Endocrinology and Metabolism is a branch of medicine focused on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases related to the endocrine system and hormonal balance, as well as metabolic dysfunctions. The endocrine system is made up of glands such as the hypothalamus-pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, ovaries, testes, fat and muscle, and many others which produce hormones that regulate essential body functions, including metabolism, growth, reproduction, and bone health. Endocrinologists are physicians specialized in managing these complex hormone and metabolic disorders.
Diseases Covered Under Endocrinology
Conditions managed by endocrinologists are diverse and often affect multiple organ systems due to the widespread influence of hormones in the body. Key disease areas include:
- Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes)
- Hypertension- especially resistant or young hypertension
- Hypoglycemia (both adult and children)
- Thyroid Disorders:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer
- Adrenal Disorders:
- Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency)
- Cushing's syndrome (excess cortisol)
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Pheochromocytomas
- Pituitary Disorders:
- Acromegaly (excess growth hormone)
- Cushing’s Disease
- Hypopituitarism
- Hyperprolactinemia (Excess prolactin)
- Hypogonadism
- Pituitary tumors
- Parathyroid Disorders:
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Reproductive Hormone Disorders:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Infertility due to hormonal imbalances
- Precocious and Delayed puberty
- Hirsutism (Excess facial and body hair in females)
- Cholesterol and Lipid Disorders
- Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome and its treatment related issues
- Weight loss management
- Post bariatric surgery hypoglycemia
- Calcium and Vitamin D Metabolism Disorders
- Renal stones and nephrocalcinosis- evaluation and treatment of cause
- Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolic Disorders
-
Disorder
Key Features
Causes/Notes
Osteoporosis
Loss of bone mass and strength; increased fractures
Aging, menopause, hormonal
Osteomalacia/Rickets
Poor mineralization; soft/weak bones
Vitamin D, calcium, phosphate deficiencies (rickets: children)
Osteopenia
Low bone mineral density, less severe than osteoporosis
Often precursor to osteoporosis
Paget’s Disease
Abnormal bone remodeling; enlarged, misshapen bones
Mostly in older adults
Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica
Bone changes due to hyperparathyroidism
Overactive parathyroid glands
Renal Osteodystrophy
Bone disease due to chronic kidney disease
Imbalance in calcium/phosphate
Hypoparathyroidism
High bone density, low calcium
Parathyroid hormone deficiency
- Electrolyte disorders-
- Hypophosphatemia and associated disorders and Osteomalacia
- Hypo or hyper-kalemia (Low or high potassium)
- Hypo or hyper-natremia (low or high sodium)
- Renal tubular acidosis- causes fractures, renal stones and potassium abnormalities
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndromes (MEN1, MEN2, VHL, NF1, McCune Albright Syndrome, etc)
- Disorders of growth and maturation in children-
- Short stature and concerns of inadequate growth- GH deficiency, skeletal dysplasia, thyroid and cortisol- related issues
- Concerns about pubertal development
- Disorders of sexual differentiation- CAH, other genetic causes
- Hypogonadism
- Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP)
- Other endocrine causes
- Endocrine disorders of the elderly-
- Post-menopausal hormonal therapy
- Somatopause-related management
- Endocrine management of Transgenders
- All disorders related to low hormones- commonly seen post-surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer survivors
- Immunotherapy-induced hormonal imbalance
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