Endocrinology
Comprehensive Management of Hormone Disorders
Hormones are substances produced by the body that send signals to cells in order to make them perform specific actions. From physical growth to sexual arousal, many bodily functions are regulated by hormones. The endocrine system can be seen as “master control” for hormone production. Many glands in the body produce hormones, and the endocrine system is the overseeing program that regulates these glands.
The endocrine system is composed of many different parts, including:
- The adrenal glands which release cortisol from the kidneys
- The pituitary gland which is at the base of the brain and sends signals to many glands in the body, but mostly the thyroid.
- The hypothalamus which sends signals to the pituitary gland that tell it when to release hormones
- The thyroid which controls the body’s metabolism
- The testes and ovaries which regulate male and female sex hormones, respectively
- The pineal gland which regulates sleeping patterns
- The thymus which helps develop the immune system early in life
- The parathyroid which helps bones develop
Endocrinology is the branch of medicine focused on studying and managing the endocrine system. Endocrine disorders can manifest in many different ways, so endocrinologists have to be knowledgeable in many aspects of bodily functions.
Conditions Treated by Endocrinologists
Many endocrine disorders may appear to be something else at first. In many cases, endocrine disorders are not diagnosed until treatments for similar, but unrelated medical problems have failed, leaving doctors to conclude that a hormone disorder may be responsible. Endocrine disorders are usually confirmed through a lab test.
Examples of endocrine disorders include:
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes
- Abnormal puberty
- Gigantism
- Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
- Irregular metabolism
- Infertility
- Graves’ Disease
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- Cystic Fibrosis
Methodist Health provides endocrinology services at the Multi-Specialty Clinic in Henderson.
