Dedicated Endocrinology Experts

No—many result from lifestyle, environment, or autoimmune processes.

Healthy habits help but many conditions need medication.

With targeted hormone blood tests and imaging scans.

Some disorders (e.g., type 1 diabetes, hypothyroidism) require ongoing therapy; others may be curable.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition in which the body cannot properly regulate blood glucose. Insulin, the hormone that allows cells to use glucose for energy, is absent, insufficient, or ineffective.

• Type 1 diabetes: autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells; lifelong insulin therapy is required.

• Type 2 diabetes: insulin resistance plus relative insulin deficiency; managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications, and sometimes insulin.

• Gestational diabetes: high blood sugar first recognized during pregnancy; increases risk of later type 2 diabetes.

• Other rare types: genetic (monogenic) diabetes, pancreatic-related (“type 3c”), or medication-induced diabetes.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), controlling the body’s metabolism.

• Hypothyroidism (underactive): fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold; treated with thyroid hormone replacement.

• Hyperthyroidism (overactive): weight loss, fast heartbeat, anxiety; treated with medication, radio-

iodine, or surgery.

• Nodules and goiter: lumps or enlarged gland; most nodules are benign but require evaluation.

• Thyroid cancer: generally good prognosis when detected early and managed by surgery and hormone therapy.

Obesity is excess body fat, usually defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Hormones influence appetite, metabolism, and fat storage. Endocrinologists assess hormonal contributors (thyroid, cortisol, insulin, sex hormones) and design comprehensive weight-management plans: lifestyle counselling, medications such as GLP-1 agonists, and referral for bariatric surgery when appropriate.

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age, characterized by irregular periods, excess androgens (acne, excess hair), and polycystic-appearing ovaries.

An endocrinologist diagnoses PCOS, rules out other causes, and tailors treatment: cycle regulation with hormonal contraceptives, anti-androgen therapy for acne/hair, insulin-sensitizing drugs, and fertility treatments if pregnancy is desired.

Lifestyle measures (weight management, exercise) are foundational to therapy.

The pituitary, or “master gland,” sits at the base of the brain and secretes hormones that regulate growth, thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive functions.

Disorders include hormone excesses (acromegaly, Cushing’s disease, prolactinoma) and deficiencies (growth hormone deficiency, hypopituitarism).

Treatment may involve medication, surgery, radiation, and lifelong hormone replacement, coordinated by an endocrinologist.

The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys and make cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline, and androgens.

• Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency): low cortisol; treated with steroid replacement.

• Cushing’s syndrome: high cortisol from tumor or medication; managed surgically or with cortisol-lowering drugs.

• Primary hyperaldosteronism: excess aldosterone causing hypertension and low potassium.

• Pheochromocytoma: tumor secreting adrenaline; requires surgical removal.

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: genetic enzyme defect leading to cortisol deficiency and androgen excess.

Osteoporosis is weakened, brittle bone due to imbalance between bone loss and formation, leading to fractures.

Hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, and parathyroid play key roles. Post-menopausal women and older men are at greatest risk.

Endocrinologists diagnose with bone-density scans and treat with calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and medications (bisphosphonates, denosumab, teriparatide) to prevent fractures.

Short stature is height below the 3rd percentile for age. One hormonal cause is growth hormone (GH) deficiency.

Pediatric endocrinologists diagnose with growth charts, bone-age X-rays, and GH stimulation tests.

Daily recombinant GH injections often restore normal growth velocity, helping children reach expected adult height.

Precocious puberty is puberty starting before age 8 in girls or 9 in boys; delayed puberty is absence of signs by 13 in girls or 14 in boys.

Endocrinologists evaluate hormone levels and may treat early puberty with GnRH analogs or stimulate delayed puberty with low-dose sex hormones, ensuring normal growth and psychosocial development.