Endocrinology

Endocrinology is a branch of medicine concerned with the study of the endocrine system and endocrine glands.

The endocrine system is made up of a collection of glands that produce hormones and secrete them into the bloodstream to regulate various body functions.

Important endocrine glands include the thyroid, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, parathyroid glands and gonads (testes in men and ovaries in women).

Hormones produced by these glands play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, growth and development, immune function, water and electrolyte balance, reproduction and more.

Endocrinology specialists, called endocrinologists, deal with the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and other conditions related to hormone imbalance.

Specific conditions:

• Thyroid and parathyroid disorders:
  hypo/hyperthyroidism,
  thyroiditis (especially autoimmune-Hashimoto’s)
• Nodular goiter, Graves Basedow’s disease,
  hyper/hypoparathyroidism etc.
• Gonadal disorders:
  micropolycystic ovary syndrome,
  hypogonadism in men,
  hyperandrogenism,
  infertility due to endocrine causes

• Pituitary disorders:
  pituitary adenoma,
  acromegaly,
  prolactinoma,
  postpartum pituitary insufficiency
• Pancreatic disorders:
  hyperinsulinemia (associated with low blood glucose),
  diabetes mellitus

• Adrenal gland diseases:
  Hormonal hypersecretion (Cushing’s syndrome,
  Conn’s disease – primary hyperaldosteronism, pheochromocytoma),
  Hormonal hyposecretion (Addison’s disease),
  Enzymatic defects of steroidogenesis (Adrenogenital syndrome)
• Diseases of the thymus:
  lymphoid aplasia, myasthenia gravis hypogammaglobulinemia etc.
• Disorders of calcium metabolism: osteoporosis, osteomalacia.