Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It InvolvesConditions TreatedEndocrine DisordersTransgender MedicineCertificationHistory
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Involves
Conditions Treated
Endocrine Disorders
Transgender Medicine
Certification
History
Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that deals with theendocrine system. This is the system that controls the hormones in your body, and the glands that produce them. Many different conditions involve the endocrine system, includingdiabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, infertility, cholesterol problems, high blood pressure, and obesity, among others.
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What Endocrinology Involves
These organs of the endocrine system are:
At any given time, there are up to 40 hormones at work in the human body. They travel through the bloodstream to target destinations on various organs and tissues in the body.
Hormones are messengers that give instructions to different parts of the body about what to do and when to do it.
There are a variety of bodily processes that involve hormones, including:
Conditions Treated Within Endocrinology
When it comes to hormones in the body, it’s all a matter of balance. And if even one of the many hormones in your body is too high or too low, it can create a hormonal imbalance that affects several bodily functions.
Fortunately, the body is pretty good at regulating its hormones, and in many cases, fixes the imbalances on its own. But it’s not always that straightforward.
If your primary care physician notices a hormonal imbalance in your blood work, they’ll likely refer you to an endocrinologist, who can help diagnose the problem and come up with a treatment plan.
The most common conditions and diseases within endocrinology fall into one of seven categories:
Here are a few examples of specific conditions within each category.
Diabetes
Thyroid Disease
Adrenal Disease
Parathyroid Dysfunction
Primary and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Pituitary Dysfunction
Reproductive Issues
Additionally, endocrine conditions can lead to obesity. And being overweight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetesand osteoporosis.
Treating Endocrine Disorders
Although there is a wide range of treatments used in managingendocrine disorders, the approaches typically fall under three categories:
Transgender Medicine and Endocrinology
When a transgender person makes the decision to startgender-affirming hormone therapy, they work with at least one endocrinologist.
If you are having gender-affirming hormone therapy, your healthcare providers will discuss the potential side effects of treatment.
Training and Certification in Endocrinology
It is also possible for an endocrinologist to focus on a subspecialty, like pediatric endocrinology or reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
Some endocrinologists also have a Ph.D. or another advanced degree in one of the hard sciences. In order to diagnose patients, endocrinologists frequently use laboratory testing, and many who chose this specialization have a background in biochemistry and research.
History of Endocrinology
Though it’s unclear exactly when elements of endocrinology were first understood, one of the first recognized references to the discipline can be found in Hippocrates' theory of the four humors (black bile, phlegm, yellow bile, and blood), which dates back to around 400 B.C.E.
Shortly after, Aristotle recorded specific endocrinological observations, including changes in behavior and appearance in castrated roosters. By the Middle Ages, it was thought that human organs came with special powers, so in some instances, the winners of a battle ate their enemies' hearts, brains, or gonads to gain strength in related areas.
The development of endocrinology as we know it today — much like most of modern medicine — has taken place over the last two centuries, through vast amounts of research.
A Word From Verywell
In most cases, you won’t need to see an endocrinologist unless your primary care doctor recommends it. If you need an endocrinology consultation, you will see an endocrinologist who has advanced training in managing the glands and organs that produce and regulate all the hormones we need for everyday function.
12 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.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What is endocrinology?American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What you need to know about diabetes.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about the thyroid.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about the adrenal glands.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.Other common diseases and conditions.Vannuccini S, Clifton VL, Fraser IS, et al.Infertility and reproductive disorders: impact of hormonal and inflammatory mechanisms on pregnancy outcome.Human Reproduction Update. 2016;22(1):104-115. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmv044.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about obesity.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about osteoporosis.Cedars-Sinai.Endocrine disease diagnosis and treatment.T’Sjoen G, Arcelus J, Gooren L, Klink DT, Tangpricha V.Endocrinology of transgender medicine.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(1):97-117. doi: 10.1210/er.2018-00011.American Medical Association.Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism specialty description.Dittfeld A, Gwizdek K, Brończyk-PuzońA. History of endocrinology in the world and in Poland.Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2017;23(3):146-151. doi: 10.18544/PEDM-23.03.0086.
12 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.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What is endocrinology?American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What you need to know about diabetes.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about the thyroid.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about the adrenal glands.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.Other common diseases and conditions.Vannuccini S, Clifton VL, Fraser IS, et al.Infertility and reproductive disorders: impact of hormonal and inflammatory mechanisms on pregnancy outcome.Human Reproduction Update. 2016;22(1):104-115. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmv044.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about obesity.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about osteoporosis.Cedars-Sinai.Endocrine disease diagnosis and treatment.T’Sjoen G, Arcelus J, Gooren L, Klink DT, Tangpricha V.Endocrinology of transgender medicine.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(1):97-117. doi: 10.1210/er.2018-00011.American Medical Association.Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism specialty description.Dittfeld A, Gwizdek K, Brończyk-PuzońA. History of endocrinology in the world and in Poland.Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2017;23(3):146-151. doi: 10.18544/PEDM-23.03.0086.
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.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What is endocrinology?American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What you need to know about diabetes.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about the thyroid.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about the adrenal glands.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.Other common diseases and conditions.Vannuccini S, Clifton VL, Fraser IS, et al.Infertility and reproductive disorders: impact of hormonal and inflammatory mechanisms on pregnancy outcome.Human Reproduction Update. 2016;22(1):104-115. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmv044.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about obesity.American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about osteoporosis.Cedars-Sinai.Endocrine disease diagnosis and treatment.T’Sjoen G, Arcelus J, Gooren L, Klink DT, Tangpricha V.Endocrinology of transgender medicine.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(1):97-117. doi: 10.1210/er.2018-00011.American Medical Association.Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism specialty description.Dittfeld A, Gwizdek K, Brończyk-PuzońA. History of endocrinology in the world and in Poland.Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2017;23(3):146-151. doi: 10.18544/PEDM-23.03.0086.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What is endocrinology?
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.What you need to know about diabetes.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about the thyroid.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about the adrenal glands.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.Other common diseases and conditions.
Vannuccini S, Clifton VL, Fraser IS, et al.Infertility and reproductive disorders: impact of hormonal and inflammatory mechanisms on pregnancy outcome.Human Reproduction Update. 2016;22(1):104-115. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmv044.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about obesity.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.All about osteoporosis.
Cedars-Sinai.Endocrine disease diagnosis and treatment.
T’Sjoen G, Arcelus J, Gooren L, Klink DT, Tangpricha V.Endocrinology of transgender medicine.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(1):97-117. doi: 10.1210/er.2018-00011.
American Medical Association.Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism specialty description.
Dittfeld A, Gwizdek K, Brończyk-PuzońA. History of endocrinology in the world and in Poland.Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2017;23(3):146-151. doi: 10.18544/PEDM-23.03.0086.
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