What Does an Endocrinologist Do?

Overview

An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases that affect your endocrine system. These are the glands and organs that make hormones. Your hormones are chemicals that tell all of your body's systems how to function. Diseases that interfere with your hormones can have serious effects.

What do they treat?

Why would you need to see an endocrinologist? They help manage diabetes. They care for thyroid problems. They treat osteoporosis. They treat disorders that involve sex hormones. And they treat a wide range of other issues.

Diagnosing you

To find out what's wrong, your endocrinologist looks at a range of factors. They give you a physical exam. They study your health history. They may order different types of tests. They use all of this info to develop a care plan that's right for you.

Working with you

A big part of an endocrinologist's job is sharing info with you. So they teach you about your condition. They make sure you know about all of your care options. They explain how these options affect you. They help you during treatment, and give you the support you need as you recover. And they create a plan to help you live a healthy life.

Conclusion

Your endocrinologist is a key part of your care team. For more info about your endocrine system, talk to your doctor.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.