Are you experiencing changes in your body, like unexpected weight gain, excessive fatigue, or mood swings? Do your energy levels rise and fall for no clear reason? More often than not, these changes aren’t just the “off days.” They could be signs your hormones are out of balance. If this is the case, you must consult an endocrinologist.
An endocrinologist is a healthcare specialist who studies your body’s hormones to manage and treat conditions affecting your endocrine system. This blog teaches you what an endocrine system is, what an endocrinologist does, when you need to see them, and how they can help you feel better.
What is The Endocrine System?
The endocrine system comprises various hormones and glands responsible for regulating different bodily functions. It produces and releases hormones into the bloodstream, which help manage mood, growth and development, the working of different organs, reproduction, and metabolism.
The various glands included in the endocrine system are:
- Pituitary gland
- Adrenal gland
- Thyroid gland
- Parathyroid gland
- Pancreas
- Testes and ovaries
What Does an Endocrinologist Do?
An endocrinologist diagnoses, treats, and manages different hormone and endocrine gland-related conditions, such as menopause, thyroid problems, and diabetes. A paediatric endocrinologist manages issues with hormones and endocrine glands in children. The most common conditions seen in children include bone development, puberty, growth, type 1 diabetes, and other essential bodily functions.
Which Conditions Can an Endocrinologist Treat?
An endocrinologist can help you with the treatment of various conditions, such as:
- Thyroid disorder: When the thyroid gland produces too little (hypothyroidism) or too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), the body develops a thyroid disorder. It can also cause complications like chronic fatigue, kidney stones, difficulty with concentration and memory, and osteoporosis, along with symptoms including weight gain, bone fractures, bone and joint pain, muscle aches, depression, and dry skin. An endocrinologist can help people of all ages manage and treat their thyroid disorders, usually with medication.
- Diabetes: A high blood sugar level results in diabetes. An endocrinologist can prescribe the right medication and recommend an ideal care program to help you manage your blood sugar levels. This can ensure that you don’t suffer from severe complications like stroke, renal failure, and heart disease.
- Hirsutism or excessive hair growth: Some women experience excessive hair growth on the face, chin, chest, and back. The typical cause is hormonal fluctuations, like low estrogen levels or excess male hormones. An endocrinologist can prescribe medications to treat the condition successfully.
- Menopause: The most common symptoms women experience during menopause are night sweats, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, irritability, and forgetfulness. An endocrinologist can help regulate these symptoms.
- Infertility: Hormonal abnormalities can make it difficult for some women to conceive and start a family. An endocrinologist can advise medications or hormone treatment to improve the chances.
When Should You See an Endocrinologist?
While many endocrine conditions can be diagnosed and managed by primary care physicians (PCPs), consulting an endocrinologist for specific endocrine problems is advisable. An endocrinologist has the necessary knowledge about various conditions and is more up-to-date on the recent technology and medications to help treat them.
So, you need to schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:
- Feeling cold
- Anxiety or depression
- Changes in menstrual periods
- New or increased hair growth
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Dry skin
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Bone or joint pain
- Breaking hair
- Insomnia
- Feeling shaky or jittery
- Decreased sex drive
What Should You Expect When Seeing an Endocrinologist?
To see an endocrinologist, you will need an outpatient visit to their office. During this visit, you can discuss your medical history, current symptoms, and ongoing treatment. The endocrinologist can ask you about any allergies you may have. They may also ask you to undergo a physical exam, depending on your condition.
The endocrinologist prescribes medicines after evaluating the necessary medical information and test results. They might also suggest a suitable management plan to ensure treatment of your condition. In certain cases, they may request further investigation through biochemical tests, high-quality imaging services, etc.
Conclusion
When your body undergoes sudden changes, the process of understanding what’s wrong is overwhelming. An endocrinologist can help you manage conditions related to your hormones, like thyroid disease or diabetes. These experts are knowledgeable in their field and have the latest updates on treatment strategies. Consulting an endocrinologist is a must if you suffer from a chronic condition because only these healthcare specialists can help you relieve yourself of the symptoms and the condition in the long run.
Walk into Batra Hospital for Specialised Care
Batra Hospital’s Department of Endocrinology is one of India’s most well-known centres for the diagnosis and treatment of hormonal and metabolic conditions. When you visit, a team of qualified endocrinologists and a highly skilled laboratory medicine staff will attend to you to help you manage and treat your endocrine disorders.