Many individuals are unsure if they need the services of an endocrinologist or even what endocrinologists do. Wikipedia has a good introduction on endocrinology as follows:
“Endocrinology is a branch of [internal] medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions called hormones, as well as the integration of developmental events, proliferation, growth, and differentiation, and also the psychological or behavioral activities of metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sleep, digestion, respiration, excretion, mood, stress, lactation, movement, reproduction, and sensory perception as caused by [disturbances in] hormone [action].
The endocrine system consists of several glands, all in different parts of the body that secrete hormones directly into the blood rather than into a duct system. Hormones have many different functions and modes of action; one hormone may have several effects on different target organs, and, conversely, one target organ may be affected by more than one hormone.”
If this sounds complicated, it is. Many endocrine disorders are complex and involve a lot of attention to small yet critical details which can fall through the cracks in family practice and internal medicine practices that have not been trained in, or have experience with, the subtle nuances of endocrine and metabolic disorders and their treatment. As we like to say, “It really can be rocket science.”
Below is a list of the diseases we help treat here at Idaho Diabetes. Please Contact Us for more information.
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Goiter
Parathyroid dysfunction
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertension
Hypoglycemia
Metabolic Syndrome (Insulin Resistance)
Addison’s disease (Adrenal Insufficiency)
Cushing’s Disease/Syndrome (Adrenal Excess)
Growth Hormone Disorders (Deficiency and Excess)
Short Stature
Male Hypogonadism
Menopause
Female Hirsutism
Osteoporosis