What does an endocrinologist treat and with what symptoms are they referred to him
An endocrinologist is a specialist whose competence includes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pathologies of endocrine glands. The endocrinologist's task is to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate therapy that will contribute to maintaining the physiological hormonal regulation of the body. With which symptoms it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist, how the examination is carried out, what tests the doctor prescribes for various pathologies - this will be discussed below.
The endocrinologist deals with the diagnosis and therapy of the following conditions:
- disorders of metabolism;
- acromegaly and gigantism;
- arterial hypertension caused by endocrine dysfunction;
- metabolic disorders;
- hormonal disorders during menopause;
- diabetes;
- growth delays in children;
- pathology of the thyroid gland;
- osteoporosis;
- deficiency of vitamin D, which leads to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults;
- malignant neoplasms of endocrine glands;
- infertility;
- high level of cholesterol in the blood and other lipid disorders.
Consultation of a pediatric endocrinologist
Annual examination of the child by an endocrinologist is necessary if the family history includes: diabetes, thyroid disease, obesity and other endocrine disorders. Consultation of an endocrinologist is also desirable during puberty, when an assessment of sexual development, growth, weight, and thyroid gland status is required.
Consultation of a pediatric endocrinologist is necessary if the child has:
- thirst;
- itching of the skin and genitals;
- frequent urination;
- the smell of acetone from the mouth;
- weight loss;
- quick fatigue;
- excess weight;
- growth retardation;
- deterioration of memory;
- rapid heartbeat;
- sweating;
- irritability;
- premature appearance of secondary sexual characteristics: up to 7 years in girls, up to 9 years in boys;
- delay in sexual development.
What does an endocrinologist check when examining a child? First of all, the correspondence of the physical data of the child's age (weight, height, sexual development). The doctor asks the patient (or his parents) about his well-being, measures blood pressure and pulse, examines the skin, palpates the thyroid gland. The endocrinologist gives referrals for tests, ultrasound. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor diagnoses and prescribes treatment. Parents can ask the endocrinologist questions about the child's health and the therapy that will be administered. The doctor will definitely explain the effect of medicines, give recommendations on the necessary regimen and diet. The advice of an endocrinologist in the case of diabetes diagnosed in a child will help parents independently control the level of glucose in the blood and calculate the dose of insulin for administration. Read more about diabetes in children on our website Dobrobut.com.
What tests does an endocrinologist prescribe for a woman during pregnancy
What does an endocrinologist treat? Diseases of endocrine glands. The normal course of pregnancy depends on the health of the endocrine system, so consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary even before a woman registers at a women's consultation.
What tests an endocrinologist prescribes to a woman during pregnancy depends on the patient's state of health. The minimum required for an endocrinologist's opinion is a blood sugar test. If necessary, the doctor prescribes additional examinations - for example, ultrasound of the thyroid gland. If an increase in the organ is detected, it will be necessary to take tests for thyroid hormones to find out the causes of the pathology. An imbalance of thyroid hormones can be one of the causes of high blood pressure and late toxicosis in pregnant women.
Women should make an appointment with a good gynecologist-endocrinologist if the following conditions occur:
- juvenile bleeding (dysfunctional uterine bleeding during puberty);
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome);
- dysfunctional uterine bleeding;
- infertility caused by endocrine disorders;
- hirsutism (excess male hair growth);
- menstrual cycle disorders (oligomenorrhea, polymenorrhea, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea);
- hyperandrogenism is an endocrine disorder in which the level of male sex hormones is elevated;
- premature puberty;
- delayed puberty;
- endometriosis;
- climacteric syndrome;
- pathologies of pregnancy.
All of these conditions are related to the endocrine system, so they are treated by a gynecologist-endocrinologist.
Related services:
Pediatrician consultation