Endocrinology

What Is Endocrinology?

The body’s endocrine system is vast, to say the least. This series of glands produce and secrete hormones the body uses for nearly every function—our breathing, digestion, reproduction, and even our movement. The conversation between glands and bodily functions is ever-present, taking place all day, every day. A breakdown in this conversation can disrupt our body’s ability to regulate physiological actions related to growth, development, moods and much more. Endocrinology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the endocrine glands, the actions of hormones, and the body’s metabolic process. Endocrinologists are specially trained to diagnose diseases related to the glands, no matter where the diseases show up in the body.

How We Are Different

Our endocrinologists understand the delicate relationship between glands, the hormones they produce, and the messages they carry to the body. We see patients at all ends of the spectrum, from people who are frequently tired, to those facing thyroid cancer. With diabetic patients, we apply our knowledge of nutrition and disease to help improve health across a lifetime of needs, and connect patients with educators and dieticians as needed.

State of the art diagnosis and therapy options for endocrinology patients, including:

• Adrenal insufficiency
• Clinical dietetics
• Diabetes education program
• Fine need aspiration for thyroid nodules
• Graves’ Disease
• Intensive treatment for lipid disorders
• Intensive medical therapy for diabetes management, osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease
• Pituitary-gonad-adrenal treatment
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid diseases
• Treatment for pregnancy induced diabetes
• Comprehensive diabetes management
• 72-hour glucose monitoring

How do endocrine diseases show up in the body?

Endocrine diseases fall into three categories: tumors, gland hyper-secretion, and gland hypo-secretion. Tumors in the glands—cancerous or benign—can cause hormone balance problems. Gland hyper-secretion happens when a gland secretes too much of the hormone it is designed to create. Conversely, gland hypo-secretion happens when the body has a deficiency of a certain hormone due to the glands secreting not enough.

Is diabetes an endocrine disease?

Yes—in fact, diabetes is the most common endocrine disease in the U.S. More specifically, diabetes is a metabolic disorder, which occur when abnormal chemical reactions in your body disrupt the body’s ability to create energy from the food we eat. People develop metabolic disorders when organs such as the liver or pancreas become diseased or do not function normally.

Is chronic fatigue syndrome an endocrine problem, or a sleep issue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a challenging condition, and can be a source of great stress for patients and their families. Some patients may present a range of symptoms, and yet doctors may still find nothing “abnormal” in their physical exam. The condition causes long-term, energy-draining tiredness that does not improve with sleep. It is often linked with issues in the endocrine system, such as abnormalities of the thyroid, or calcium metabolism. A series of tests help us determine the underlying cause of your fatigue, and collaborate with sleep medicine specialists, pulmonologists, cardiologists and others to be sure you have the right treatment plan in place.

For many, hormones—what they are and how they work—remain a mystery. With one of the largest endocrinology departments in the area, you can expect to benefit from our wealth of knowledge and expertise. Our specialists shine light on to the crucial workings of your endocrine system, evaluate and treat all endocrine and metabolic disorders, and provide you with urgent, ongoing, and follow-up care.