Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat They DoTrainingWhy You Need OneWhat to Expect at a Visit
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What They Do
Training
Why You Need One
What to Expect at a Visit
Anendocrinologistis aphysicianwho specializes in endocrinology, a branch of medicine devoted to the study of diseases and disorders of hormonal glands.
The specialty involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that cause a deficiency or excessive production ofhormones(chemical messengers liketestosteroneandadrenalinethat coordinate different functions in the body). Examples include diabetes, thyroid disease, infertility, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
An endocrinologist is first trained ininternal medicine,pediatrics, orgynecologybefore specializing in endocrinology. In the United States, the typical training involves four years of college, four years of medical school, three years of residency, and two years of fellowship.
This article explains what an endocrinologist does, the types of conditions an endocrinologist treats, and what it takes to get board certification and a license to practice. It also looks at why you may need an endocrinologist and what to expect at your first appointment.
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What Does an Endocrinologist Do?
Endocrinologists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention ofendocrine disorders. These involve infections, injuries,autoimmune diseases,genetic disorders,congenital defects,metabolic disorders, andneoplasms(benign or cancerous growth) that directly and indirectly affect the hormonal glands.
The practice also relies heavily onmedical imagingand the use ofcontrast and radioactive dyesto evaluate the size and function of hormonal glands and detect any abnormalities.Biopsies(the extraction of tissue samples) and surgery are also facets of the practice.
Depending on the condition, an endocrinologist may work alone or with other medical professionals, including gynecologists, neurologists, oncologists, osteopathic surgeons, pediatricians, and primary care physicians.
What Makes Up the Endocrine System?
There are 10 major endocrine glands in the body that work in tandem to regulate the production and secretion of hormones in your body:
An endocrine disorder may involve one of these organs or a group of organs that work together as a looped system. An example includes thehypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axisin which the three organs respond in feedback to each other to stimulate the secretion of stress hormones likecortisol.
What Conditions Do Endocrinologists Treat?
Endocrinology encompasses a wide range of hormonal disorders affecting people of all ages and sexes, including:
Subspecialties
Because endocrinology is such a vast and diverse field, some endocrinologists will choose to limit their practice to specific conditions, populations, or procedures, such as:
Training and Certification
The process of becoming an endocrinologist involves a roughly 13-year journey, starting when you obtain a four-year bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine or a related field.
The journey thereafter involves:
To renew a medical license, an endocrinologist must participate in continuing medical education (CME) programs and maintain a certain number of study hours. Depending on the state and medical subspecialty, licenses are renewed every seven to 10 years.
How Much Do Endocrinologists Make?
Why Would I Be Referred to an Endocrinologist?
If you have been referred to an endocrinologist, it is usually because there are indications of a hormonal disorder (either through lab results or symptoms) or a diagnosed condition that is beyond the scope of practice of the referring physician. Endocrinologists are rarely your first point of contact for a medical condition and almost never work asprimary care physicians.
When you first meet with an endocrinologist, you can ask whatever questions you need to better understand your condition or what may be involved in the diagnosis or treatment.
Example include:
What to Expect at the Endocrinologist
The endocrinologist appointment usually starts with a review of your symptoms, medical history, family history, and any medications you are taking. There may also be a physical exam, particularly if there are problems with your thyroid gland, pancreas, or testicles.
Based on the initial findings, the endocrinologist will order various tests and procedures to help diagnose and/or characterize the cause of your condition. The diagnosis will direct the treatment plan.
Appointment TipsTo get the most out of your appointment, arrive early and bring along any lab tests or imaging studies relevant to your condition. You should also ask the referring doctor to forward any pertinent files in advance of your appointment.
Appointment Tips
To get the most out of your appointment, arrive early and bring along any lab tests or imaging studies relevant to your condition. You should also ask the referring doctor to forward any pertinent files in advance of your appointment.
Diagnosis
Blood and urine tests are standardly used to measure hormone levels in blood or urine samples. Other tests involve stimulating or inhibiting agents that assess how an endocrine gland reacts. In addition to blood tests, the endocrinologist may order imaging studies and other procedures to get an up-close look at a gland.
Treatments
The treatments used in endocrinology are as far-ranging as the diseases involved. Many disorders can be treated with hormone replacement therapies (HRT) and other medications that normalize hormonal imbalances. Surgery and other more invasive procedures may also be needed.
Medications commonly used in endocrinology include:
Surgery and other procedures sometimes needed to treat an endocrine disorder include:
Summary
An endocrinologist is a medical specialist trained in the diagnosis and treatment of hormonal diseases and disorders. You would be referred to an endocrinologist if you have signs or indications of a hormonal problem such as diabetes. infertility, thyroid disease, or PCOS.
It takes roughly 13 years from college through board certification to become an endocrinologist in the United States. Many endocrinologists specialize in different fields of endocrinology, including diabetes, infertility, and cancer.
When an Endocrinologist Is Needed for Thyroid Disease
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endocrine diseases.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What is an endocrinologist?Bellavance MA, Rivest S.The HPA - immune axis and the immunomodulatory actions of glucocorticoids in the brain.Front Immunol.2014;5:136. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2014.00136Medscape.Physician compensation report 2022.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endocrine diseases.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What is an endocrinologist?Bellavance MA, Rivest S.The HPA - immune axis and the immunomodulatory actions of glucocorticoids in the brain.Front Immunol.2014;5:136. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2014.00136Medscape.Physician compensation report 2022.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endocrine diseases.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What is an endocrinologist?Bellavance MA, Rivest S.The HPA - immune axis and the immunomodulatory actions of glucocorticoids in the brain.Front Immunol.2014;5:136. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2014.00136Medscape.Physician compensation report 2022.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endocrine diseases.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What is an endocrinologist?
Bellavance MA, Rivest S.The HPA - immune axis and the immunomodulatory actions of glucocorticoids in the brain.Front Immunol.2014;5:136. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2014.00136
Medscape.Physician compensation report 2022.
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