What They Do
An endocrinologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and managing conditions related to the body's hormone-producing glands, collectively known as the endocrine system. This includes the thyroid, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, and pancreas, among others.
What They Treat
Endocrinologists manage a wide range of hormone-related conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, and conditions affecting the adrenal and pituitary glands. They also manage conditions related to bone metabolism, such as osteoporosis, and certain hormone-related growth and reproductive conditions.
Training Path
Becoming an endocrinologist requires completing a medical degree, followed by residency training in internal medicine, and then additional specialized fellowship training specifically in endocrinology, covering the complex hormonal systems that regulate many different processes throughout the body.
When to See One
People are commonly referred to an endocrinologist for conditions such as diabetes that requires more specialized management, thyroid abnormalities identified through blood tests or physical examination, or symptoms suggesting a broader hormonal imbalance, such as unexplained weight changes, fatigue, or changes in growth patterns.
Background
Endocrinology developed as a distinct medical specialty in the early 20th century, following major discoveries about specific hormones and the glands that produce them, including the identification of insulin in the 1920s, a breakthrough that transformed the treatment of diabetes. Since then, the field has continued to expand as researchers have identified and better understood the wide range of hormones the body produces and the many different bodily processes they influence.