Endocrinology is a branch of modern medicine that deals with the human endocrine system. Your body's hormones are produced by the endocrine glands and controlled by the endocrine system. Hormones influence physiological activities like growth, development, puberty, alertness levels, sugar regulation, appetite, and bone growth. Problems with hormones and their average working conditions contribute to diseases. In medical terms, these diseases are called 'endocrinosis.' In layman's words, one may refer to them as 'hormone imbalances.'
An endocrinologist is a specialist in the field of endocrinology. They are healthcare providers specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone-related diseases. An endocrinologist's diagnosis often involves evaluating various symptoms and requires clinical chemistry and biochemistry knowledge. These specialists work with the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, testes, and pancreas, and their expertise caters to both male and female bodies.
Endocrinologists also extend treatments for children in cases like type 1 and type 2 diabetes, where a child's body either no longer produces insulin or fails to produce enough insulin, leading to an increase in blood sugar (glucose). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics files the profession of endocrinologists under physicians and surgeons.
What are the education, training, and subspecialties of endocrinologists?
Endocrinologists undergo around 14 years of intensive education and training before practicing medicine. They start by earning a bachelor's degree and a four-year medical degree. Endocrinology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Hence, after graduating from medical school, they complete a residency in internal medicine, pediatrics, or gynecology.
Further, they opt for a two-to-three-year fellowship training in endocrinology. Some may receive general training, while others may choose to focus on specific areas of endocrinology, such as:
- Diabetes and metabolism: These doctors focus on metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and lipid disorders.
- Endocrine oncology: These specialists focus on cancers affecting the endocrine system, such as thyroid, adrenal, pancreatic, and parathyroid cancer.
- Endocrinology nuclear medicine: These specialists use small amounts of radioactive material for diagnosing and treating endocrine disorders.
- Gender affirmation: These experts focus on altering one's physical characteristics to align them with gender identity.
- Neuroendocrinology: These doctors focus on relationships between the nervous and endocrine systems.
- Pediatric endocrinology: They focus on endocrine disorders in children.
- Reproductive endocrinology: These specialists focus on sexual development, sexual function, and reproduction.
- Thyroid disease: These experts focus on hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, and goiter.
Endocrinologists also acquire board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine and their state medical license to start practicing. These doctors work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and private practice.
Causes of endocrine disorders
There are two primary causes of endocrine disorders. The first is due to too much or too little production of an endocrine hormone, often known as hormonal imbalances. The second cause is when lesions, like nodules or tumors, develop in the endocrine system, which may or may not affect hormone levels.
Endocrine hormonal imbalances may result from:
- Problems with the body's endocrine feedback system
- Genetic disorders like Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias (MEN) or congenital hypothyroidism
- Infection
- Injury to an endocrine gland
- Tumor of an endocrine gland
Treatment and medical care advised by an endocrinologist may help control the balance of hormones in the bloodstream.
When should you see an endocrinologist?
Identifying the signs of complex endocrine diseases in the early stages is difficult. Still, it is a dangerous gamble to ignore newly-emerged patterns in your body. We recommend seeing an endocrinologist near you if you notice any of the following common signs and symptoms of endocrine disorders:
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Unintended weight fluctuations
- Sudden changes in blood glucose levels
- Sudden changes in cholesterol levels
Diabetes is the most common endocrine system condition in the United States. Although your primary healthcare provider can help with a primary diagnosis of endocrine diseases and conditions, they may eventually refer you to an endocrinologist for a thorough diagnosis and treatment. You should also consider seeing an endocrinologist if your primary care doctor advises after diagnosing you with diabetes or any of the following common endocrine disorders:
- Hyperparathyroidism: It is a condition where your parathyroid glands create high amounts of parathyroid hormone.
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): This is an illness where the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroxine hormone.
- Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism: This is a condition where your thyroid gland produces excess or too little of certain crucial hormones.
- Thyroid cancer: It leads to abnormal growth of cells in the thyroid.
- Diabetes: This disease affects your body's process of using blood sugar (also known as glucose).
- Hypoglycemia: It is a condition where your glucose level is lower than average.
- Prediabetes: It is a situation where your blood sugar level is higher than average.
- Chronic kidney disease: This is a state with gradual loss of kidney function.
- Diabetic nephropathy: It is an illness that adversely impacts the kidneys' ability to remove waste and extra fluid from your body.
- End-stage renal disease: This is an illness that manifests when chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced state.
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: It is a cluster of genetic conditions affecting the adrenal glands.
- Pituitary tumor: This condition involves the unusual growth of cells in your pituitary gland.
- Erectile dysfunction: It is the ability to obtain and maintain an erection that is appropriately firm for sexual intercourse.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): It is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age.
Common tests and procedures in endocrinology
Blood and urine tests are standard tools for measuring hormone levels and assessing endocrine gland function. In addition, endocrinologists may use tests involving stimulating or inhibiting agents to observe how glands respond to certain hormones. Imaging studies and other procedures may also be ordered to examine specific glands more closely.
Here are some standard tests an endocrinologist might request:
- 24-hour urine collection: Collecting all urine over 24 hours provides detailed hormone level insights, especially for cortisol.
- ACTH stimulation test: It involves injecting adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to help diagnose adrenal disorders.
- Computed tomography (CT): It uses computer-assisted X-rays to create three-dimensional images of internal organs.
- CRH stimulation test: It involves injecting corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) to evaluate adrenal function.
- Dexamethasone suppression test: It uses synthetic cortisol to screen for Cushing's disease.
- Dotatate scan: It employs radioactive tracers to detect neuroendocrine tumors, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN).
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy: In this test, a needle extracts cells from the thyroid or tumor for microscopic analysis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): It uses magnetic and radio waves to create sophisticated pictures of soft tissues.
- Oral glucose tolerance test: It checks for diabetes by testing blood glucose levels after drinking a glucose solution.
- Positron emission tomography (PET): It uses radioactive tracers to identify metabolic abnormalities, often in cancer.
- Radioactive iodine scan (RAI): It detects normal and cancerous thyroid cells.
- Ultrasound: It is a non-invasive procedure that utilizes sound waves to identify masses or fluid in soft tissues.
- Venous sampling: It is a specialized blood test extracting samples from specific areas to evaluate hormone levels.
These tests provide crucial insights into hormonal health and gland function.
What can one expect from their first visit to an endocrinologist for diabetes?
When scheduling appointments with your endocrinologist, you must thoroughly discuss your overall well-being and diabetes management. During these appointments, your endocrinologist will inquire about your general health and lifestyle changes and address any challenges you may face.
Bring your blood glucose journal or logs to provide an overview of your diabetes management. Share any notable changes or developments since your last visit, including:
1. Symptoms: Inform your doctor about any new symptoms or changes in existing ones.
2. Dietary habits: Discuss any alterations in your eating habits, as this can significantly impact blood sugar levels.
3. Physical activity: Mention any adjustments in your exercise routine, whether increasing or decreasing physical activity.
4. Health status: If you have been unwell recently, share details about the illness and its impact on your diabetes management.
5. Medications and supplements: Report any new medications, vitamins, or supplements you have started taking since your last appointment.
During the visit, your endocrinologist will likely conduct various assessments, including checking your blood pressure, examining your feet, and testing your blood glucose, urine, and cholesterol levels.
If you are insulin-dependent, scheduling appointments every 3 or 4 months is generally advisable. However, if you are not using insulin, visits can be spaced out more often every 4 to 6 months. The frequency of appointments may need to increase if your diabetes is not well-controlled, complications arise, or you experience new or worsening symptoms.
Regular check-ups with your diabetes doctor are crucial for maintaining optimal health, addressing concerns promptly, and adjusting your diabetes management plan as needed.
Top endocrinologists near you in Phoenix, AZ
You are the most crucial person in your treatment team. Being negligent while choosing healthcare providers for your condition could be dangerous. You must select one whose expertise and experience you trust. Zocdoc helps you treat your disease by connecting you with an endocrinologist in your area, Phoenix, Arizona.
Our comprehensive endocrinology directory provides access to your location's top-rated and experienced endocrinologists. All endocrinologists listed on Zocdoc are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Choose from thousands of doctors based on education, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, certifications, and patient ratings and reviews. All doctor profiles on Zocdoc are verified and updated to assist you in making an informed decision from the comfort of your home. You can also find out the doctor's gender, the languages they speak, and whether they treat children.
All you need to do is include 'endocrinologists' in your search query and choose from the top endocrinologists in your area. You can also select multiple doctors for a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment. Once you choose the best endocrinologists for your unique case, Zocdoc will instantly assist you in booking an appointment for your first session.
Depending on the doctor's availability, you can book appointments before, during, and after office hours. Given their availability, you can also book appointments during weekends and holidays.
You can also utilize Zocdoc's insurance card capture feature to submit your medical insurance information before making an appointment. When scheduling an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll be prompted to share your insurance information or confirm that you'll pay out-of-pocket. Some providers require insurance details to book appointments, but if you prefer not to share or use insurance, you can search for another provider on Zocdoc who accepts self-pay patients. You can visit Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related questions.
Booking appointments with endocrinologists near you through Zocdoc is easy, free, and secure!
Statistics on diabetes and thyroid cancer in Arizona
Diabetes has become a severe concern for the state of Arizona. A study by the University of Arizona on the impact of diabetes stated that over 600,000 adults in Arizona had been diagnosed with diabetes in 2019. The number accounted for roughly 10.1% of the total adult population of Arizona. The statistics did not include undiagnosed people or those with prediabetes, indicating a possible higher prevalence of diabetes in the state.
The study also found that one in ten adults in Arizona had type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounted for about 90-95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in Arizona. Almost 90% of those newly diagnosed diabetics did not know they had the disease. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among Arizona adults was highest in Apache County at about 15.3%. New statistics show one in three cases of adults with prediabetes in Arizona state.
As per the American Cancer Society, between 2015 and 2019, there were around 12.7 annual cases of thyroid cancer per 100,000 people in Arizona. During the same years, thyroid cancer was more prevalent among women (about 19 females per 100,000) than men (about 6.3 males per 100,000). The death rate of thyroid cancer between 2016 and 2020 in the state stood at about 0.5 deaths per 100,000 people annually. The organization estimates around 920 new thyroid cancer cases and 70 deaths in 2023.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Society for Endocrinology
Doctorly.org
Healio
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Cleveland Clinic
American Cancer Society
Verywellhealth
