In medicine when a doctor specialises in diagnosing and treating conditions that are caused by, or that affect your hormones, they are called an endocrinologist. If your GP wants to refer you to see an endocrinologist, it will be a doctor who works in a hospital and specialises in treating hormone conditions.
To become a consultant endocrinologist, a doctor needs to study for a minimum of nine years after they have finished medical school and pass assessments in the subject. In the UK, all endocrinologists with a medical degree will be registered with the General Medical Council.
Some medical doctors who specialise in endocrinology also carry out research to try to find new treatments for hormone-related conditions.
There are also some endocrinologists who have become specialists in hormones through working in science and studying the scientific aspects of how hormones work. We might have another woman who's the exact same age who is not sleeping well, and has terrible hot flashes, and her mood's off, and we check her hormones, and they're exactly the same as the woman who has no symptoms. For instance, if a woman stops getting her period prior to menopause, or has menstrual irregularity, we would check hormone levels to diagnose what is causing the problem, then treat her.
We commonly check thyroid stimulating hormone TSH , a hormone that regulates metabolism, for women who are having hot flashes, symptoms of having too much thyroid, or not enough thyroid, fatigue, sleep issues or unexplained weight change.
Abnormal thyroid levels can be associated with these symptoms, as well as abnormal menstrual changes. PM: Are women who have reached perimenopause or menopause generally more concerned with hormone levels than those of reproductive age, or does it run the gamut? Steiner: That's a tough question, because it's pretty subjective. My practice involves mostly women who are around the age of menopause, but I would just say over the years looking back, I've had women of all ages ask to have their hormones checked when they feel that something is not right or that there are changes.
Just like balancing your diet and your schedule, your hormones also need to find a balance in order for you to feel your best. Women who are approaching perimenopause or menopause are commonly faced with hormone imbalance. Fortunately, your gynecologist can help, but it may be up to you to recognize the symptoms of hormone imbalance so that you can make the appointment. Remember that there are many types of hormones in the body, ranging from estrogen, testosterone and progesterone that come from the ovaries as well as thyroid hormones, cortisol, prolactin and more.
We can conduct the necessary evaluations and testing to determine which hormones need adjustment. It also produces calcitonin, which helps strengthen bones and regulates the metabolism of calcium.
Explore the model using your mouse pad or touchscreen to understand more about the endocrine system. Some infants are born with hormonal problems that can lead to a range of health issues, such as low growth. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as pesticides, lead, and phthalates, which are used in plastic food containers, can sometimes lead to hormonal problems. Here are some examples of what can happen if a gland secretes too much or too little of its hormones.
If your physician suspects that the underlying cause of a medical condition is related to hormone production, they may refer you to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in endocrinology. These doctors are trained to diagnose and manage diseases that affect the glands and the hormones. An endocrinologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of conditions related to hormone imbalances and problems.
During the first visit, the doctor will ask the patient a series of questions to help reach a diagnosis. The endocrinologist might ask about symptoms that do not seem to be related, or that seem unnecessary. This is because hormone levels affect so many different systems in the body that just small changes in one gland can impact parts of the body far from the site of the glands themselves. Following diagnosis, the endocrinologist will suggest a treatment plan.
This will depend on which underlying condition is causing the symptoms. Hormones affect functions throughout the body. An imbalance can cause a wide range of health issues. A family doctor may refer a patient to an endocrinologist if they suspect that a hormone problem is the underlying cause of a health problem.
If you need to find an endocrinologist, the website of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has a list of qualified practitioners. Read the article in Spanish.
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