An endocrinologist diagnoses and treats hormone-related disorders such as diabetes and thyroid disease. Endocrine glands include the thyroid, parathyroids, pancreas, ovaries/testicles, hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands.
Patients are often referred to endocrinologists because endocrine disorders are complex, often affect multiple parts of the body and require a thorough understanding of how hormones work.
Here are the eleven most common reasons why you should see an endocrinologist:
- Diabetes
Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder in Greece. It includes type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and rare forms of diabetes. Often patients with diabetes experience thirst, fatigue and blurred vision. People with diabetes need to manage their blood sugar levels to control the complications of diabetes, which can lead to disability or death. Regular monitoring by an endocrinologist will ensure this goal.
- Thyroid diseases
The second most common endocrine disorder is that of the thyroid. The thyroid regulates metabolism. Increased or decreased production of thyroid hormones leads to a wide range of symptoms, such as weight gain or loss, hair loss, anxiety, etc. Thyroid disorders can also lead to infertility and also disturbance in the development of the brain of the fetus. Treatment is aimed at balancing the thyroid hormones, relieving the symptoms and ensuring normal development of the fetus.
- Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis refers to weak and brittle bones, which predispose to fractures. As sex hormones decline with age, the risk of some people developing osteoporosis increases. Genetic predisposition and taking certain medications also play a role in the development of osteoporosis. The main treatment is to strengthen bones and reduce bone loss through exercises and medicines that increase bone strength.
- Infertility
Infertility is a very common disorder worldwide with huge social, economic and demographic consequences. Endocrine diseases are a frequent cause of both female and male infertility. Hypo- and hyperthyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, pituitary adenomas, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity and some genetic conditions are some examples. Their treatment by an endocrinologist will restore fertility.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have higher levels of androgens (male hormones) and insulin, which can lead to enlarged ovaries, irregular periods, metabolic problems and cysts. Polycystic ovary syndrome causes infertility and metabolic disorders such as weight gain, acne and excessive hair growth. Proper medication along with a healthy diet and exercise will manage the problem.
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- Menstrual cycle disorders
Cycle disorders are a common problem in gynaecological and reproductive endocrinology, which alarms the woman even when it is a transient abnormality. In addition to pregnancy difficulties, irregular menses cause irritability, “bloating”, difficulty in losing weight and contributes to poor bone health. Hormonal imbalances can be responsible for both “heavy menstruation” and sparse or no cycles. The endocrinologist will investigate the disorder and provide appropriate treatment to restore regular menses.
- Endocrinopathies during pregnancy and postpartum
Diseases of the endocrine system are common causes of infertility. However, some of them can develop or be detected during pregnancy or postpartum. In this case they may threaten the child, the mother or the course of the pregnancy. For example, hypothyroidism can cause mental retardation in the child, low birth weight, gestational hypertension, premature delivery, bleeding and even death. During the postpartum period, it can cause inability to breastfeed, but also considerable difficulty for the mother to take care of the new-born. In such cases, the endocrinologist needs to intervene immediately.
- Menopause
Menopause is the cessation of menstruation due to egg depletion that produce the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. The lack of these hormones causes symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, dry vagina, painful sexual intercourse, insomnia, emotional disturbances. Some of these symptoms can cause significant disruption to daily life. In addition, the lack of oestrogen disrupts metabolism, bones and increases the risk of cardiovascular events. An endocrinologist can help a woman get through this period painlessly and protect her from the risks she faces.
- Cancer of the thyroid gland
Thyroid cancer was the 5th most common cancer in women in Greece in 2020. Common symptoms include swelling in the thyroid area, hoarseness of the voice, difficulty in breathing or swallowing. Most of the time, thyroid cancer is treatable, so early diagnosis and regular monitoring by an endocrinologist is important.
- Endocrine Tumours
Although thyroid cancer is common, cancers of the other endocrine glands are very rare. However, benign endocrine tumours are very common and are found in all endocrine organs, from the pituitary gland to the adrenal glands, but also outside the endocrine system such as in the gastrointestinal tract. These tumours can produce hormones, causing a variety of symptoms such as obesity that does not respond to restrictive diets, persistent diarrhoea, menstrual disorders, infertility, hypertension that cannot be controlled with multiple anti-hypertensive drugs, severe weakness and fatigue, depression, infections, and thrombosis. Immediate intervention by an endocrinologist is important.
- Obesity, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
Obesity is a major issue as it is a serious endocrine disorder that increases the risk of heart attack, diabetes mellitus, stroke, breast and bowel cancer. It is usually accompanied by an increase in cholesterol and triglycerides. The endocrinologist is the specialist in treating the disturbed metabolism, and sometimes an additional endocrine disorder is also present.