What does an endocrinologist treat? Endocrine glands and the hormones they produce

Such a doctor as an endocrinologist - what does he treat and who is he? This is a highly specialized specialist who is focused on identifying and eliminating problems with functioning. It is a collection of many organs capable of secreting special biological active substances(hormones).

Thanks to their functioning it is possible coordinated work the whole body. An endocrinologist specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all diseases associated with these organs.

Subsections of endocrinology

Who is an endocrinologist, what is his purpose? This doctor may have different specializations:

  • teenage or pediatric endocrinologist. This specialist Diagnoses and treats problems that are associated with physical, mental and sexual development from a very early age. People turn to children for help when hormonal disorders reproductive system in girls. Also within the competence this doctor treatment of other diseases in children affecting the glands internal secretion, including autoimmune, oncological;
  • endocrinologist for men and women. He can also be a surgeon, gynecologist, thyroidologist (he treats thyroid gland), diabetologist (specializes in diabetes), geneticist, gynecologist, etc. An endocrinologist also helps with other problems related to reproduction, obesity, diseases of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands and others.

What diseases are within the competence of an endocrinologist?

Endocrinologist (doctor) – who is he and what does he do? This specialist is competent in solving problems that relate to the functioning of the endocrine glands. These include the thyroid, pancreas, parathyroid, gonads, adrenal glands, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland.

What diseases does an endocrinologist treat, and when should one contact him? It may help with the following health problems:

  • . With this problem, there is an increased feeling of thirst and frequent urination, which is explained by dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary region in the brain;
  • diabetes mellitus. Develops when there is insufficient deficiency of the hormone insulin, which leads to metabolic disorders in the human body;
  • . Develops with excessive production of growth hormone;
  • autoimmune thyroiditis. This is a disease inflammatory in nature, which affects the thyroid gland and is due to malfunction immune system person;

  • . This disease is of a neuroendocrine nature, which is accompanied by an increase in the concentration of the main hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex;
  • goiter of the thyroid gland. This pathology accompanied by an increase in the size of the organ due to various reasons(it is not explained inflammatory processes or oncology);
  • disorders that are associated with changes in calcium concentration in the blood;
  • obesity that occurs due to hormonal imbalance. Both adult and pediatric endocrinologists deal with this problem;
  • osteoporosis. A disease that is accompanied by a decrease in bone density due to hormonal imbalances;
  • other diseases associated with lactation, disorders menstrual cycle, problems of the reproductive system in men and women, etc.

When should you visit a doctor?

What does an endocrinologist (doctor of various specializations) treat? When is it recommended to visit it? The examination by this doctor should take place during preventive examinations, which makes it possible to timely identify many dangerous violations. Also mandatory if you have one or more symptoms that may indicate:

  • fatigue that appears without objective reasons;
  • apathy and indifference to everything that happens;
  • frequent mood swings, depression;
  • trembling localized in the upper or lower extremities;
  • menstrual irregularities in women;
  • development of tachycardia;
  • excessive sweating;
  • unreasonable weight loss or weight gain;
  • lack of appetite;
  • decline intellectual abilities, memory impairment;
  • frequent constipation, constant feeling nausea;
  • sleep disorders;
  • deterioration in the appearance of nails and hair;
  • female or male infertility, the reasons for which have not been established.

What may indicate diabetes mellitus?

What is diabetes mellitus? This chronic disease, which is common cause contacting an endocrinologist. Suspect this dangerous condition possible based on the following symptoms:

  • frequent urination;
  • itching, which can be localized on the skin or mucous membranes;
  • frequent development inflammatory diseases on skin that is difficult to treat;
  • severe muscle weakness;
  • fatigue;
  • a feeling of thirst that does not disappear for a long time;
  • constant dry mouth;
  • frequent occurrence of headaches, which can be combined with an inexplicable feeling hunger;
  • visual impairment;
  • rapid decrease in body weight, which is often combined with increased appetite;
  • the appearance of pain in the calf muscles.

When should I take my child to an endocrinologist?

What does an endocrinologist do for a child’s health? Hormonal imbalance may occur due to the influence of various external and internal factors. A pediatric endocrinologist is the doctor who will help if there are disorders in any of the endocrine glands. The following symptoms may indicate this:

  • the child often suffers from colds and other diseases;
  • disturbances in mental or physical development are noticed;
  • Pathologies were discovered during puberty. Also, a pediatric endocrinologist takes part in the treatment of a child who has been found to have underdeveloped genital organs.

When else is it necessary to consult an endocrinologist?

What does an endocrinologist do, and should you contact him if there are no complaints? There are several cases when consultation with this doctor is necessary in mandatory. A good endocrinologist is needed in the following situations:

  • pregnancy planning;
  • bearing a child (on early stages or later);
  • premenopausal women;
  • choosing a contraceptive method, especially if you plan to use hormonal drugs;
  • all women and men over 45 years of age. The best option It is considered that an examination by an endocrinologist occurs annually. If you have any complaints, you should visit your doctor more often.

What items can be found in an endocrinologist's office?

An appointment with an endocrinologist is impossible without special equipment and instruments, which should be in every specialized office. These include:

  • scales, stadiometer, measuring tape to determine the basic parameters of the human body (weight, height, body circumference at different points);
  • glucometer with test strips for quickly determining blood sugar levels;
  • neurological set, which includes a special hammer, monofilament, graduated tuning fork. It is necessary for diagnosing diabetic neuropathy;
  • test strips for determination ketone bodies and protein in the urine.

How does a patient see an endocrinologist?

How does an appointment with an endocrinologist go, what does the doctor check? First of all, the specialist talks with the patient, studies his medical history, and takes into account the presence of any complaints. At the appointment, the doctor also examines the patient, which makes it possible to preliminarily determine the presence or absence of various pathologies.

In particular, the endocrinologist looks at the following:

  • At the appointment, the doctor must feel the neck in the area where the thyroid gland is located. This is necessary in order to determine its size, the presence or absence of seals;
  • lymph nodes are palpated. It is necessary to determine whether they are enlarged, which may indicate various pathologies;
  • if necessary, the examining doctor can examine the genitals;
  • blood pressure and pulse are measured and the heart is listened to;
  • looking around skin, nails, hair;
  • height and weight are measured.

If any problems are identified during the initial examination, the patient may be sent to additional examination. To compile proper treatment Often you need to take a blood test to determine general indicators, sugar levels, various hormones. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland, pelvic organs for women and other additional diagnostic procedures.

Endocrine diseases are confidently coming to the fore. Diabetes mellitus, sexual dysfunction, lipid metabolism disorders and other problems force you to seek help from an appropriate specialist. Who is an endocrinologist and what does he treat? We will answer this and other questions related to this area in the article.

Endocrine diseases are confidently coming to the fore

Medical branch aimed at diagnosing, treating and preventing work disorders endocrine system, called endocrinology. Specialist working in in this direction, – an endocrinologist has knowledge not only in his direct field. Since hormonal disorders affect all human organ systems, a doctor in this specialty must have extensive information about cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology and other areas of medicine.

Features of the work of an endocrinologist

Endocrinology is divided into adult and pediatric. The latter has its own characteristics, since the development and puberty a child is fundamentally different from the hormonal processes occurring in the body of an adult. In this regard, treatment methods preventive measures will also be different.

The work of an endocrinologist is not only to establish the very fact of the disease and its subsequent treatment. In addition, the doctor searches for the cause of violations, as well as eliminating those negative consequences that arose as a result of pathologies. This could be a correction metabolic disorders, restoring hormone balance and others.

Diabetology as a branch of endocrinology

Another branch of endocrinology, also classified as a separate category, is diabetology. The disease causes such extensive changes and disturbances in the body that it requires special consideration and even a specialized department.

Millions of patients suffer from diabetes, and new people join them every year. This disease is considered the most significant in social terms. Quite often, diabetes is discovered in young people (and even children) by chance, when visiting a therapist or other specialists.

The disease is chronic disorder carbohydrate metabolism in the human body. If tissue receptors have very low sensitivity to insulin or too little of it is produced (with pathological processes n cells of the pancreas), then a person experiences excess sugar in the blood. Diabetes mellitus is very dangerous due to its complications. Failure to provide timely assistance can lead to coma. Without constant monitoring of sugar levels, visits to an endocrinologist and treatment, the disease causes vision loss, gangrene, strokes, kidney failure and other serious pathologies.

What does an endocrinologist treat?

So what does an endocrinologist treat? These are diseases of such organs as: pancreas and thyroid gland, parathyroid and gonads, adrenal glands, thymus, hypothalamus and pituitary gland. If we look deeper, we can note the following disorders and conditions:

  • hypothyroidism;
  • obesity;
  • deficiency or excess of sex hormones;
  • acromegaly;
  • metabolic syndrome;
  • diabetes;
  • salt metabolism disorders;
  • osteoporosis and many others.

How is an appointment with an endocrinologist?

When planning an appointment with an endocrinologist, especially for the first time, you need to know what to prepare for. No special preparation like empty stomach or full bladder no need. If possible, you can take general blood and urine tests and blood sugar tests in advance. You can also pre-make ultrasound examination thyroid gland. Such preparation will significantly save time, will enable the specialist to understand the cause of the violations, and, if necessary, refer them to necessary examinations. However, you must keep in mind that without a referral, such preparation for the appointment will be at your expense.

When you come to see an endocrinologist, be prepared to tell not only what worries you, but also provide information about the diseases of your relatives, your lifestyle, and so on. Endocrine disorders can occur for a variety of reasons, so what you eat, how you sleep, and how you work will be important. The psychological component of your life (stress, emotional activity, etc.) is also not the least important.

After questioning, listening to complaints and an external examination, the endocrinologist can begin to measure your body parameters. This allows you to determine the type of constitution and identify signs of obesity or acromegaly. For this purpose, the office always has scales, a stadiometer, a measuring tape and other tools. It is also possible to measure the content of sugar or albumin in the blood directly in the endocrinologist’s office, using special test strips and a glucometer.

Based on the collected medical history, the doctor, if necessary, may send you for additional examination. You may need to consult another specialist. You may be referred for an ultrasound scan of the adrenal glands or pelvic organs, biochemical analysis blood and others diagnostic measures. After this, the endocrinologist makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment, the dynamics of which are under his control. If necessary, changes are made to the treatment plan.

Who needs to visit an endocrinologist?

For most patients, an endocrinologist is not a specialist whose visit is mandatory. A certificate will not be required from him at school or at the swimming pool, or during employment. As a rule, people in this doctor’s office are referred by other specialists. However, there are groups of people for whom such a visit is planned and necessary. This:

  • pregnant women;
  • future parents when planning a child;
  • when choosing contraceptives;
  • women before menopause;
  • people over 45 years of age (both men and women).

How preventive measure It is enough to visit an endocrinologist once a year. It is also advisable to periodically undergo examinations and take hormone tests for those people who do not have very good heredity, for example, diabetes.

When should you contact an endocrinologist?

Usually, patients come to an endocrinologist on a referral from doctors of other specialties, for example, from a general practitioner. However, you can visit a specialist yourself if you are concerned about conditions or sensations such as:

  • daytime drowsiness, weakness, rapid fatigue from minor efforts;
  • sudden weight loss or gain;
  • change in the shape or volume of the neck;
  • sudden periodic or constant feeling of internal heat;
  • frequent heartbeats;
  • frequent urination;
  • feeling thirsty or dry mouth;
  • rapid hair loss;
  • changes in the menstrual cycle;
  • changes in the condition of the skin and nails;
  • problems with the digestive tract;
  • frequent fractures or other injuries;
  • muscle cramps or tingling;
  • numbness of the limbs;
  • feeling of cold and chilliness;
  • trembling and/or weakness that goes away after a snack, and so on.

Hormonal imbalances in the body can occur gradually and unnoticed. Moreover, most often, they have a long and severe course. Therefore, it is very important to promptly consult an endocrinologist even with the most seemingly insignificant signs.

It is an early visit to a specialist that will help to make a correct diagnosis, identify the correct cause of the disease and eliminate it with appropriate competent treatment.

In addition, on early stages endocrine diseases is possible and effective not drug treatment using various diets and other activities.

Do children need to visit an endocrinologist?

Disturbances in the endocrine system in children are particularly dangerous changes, since it depends on them further development the whole body. Therefore, a pediatric endocrinologist is a responsible specialty. In addition, a doctor working with children must have a good knowledge of child psychology and age characteristics development of all organs.

Disturbances in the endocrine system in children are particularly dangerous changes

Violations are very common today hormonal levels in children under 14 years of age. Typically identified in childhood disorders are successfully treated and do not cause problems in the future. To protect the child from problems and serious diseases of the endocrine system, parents should consult a doctor in time.

You should contact a pediatric endocrinologist if your child:

  • began to get sick often;
  • eats poorly and quickly loses body weight;
  • gains weight quickly;
  • began to study poorly and get very tired;
  • does not develop sufficiently according to sexual characteristics;
  • growing slowly.

Parents should keep in mind that violations endocrine glands can manifest themselves not only in somatic form, but also in various behavioral deviations. For example, with diseases of the thyroid gland, a child can become very irritable, and at the same time he shows signs of overwork, aggression, and often changes his mood.

Thus, what an endocrinologist treats is the basis of every person’s life. Therefore, do not delay a visit to a specialist even if you have the slightest symptoms.

An endocrinologist is a specialist involved in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the endocrine system. It treats diseases such as diabetes, renal failure, endemic goiter and others.

For what symptoms should you visit an endocrinologist?

It is worth contacting an endocrinologist if the following symptoms are observed:

  • strong thirst that cannot be quenched, frequent urination;
  • drowsiness, muscle weakness;
  • chronic fatigue, lethargy;
  • pain in the joints of the legs;
  • weight gain for no apparent reason;
  • difficulty breathing and swallowing food;
  • infertility of unknown origin;
  • lack of appetite;
  • menstrual disorder;
  • mood swings;
  • tremor of the limbs;
  • problems with nails and hair;
  • intolerance to heat or cold;
  • increased sweating.

Any of these signs can become a symptom dangerous disease which requires immediate treatment.

Even in the absence of any clinical manifestations It is recommended to visit an endocrinologist once a year. Make an appointment with a good specialist made very convenient on the website https://medbox24.ru/.

How is the first appointment with an endocrinologist?

The initial reception proceeds approximately as follows. The doctor collects a complete medical history and listens to the patient’s complaints. Then the doctor examines the patient, feels lymph nodes, thyroid gland. He can determine whether they are enlarged in size and detect tumors in the thyroid gland.

At the appointment, blood pressure and pulse are measured, as hypertension or hypotension may be symptoms various diseases endocrine system.

The doctor prescribes necessary tests, among them may be:

Drug treatment may be prescribed. To clarify the diagnosis and adjust the treatment regimen, a repeated consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary.

Features of a secondary consultation with an endocrinologist

You must come to the secondary consultation with the results of the tests prescribed at the previous appointment, as they will help in the diagnosis correct diagnosis. Also, during the re-examination, the doctor will ask about the patient’s well-being, about the changes that have occurred to him after the initial consultation. It is possible that a final diagnosis will be made at the second appointment, and perhaps some additional tests. If necessary, the treatment regimen is adjusted.

How to undergo an examination by an endocrinologist during pregnancy?

Among the specialists that a pregnant woman should visit is an endocrinologist. At the appointment, the doctor asks the woman about her health, collects anamnesis, palpates the thyroid gland, prescribes standard tests, the results of which determine whether there are any pathologies, and makes predictions regarding the child’s health.

If health problems are identified, it is prescribed drug therapy. Don't be afraid that the reception medicines will have negative impact on the fetus, since many of them do not penetrate the placenta.

If a woman suffers endocrine diseases, then she should visit a specialist at the pregnancy planning stage. The specialist will not only give advice on how a woman can maintain her health, but also on how to give birth to a healthy child.

An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases involving dysfunction of the endocrine glands.

There are many diseases that he treats. Some of them require the involvement of doctors of related specialties. For example, if the patient is obese, an endocrinologist and a nutritionist are simultaneously observing, and if there are disorders menstrual function you can’t do without consulting a gynecologist.

An important step in the work of an endocrinologist is diagnosis. It includes procedures:

  • inspection;
  • laboratory tests- both classical (blood biochemistry, general blood test) and specific (glycemic profile, determination of mineral levels, hormonal levels);
  • instrumental methods studies - ultrasound, scintigraphy, MRI, CT;
  • Sometimes the doctor may resort to a biopsy.

What does an endocrinologist treat?

As for diseases, they can be:

  • primary, caused by the pathology of the organ itself;
  • secondary, caused by pathology of other organs.

organ

what diseases does an endocrinologist treat?

thyroid gland

diseases accompanied by hypo- and hyperthyroidism - autoimmune thyroiditis, secondary hyperthyroidism, endemic goiter, diffuse toxic goiter, injuries, developmental anomalies (hypoplasia and aplasia), oncological processes, cysts

parathyroid glands

hypo- and hyperparathyroidism due to trauma, adenoma, cancer, removal of part of an organ, inflammation, lack of calcium and vitamin D, poisoning, radiation

adrenal glands

Itsenko-Cushing syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, tumors

pancreas

diabetes mellitus: types 1 and 2, developing during pregnancy

male gonads

gynecomastia, male infertility, impotence

female gonads

cycle disorders, female infertility, hirsutism, menopausal syndrome

hypothalamus and pituitary gland

Itsenko-Cushing's disease, acromegaly, hypothalamic syndrome, gigantism, etc.

other

obesity, osteoporosis, combined pathology, etc.

What does an endocrinologist treat in women?

The reason for contacting a doctor of this specialty may be any of the diseases described above or suspicion of it. It is worth noting that practically
all endocrine pathology is inherited, so you need to visit an endocrinologist with for preventive purposes and do this regularly if one of your relatives has been diagnosed with disorders of the endocrine glands.

Another thing an endocrinologist should treat in women, although it would be more correct to use in this case term gynecologist-endocrinologist?

  • Planning a pregnancy is a reason to visit a doctor. He will carry out diagnostic measures in order to identify pathology and its timely correction. And if you already have some kind of pathology, the doctor will help you choose the optimal treatment regimen so that it does not affect your health. reproductive function and the course of pregnancy.
  • During pregnancy, consultation with an endocrinologist is also necessary. Even in the exchange card there is a point where the doctor must enter his conclusion and recommendations.
  • Choice of hormonal contraceptives also should not take place without the participation of an endocrinologist. There are many such drugs, each has contraindications, which only an experienced specialist can take into account and choose the ideal option taking into account the characteristics of the body.
  • Menopause in view of what is happening hormonal changes, also requires examination by an endocrinologist.

What does an endocrinologist treat in men?

Men most often turn to this doctor for erectile dysfunction and/or infertility. In this case, he is also observed by a urologist.

Also, arterial hypertension, from which men suffer more, can arise due to pathology of the endocrine system, or more precisely, a problem with the adrenal glands. For example, volumetric processes are manifested by increased blood pressure. Of course, without examination and examination by a doctor, it is impossible to detect the disease.

Regarding arterial hypertension- Patients often treat themselves, and, as a rule, unsuccessfully. Inefficiency antihypertensive drugs may indicate pathology of the adrenal glands, especially if it manifests at a young age.

Deviations in sexual development are also common in men, but not diagnosed in more recent years. early age. In this case, it is necessary to simultaneously solve problems with infertility.

Examination by an endocrinologist

Like any other doctor, it is important for an endocrinologist to know all the patient’s symptoms. Therefore, when going to a specialist, you need to remember when and in what order your complaints appeared, their dynamics. You should inform your doctor about what medications you took and whether they had any effect.

What else does an endocrinologist pay attention to?

  • Height, body weight.
  • Condition of skin, hair, nails.
  • Indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate and pulse characteristics.
  • Condition and size of lymph nodes and thyroid gland.
  • The degree of development of secondary sexual characteristics.

After a preliminary examination, the specialist prescribes tests and additional examination methods: general, hormone levels, ultrasound, tomogram, biopsy, etc.

Doctor's office

The endocrinologist's office must be equipped in such a way that all diagnostic procedures can be performed. on site" The following tools are required for this:

  1. stadiometer, measuring tape and scales - to obtain accurate anthropometric data and compare them with the norm;
  2. phonendoscope for listening to the heart;
  3. tonometer.

In addition, the doctor has equipment designed to examine patients with diabetes:

  1. to measure blood glucose levels - glucometer, test strips;
  2. lesion diagnostic kit nervous system- in fact, this is a neurologist's kit.

When should you see a doctor?

Symptoms endocrine disorders is extremely diverse, and it is neither possible nor necessary to describe every pathology in one article. Instead, we have identified several groups of symptoms to make it easier for you to understand. So, when should you see an endocrinologist?

  • cycle disorders in women;
  • change in mood or behavior - sudden lethargy or anxiety, irritability, nervousness, weakness, trembling (tremor);
  • permanent slight increase or decreased body temperature, chilliness, numbness in the arms or legs;
  • changes in body weight, appetite;
  • thirst, muscle weakness, fatigue, feeling of lack of air, palpitations;
  • brittle hair and nails, dry or damp skin, excessive sweating;
  • memory impairment, difficulty concentrating;
  • pain in bones, joints, frequent fractures;
  • decreased vision, photophobia, blurred or “floaters” before the eyes, bulging eyes;
  • problems with conception, etc.

Children should be shown to an endocrinologist if their immunity is reduced or their physical development age standards, abnormal puberty (early or late).

With these symptoms, consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary to decide on tactics and identify the cause. In this regard, we strongly recommend not to neglect this opportunity and engage in self-medication.

An endocrinologist examines diseases of the endocrine system, which includes the hypothalamus, pineal gland, gland. Such diseases include: diabetes insipidus(disturbance of the pituitary gland, causing sensation constant thirst), diabetes mellitus (a disease that occurs due to a lack of the hormone insulin), autoimmune thyroiditis (an enlargement of the thyroid gland caused by a lack of iodine in the body), calcium metabolism disorder (changes in calcium levels in the blood), Itsenko-Cushing's disease (a disease disruptive adrenal function), acromegaly ( overproduction growth hormone), disorders caused by pathologies of the endocrine system (obesity, neuropsychiatric disorders, muscle weakness, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis).

People turn to an endocrinologist if they experience frequent depressed mood, as well as problems associated with poor concentration.

Symptoms that require contacting an endocrinologist: constant feeling of fatigue, frequent fatigue without specific reasons, trembling of hands, legs, menstrual irregularities, prolonged or heavy menstruation, rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, difficulty tolerating heat or cold, problems with appetite, significant weight changes for no reason. An endocrinologist is also contacted in case of sleep disturbances of unknown origin, nausea, frequent constipation, or deterioration of hair and nails. Similar symptoms often indicate the presence of endocrine disorders, in particular, changes in the functioning of the thyroid gland, disturbances in the concentration of calcium in the blood (excess or deficiency) and other pathologies of hormonal origin.

How does an endocrinologist conduct an appointment?

During the initial appointment, the endocrinologist studies the medical history data, interviews the patient, and determines his condition. The doctor palpates the thyroid gland and lymph nodes, measures blood pressure, and listens to the heart. Depending on the patient’s complaints and the results of the initial examination, the patient may be prescribed additional medications.

TO additional methods endocrine system studies include ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, puncture, etc.

Some endocrinologists specialize in treating only certain diseases. Depending on the suspected disease, you can contact a diabetologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist, thyroid specialist, or pediatric endocrinologist.