An endocrinologist is a health care provider who specializes in the treatment of hormonal problems and diseases of endocrine glands. The problems with hormones and the endocrine system are often complex and require high-quality medical attention. They can affect many body organs and worsen the quality of life significantly. For this reason, it is important to visit an endocrinologist as soon as possible if you suspect you have endocrine disease.
You may need to see an endocrinologist if you suspect you have:
1. Thyroid problems
Thyroid disorder is one of the most common endocrine diseases in the United States and around the world. The thyroid gland is an essential organ that produces thyroid hormones. They regulate your metabolism and can speed up or slow down your heartbeat. Because of thyroid disorder, your thyroid gland may start producing too much or not enough thyroid hormones.
When you have too much thyroid hormones, this accelerates your metabolism and can cause unexplained weight loss and heart arrhythmia. When the levels of this hormone become low, all your body organs and functions become sluggish. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate and persistent medical attention. Without proper treatment, thyroid disorder can cause permanent damage to body organs and worsen your overall well-being.
2. Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition that affects women of reproductive age. This disease causes high levels of the male hormone androgen and insulin. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that can cause a variety of symptoms and related health problems. Some of the common symptoms include:
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Enlarged ovaries
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Diabetes
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Irregular periods
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Infertility
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Excessive hair growth
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Weight gain
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Acne
If left untreated, this condition can lead to even more serious health problems. The symptoms of PCOS can contribute to sleep apnea, acne scars, heart disease, and even cancer. The doctor may prescribe hormonal therapy and lifestyle changes to balance hormones and insulin levels.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes is probably the most common endocrine disease in the United States and worldwide. With this condition, your pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to process sugars and convert them into energy. This leads to the build-up of sugars in your blood. The symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and eye problems like blurry vision. Some people with diabetes frequently develop a complication called a diabetic foot.
It is crucial to treat diabetes and manage blood sugar levels. Lack of treatment can result in serious complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and nerve damage. The treatment of diabetes usually includes lifestyle changes, insulin injections, losing excess weight, and using oral medications.
4. Growth disorder
Growth disorder is a health problem that prevents the child’s normal and healthy development. This can affect the child’s height, weight, sexual maturity, and other characteristics. The common growth disorders include short stature, growth delay, growth hormone deficiency, and Turner syndrome. Some of these conditions are caused by growth hormone while other results from problems with sex hormones.
Endocrinologists can help diagnose the imbalance of hormones and help regulate them. This often helps improve growth issues and prevent other health problems in the future. Growth disorders are complex, so it is important to seek the medical help of an experienced endocrinologist.
5. Infertility
Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system that causes difficulty or inability to achieve a pregnancy for longer than 12 months of regular attempts. Infertility is often caused by disorders of the endocrine system and hormonal imbalances. In this case, your general doctor can refer you to a specialist called a reproductive endocrinologist. This is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of infertility associated with hormones.
The treatment of your disorder will depend on the root cause of infertility, but it almost always includes hormonal medications. Hormonal therapy can help regulate your hormones and prepare the uterus for pregnancy.
