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. High estrogen can cause weight gain, heavy periods, and fatigue in females. In males, it can cause infertility and breast tissue growth.
Learn more…. Learn more about testosterone levels here. Unwanted hair growth on the body or face has a range of causes linked to hormones. Learn more about excessive or unwanted hair in women here. What are endocrine disorders? Read on to learn more about these conditions, such as the possible causes and how to diagnose and treat them. What is endocrinology? Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. What is the endocrine system?
Diseases What is an endocrinologist? Visiting an endocrinologist Takeaway Endocrinology is the field of hormone-related diseases. It is sometimes used to evaluate if a goiter extends into the chest, or to look for a parathyroid gland that is not in its usual location. In the abdomen, it is very useful for evaluating pancreas, liver, and adrenal masses. We recommend that a non-contrast CT scan be done if there is any suspicion of thyroid cancer in most cases.
This is a new test that is useful for imaging of abnormal parathyroid glands, especially in cases of failed parathyroid surgery. It utilizes the special dye uptake and washout of the parathyroid gland to distinguish it from other similar structures in the neck such as lymph nodes. This test uses a magnetic field to generate cross sectional images of the body.
It is particularly good at distinguishing different types of soft tissue masses. It can also be used to identify parathyroid glands, and to better characterize adrenal and liver masses. PET scanning can image the increased metabolism of glucose found in most cancers. It is useful in finding otherwise undetected areas of cancer growth. It is also used to image thyroid cancers that do not take up radioactive iodine.
Thyroid cells are designed to take up iodine, and therefore a whole body scan following the administration of radioactively labelled iodine is a very sensitive test for the detection of normal and most cancerous thyroid cells both in the neck and throughout the rest of the body.
It also gives information on the function of those thyroid cells. I or I are the isotopes used in this test. Octreotide is a synthetic form of somatostatin, a hormone that binds to the somatostatin receptors on many neuroendocrine tumors. It is used to image carcinoid tumors and pancreatic NETs, and to evaluate if the tumors will bind to octreotide for potential treatment with the drug. This radioactive iodine compound is taken up by cells that synthesize catacholamines.
Both your pituitary glands and adrenal glands help produce cortisol. Mercy doctors use a cortisol blood test to measure the amount of cortisol in your blood and help diagnose potential problems with these glands. We use thyroid gland tests to check for thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Prolactin is a hormone made by your pituitary gland that helps regulate reproductive functions in both women and men.
Prolactin disorders can lead to infertility, erectile dysfunction and other issues. If you have symptoms of a prolactin disorder, your doctor may order a prolactin blood test to check your hormone levels. At Mercy, we offer comprehensive services to diagnose and treat a full range of conditions, including:.
Endocrine Disorder Tests Test. Find a Provider Find a Provider. What are Endocrine Disorder Tests? Types of Endocrine Tests We know it can be alarming to learn that you have an endocrine disorder, but most can be treated with medications, surgery or other approaches. Cortisol Blood Test The hormone cortisol helps your body handle physical stress from illness, injury or another cause.
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