothyroidism: Tiredness, weight gain, depression, delayed development, abnormal bone development, stunted growth
Parathyroid Gland:
· Hypersecretion: Brittle bones (which can fracture easily), stones in urinary system
· Hyposecretion: Involuntary muscle contractions, tetany caused by low levels of plasma in blood
Pituitary Gland:
· Hypersecretion: Gigantism i.e. excessive growth
· Hyposecretion: Short stature i.e. slow bone growth
Thymus Gland:
· Hypersecretion: Overactive immune system which overreacts to perceived threats – often lead to autoimmune disease
· Hyposecretion: Weakened immune system which makes the body unable to fight from infection and to be easily infected by virus, bacteria and pathogens
Apart from the above mentioned problems, an endocrinologist also treats conditions like osteoporosis, menopause, metabolic disorders, infertility, vitamin D deficiency, precocious puberty, imbalanced cholesterol and lipids and much more. So, if you’re also facing such symptoms or diseases, you must go to consultant endocrinologists and get the proper treatment without any delay.
