An endocrinologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in endocrinology, a field of medicine that studies conditions related to your hormones. An endocrinologist can diagnose endocrine conditions, develop treatment and management plans for them and prescribe medication.
What types of problems does an endocrinologist treat?
Endocrinologists are qualified to diagnose and treat conditions like diabetes, thyroid diseases, infertility, growth issues, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, some cancers, and disorders in the hormone-producing adrenal glands and pituitary glands.
What is endocrine care?
Our endocrinology care includes expertise and resources to diagnose and treat endocrine disorders, and the hormone imbalances they cause, by restoring normal hormone balance with medications or other therapies, diet and nutrition.
What symptoms do endocrinologists treat?
If you have these conditions or any of the following symptoms, an endocrinologist can help.
- Fatigue.
- Unexplained weight gain or loss.
- Anxiety or depression.
- New or increased hair growth.
- Changes in menstrual periods.
- Muscle weakness.
- Feeling cold.
- Hot flashes.
What does an endocrine specialist do? – Related Questions
What are signs of endocrine problems?
What Are the Symptoms of an Endocrine Disorder?
- Mood swings.
- Fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Unintended weight fluctuations.
- Changes in blood glucose levels or cholesterol levels.
What are 3 types of endocrine disorders?
Endocrine Diseases
- Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison’s Disease.
- Pregnancy & Thyroid Disease.
Why would you go to an endocrinologist?
An endocrinologist can diagnose and treat hormone problems and the complications that arise from them. Hormones regulate metabolism, respiration, growth, reproduction, sensory perception, and movement. Hormone imbalances are the underlying reason for a wide range of medical conditions.
When should you be referred to an endocrinologist?
What Diseases Does an Endocrinologist Treat?
- Diabetes mellitus type 1 and type 2.
- Thyroid disorders: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
- Goiter.
- Polycystic ovarian disease.
- Addison’s disease.
- Cushing’s syndrome.
- Gigantism.
- Dwarfism.
When should a woman see an endocrinologist?
Your primary care doctor may be able to manage uncomplicated thyroid disorders such as mild hypothyroidism, with medication. But if your body is exhibiting serious abnormalities, lumps or an enlarged thyroid gland, or unexplained changes in weight, your doctor will likely recommend a visit to an endocrinologist.
What tests do endocrinologists test for?
In many cases, urine and bloods tests are used to check your hormone levels, in some cases, Imaging tests are done to pinpoint or locate a tumor or other abnormalities that may be affecting the endocrine glands.
What do I need to know before seeing an endocrinologist?
Before you see your endocrinologist, you should obtain a copy of your recent diabetes lab test results and any related medical records to discuss with your endocrinologist at the appointment. Tell your endocrinologist what other doctors you see for your diabetes, such as kidney, eye, or feet specialists.
How can I keep my endocrine system healthy?
To help keep your endocrine system healthy:
- Get plenty of exercise.
- Eat a nutritious diet.
- Go for regular medical checkups.
- Talk to the doctor before taking any supplements or herbal treatments.
- Let the doctor know about any family history of endocrine problems, such as diabetes or thyroid problems.
Why would an endocrinologist order an ultrasound?
Ultrasound testing utilizes sound waves to detect abnormal masses or fluids inside soft tissues. When used by endocrinologists, ultrasounds are useful in detecting thyroids nodules, lymph nodes, enlarged parathyroid glands, and other concerning masses that may form in the body.
What cancers does an endocrinologist diagnose?
Endocrine cancers are those found in tissues of the endocrine system, which includes the thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, parathyroid, and pituitary glands.
- Adrenal Tumors.
- Neuroendocrine Tumors.
- Parathyroid Tumors.
- Pituitary Tumors.
- Thyroid Disorders.
What will an ultrasound of the thyroid show?
Thyroid ultrasound is a sound wave picture of the thyroid gland taken by a hand-held instrument and translated to a 2-dimensional picture on a monitor. It is used in diagnosis of tumors, cysts or goiters of the thyroid, and is a painless, no-risk procedure.
Can an ultrasound tell if a thyroid nodule is cancerous?
The vast majority — more than 95% — of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous). If concern arises about the possibility of cancer, the doctor may simply recommend monitoring the nodule over time to see if it grows. Ultrasound can help evaluate a thyroid nodule and determine the need for biopsy.
What are the symptoms of cancerous thyroid nodules?
Symptoms
- A lump (nodule) that can be felt through the skin on your neck.
- A feeling that close-fitting shirt collars are becoming too tight.
- Changes to your voice, including increasing hoarseness.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck.
- Pain in your neck and throat.
What are black spots on a thyroid ultrasound?
A hypoechoic nodule, sometimes called a hypoechoic lesion, on the thyroid is a mass that appears darker on the ultrasound than the surrounding tissue. This often indicates that a nodule is full of solid, rather than liquid, components.
Can a radiologist tell if a thyroid nodule is cancerous?
The only way to definitively determine if a thyroid nodule is cancerous is to examine it under a microscope. The most common method is called fine need aspiration (FNA) biopsy, where a very small needle is inserted into the thyroid nodule and cells are removed for microscopic examination.
What is the main cause of thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules are caused by an overgrowth of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can be: Not cancer (benign), thyroid cancer (malignant), or very rarely, other cancers or infections. Fluid-filled (cysts)
