Hormones are chemicals that control a wide variety of functions in your body. Everything from your metabolism to your mood to your sleep is affected by hormones. You may have a hormone health problem if you have too much or too little of a certain hormone, or if your body does not respond to hormones properly. Endocrinology focuses on diagnosing and treating these issues.
What Is Endocrinology?
Endocrinology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the endocrine system, which makes hormones. A doctor who specializes in endocrinology is called an endocrinologist.
Your Connecticut-based primary care physician may refer you to an endocrinologist — or you may decide to see one on your own — if you have a hormonal condition like diabetes or thyroid disease. Endocrinologists have the experience and expertise needed to diagnose and treat hormone health conditions.
The Endocrine System and Hormones
The endocrine system is a complex network of organs and glands. Each tissue is responsible for making certain hormones. In total, your endocrine system makes dozens of different hormones. Here is an overview of the key tissues of the endocrine system and the hormones they make:
- Adrenal glands: Located on top of your kidneys, these glands make hormones that regulate your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, salt and water balance and more.
- Pituitary gland: The pituitary gland produces hormones that affect growth, fat distribution and the production of sex hormones.
- Thyroid gland: This butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck makes hormones that control your metabolism, growth and development.
- Parathyroid glands: These pea-sized glands on the back of your thyroid make parathyroid hormone, which regulates your blood calcium levels.
- Pineal gland: The pineal gland makes melatonin, a hormone which regulates your sleep-wake cycle.
- Hypothalamus: Located deep within your brain, the hypothalamus manages your hormones to control your body temperature, appetite, mood, sleep and more.
- Thymus: The thymus makes hormones that keep your immune system working properly.
- Pancreas: The pancreas releases hormones like insulin that help your body maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
- Ovaries: The ovaries make estrogen, progesterone and other hormones that are important for fertility and pregnancy.
- Testes: Also known as testicles, the testes make testosterone, a hormone that is important for male fertility, bone mass and muscle mass.
Common Conditions Treated by Endocrinology
Endocrinologists treat a wide range of hormone-related conditions. Some of the more common reasons why people visit an endocrinologist include diabetes, thyroid diseases and osteoporosis.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects an estimated 312,000 adults in Connecticut. It happens when your blood sugar levels are too high, either because your body doesn’t make enough insulin or because it doesn’t properly use insulin. Endocrinologists treat all types of diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Thyroid Diseases
Thyroid diseases are conditions that affect the way your thyroid works. The main types of thyroid disease are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism means your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone, and hypothyroidism means it doesn’t make enough. There are many possible causes of thyroid disease, so it’s important to get an evaluation from an endocrinologist.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your bones, making them more likely to break. Hormonal conditions, such as diabetes or thyroid disease, can lead to osteoporosis. The condition can also develop as people get older and their levels of estrogen or testosterone drop. Endocrinologists play a crucial role in managing the hormone imbalances that weaken bones.
Other Endocrine Disorders
Endocrinologists treat many conditions beyond diabetes, thyroid disease and osteoporosis. Other endocrine disorders include adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease), where the adrenal glands don’t make enough hormone, and Cushing’s syndrome, where you have too much of the hormone cortisol. Endocrinologists also manage hormonal imbalances that interfere with fertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
How Endocrine Disorders Are Treated
Endocrinologists have many tools at their disposal for treating a hormone condition. Your treatment plan will vary depending on the specific condition you have, your overall health and your preferences about your treatment.
Lifestyle Changes
Living a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial for people with many types of health conditions, and hormone conditions are no exception. Certain healthy practices may help manage endocrine disorders. Your doctor may recommend changes like getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, losing weight, managing your stress levels or getting quality sleep.
Hormone Therapy
Hormones are powerful, and even a tiny amount can cause changes in your body. If your body is not making enough of a certain hormone naturally, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy. For example, if you have an underactive thyroid, you may need to take a man-made thyroid hormone to replace the natural hormone.
Medications
Various prescription medications are available to treat endocrine disorders. For example, if you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may recommend taking oral diabetes medication. If you have an overactive thyroid, your doctor could recommend a medication that stops your thyroid from making excess hormones.
Surgery
If more conservative treatment options don’t provide enough relief or improve your condition, your endocrinologist might recommend surgery. Endocrine surgeries may involve removing part or all of a diseased gland. If you need surgery, your endocrinologist will refer you to an experienced surgeon.
Looking for an Endocrinologist in Connecticut?
PACT Endocrinology is committed to providing high-quality, personalized care to people living with hormone-related conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disorders and osteoporosis. Our experienced endocrinologist, Dr. James Case, is currently accepting new patients. He works in our Hamden, CT and Milford, CT offices. Call your nearest location today to schedule an appointment.
