Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the endocrine system is the field of activity of the endocrinologist. To become such a specialist, you need to devote five years of your life to full-time study at a medical university, and then three years to an internship. There is no clear answer to the question of what the endocrinologist treats. These are malignant diseases of the thyroid gland, and diabetes mellitus, and pathologies of the female hormonal system, and obesity, and dozens of different ailments. They are united by only one thing - they are all associated with pathologies of the human endocrine system. From this article you will find out what diseases the endocrinologist treats.
The main sections of endocrinology
This medical science studies the structure of endocrine glands, hormones and their effect on the human body. The field of study of endocrinology is the entire spectrum of the hormonal system, but nevertheless, several main areas can be distinguished:
- Diabetology studies diabetes. This is an incurable disease. Thanks to endocrinology, today, diabetic patients can lead an almost full-fledged lifestyle. Diagnosis, treatment, prevention and the likelihood of complications of a violation of the production and absorption of the hormone insulin are considered.
- Pathologies in the children's endocrine system are fundamentally different from similar disorders in adults. Therefore, doctors were forced to separate the school of pediatric endocrinology from the adult. In fact, this is a completely separate industry, children have completely different mechanisms for responding to certain hormones and completely different indicators of analysis.
At an appointment with an endocrinologist
Among endocrinologists there are specializations. A doctor who specializes in thyroid disease is called a thyroidologist. There are also endocrinologists, gynecologists, endocrinologists, genetics and other areas. What does the endocrinologist treat , what specific symptoms can you make an appointment with him?
Patients with the following diseases are registered with the endocrinologist:
- diabetes mellitus of the first and second types;
- arthritis, osteoporosis;
- menstrual irregularities in women;
- infertility and problems with conception;
- premenstrual syndrome;
- neoplasms and cysts in place of the endocrine glands;
- andropause;
- metabolic disorders of a chronic nature;
- thyrotoxicosis and hyperthyroidism;
- malfunctions in the production of the main hormones of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland - are found out only after special tests;
- disorders of the adrenal gland (Cushing's disease, Addison's disease);
- somatropin deficiency, impaired growth in children and adolescents.
Now you know what diseases the endocrinologist treats.
Most of these ailments are chronic. Therefore, patients need lifelong therapy. It often happens that an endocrinologist leads his patients to the end of their lives or until the moment when they themselves want to change their doctor.
What treats an endocrinologist in women?
Representatives of the fair sex are faced with hormonal disorders much more often than men. And an endocrinologist is also referred more often. Here are the most common complaints women come with:
- Excess weight or obesity, which can not cope with their efforts. Girls are asked to prescribe tests for thyroid hormones, as they suspect a malfunction in her work. In most cases, this is only female speculation - but the doctor is nevertheless obliged to write out a direction for TSH, T3 and T4 - who knows, maybe the patient will really have problems with thyroid function.
- What treats an endocrinologist in pregnant women? All the same problems that women are not in position. Obesity, thyrotoxicosis, nodes and cysts in the thyroid gland. More often, pregnant women come for a routine examination. Once again, passing tests for hormones will not be superfluous. Now you know what the endocrinologist treats in pregnant women.
- Irritability, chronic fatigue and symptoms of depression. All these unpleasant symptoms may well be a manifestation of an imbalance in the endocrine system. After analysis, the doctor will be able to accurately understand whether a particular patient needs therapy. If everything is normal, you will have to consult doctors of a different profile.
- Inability to conceive a child. In this case, the patient is not only an endocrinologist, but also a gynecologist. Together they must analyze the hormonal status of the patient. Both sex hormones and thyroid function are taken into account. If a deviation in TSH, T3 and T4 is detected, the patient is already led by the endocrinologist only.
- Alopecia (nesting and androgenetic alopecia) is a common cause of treatment for women. Analyzes of thyroid hormones will help to understand whether hair loss is malignant or reversible.
What does an endocrinologist treat in children?
The most serious pathology that the baby's parents can handle is stunting and myopathy (muscular dystrophy) of various origins. The cessation of growth in a child is most often associated with a lack of growth hormone (somatropin). Today, artificially synthesized growth hormone is successfully used in medicine. Its cost is high, but sick children receive the required amount of medicine for the quota for free. Such a recipe can just write an endocrinologist. He also deals with the management of children with disabilities: writes out certificates, extracts from the medical history, files the results of examinations and numerous analyzes.
Also, cases of children with type 1 diabetes are not uncommon. In this case, small patients are entitled to disability. An endocrinologist will also help with the registration and registration of the patient in this case.
Typical endocrinologist office
Like any doctor with a narrow specialization, the endocrinologist in the office has his own personal devices for examining patients.
- electronic scales with bioimpedance (show not only the weight, but also the percentage of fat, water, bone tissue);
- centimeter tape and stadiometer;
- a glucometer and test strips for it;
- neurological kit - hammer and forceps;
- test strips for diabetics.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Pay attention to a number of symptoms characteristic of this serious illness. If at least two of them occur, make an appointment with an endocrinologist:
- A constant feeling of thirst, even after drinking liters of liquid. Appears mainly with a decrease in insulin resistance.
- Obesity and rapid weight gain, despite the fact that the patient adheres to a proper diet quite strictly. Weight problems are one of the most common symptoms of diabetes.
- Unstable emotional state, irritability, tearfulness, chronic fatigue are also vivid indicators of problems with carbohydrate metabolism.
- A feeling of nausea after eating, as a result of which a refusal of normal servings, or even a partial or complete refusal of food.
The role of the thyroid gland in the endocrine system
Disturbances in the work of this organ are the cause of various kinds of endocrine pathologies.
This gland is endocrine. It stimulates the production of three major hormones. These are thyroxine, triiodothyronine and calcitonin. Without the normal production of these hormones, the healthy functioning of the body is impossible. Excessive (hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis) and weak (hypothyroidism) thyroid activity is also the cause of serious chronic diseases. These are deviations in the work of the cardiovascular system, obesity, problems with conception in women and with an erection in men, the impossibility of assimilating many nutrient components from food.
In addition, hormones that produce two other organs affect the activity of the gland: the pituitary gland - the hormone TSH and the hypothalamus - the hormone TRG.
At least once a year, you must undergo a routine examination of the thyroid gland. Now you know what the endocrinologist treats, what symptoms to consult with this doctor.
Cysts and neoplasms in the thyroid gland
The most common causes of occurrence:
- genetic predisposition in both women and men;
- cystic inflammatory process;
- severe iodine deficiency over time;
- chronic alcoholism and drug addiction;
- exposure to adverse environmental conditions;
- obstructed blood circulation of the left or right lobe of the thyroid gland;
- chronic stress and work related to life-threatening activities;
- thyroid injury;
- nodular toxic goiter.
Patients often feel squeezing, strangulation in the neck. With such symptoms, you can not hesitate - you need to contact the endocrinologist. What an endocrinologist treats in men is most often these are the thyroid nodal pathologies.
What tests does the endocrinologist refer to?
The doctor from the clinic must provide, at the request of the patient, referrals for the following laboratory tests:
- analysis of blood serum for bilirubin;
- TSH, or thyroid-stimulating hormone;
- lipid profile (LDL, VLDL, HDL, triglycerides, atherogenicity index);
- blood test for glycated hemoglobin;
- blood test for sugar (surrenders on an empty stomach);
- gamma-GT, or gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, GGT is an enzyme that is highest in the kidneys, liver, and pancreas.
A number of these tests will allow the diagnosis of diabetes and abnormalities in the hormonal profile of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands.
How is the scheduled inspection?
As a rule, nothing out of the ordinary happens. To begin with, the doctor will familiarize himself with the patient’s medical history, collect information about existing chronic diseases.
Then hears complaints. After that, he will conduct a visual examination of the thyroid gland and palpate - palpating for the presence of seals and cysts. It is also possible to measure blood pressure, examination of the lymph nodes in the neck and groin. After that, depending on the symptoms, he will write out the direction for tests (blood from the finger) and ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
In what cases should I make an appointment with an endocrinologist?
Do not be lazy - there are usually no queues for this doctor. You can take a voucher for registration in the terminal (electronic queue) or, in the old fashioned way, make an appointment in the window of the clinic's registry.
If you have noticed at least two symptoms characteristic of diabetes mellitus, or if you suspect that there are problems directly with the thyroid gland, then do not waste time. The faster the doctor examines you, the sooner treatment can begin.