Endocrinologist

Most often your primary care physician will refer you to an Endocrinologist. However you may see an endocrinologist if you feel you have hormone disorders of the endocrine glands.

What are the various endocrine glands and their roles?

The Various endocrine glands are:

Pituitary (the master gland): It directs the other glands to secrete their hormones in order. It directly secretes the GROWTH HORMONE (which is responsible for growth during childhood) and PROLACTIN which is important for milk secretion. It secretes FSH and LH which maintain the secretion of the sex glands (OVARIES and TESTES) and is important for fertility. It also secretes TSH which directs the thyroid to secrete to hormones correctly.

 

Diabetes

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes is a condition characterized by increased blood glucose levels in the blood/body.

What Happens in Diabetes?

Normally the food we eat gets broken down and converted in glucose which is utilized by all the cells of the body for normal function and metabolism. In diabetes, the glucose is not appropriately utilized resulting in the increased circulating blood glucose.

What are the different types of diabetes?

• There are different types of diabetes.
• Type 1DM: Symptoms of diabetes.
• Why to treat diabetes.

Diabetes Myths and Facts

Myth: People with diabetes need to follow a special diet.

Fact: Diabetes benefit from the same healthy diet that everyone in general should follow.

Myth: Diabetes is not any serious issue.

Fact: Diabetes and its complications cause more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Having diabetes nearly doubles your change of having a heart attack. The GOOD NEWS is that good diabetes control can reduce your risk for diabetes complications.

Myth: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar.

Fact: Type1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease caused by genetic and unknown factors which trigger its onset. Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetic and lifestyle factors.  Being overweight increases your risk for type 2 diabetes. Any diet high in calories from any source, not just high sugar diet contributes to weight gain.

Myth: People with type 1 diabetes can’t participate in sports.

Fact: They can be tennis players, mountain climbers, weight lifter, basketball stars, cricketers- the sky is the limit.

Myth: Women with diabetes should not get pregnant.

Fact: Women who manage their diabetes well can have a normal pregnancy and give birth to healthy baby.

Myth: People with diabetes cannot donate blood.

Fact: You will be eligible to donate blood as long as your diabetes is well controlled and other medical conditions are met.

Myth: You will know diabetes by its symptoms.

Fact: Not Always!! Type 2 diabetes often goes undiagnosed it usually has few or no symptoms when it first develops.

Myth: People who need insulin are in serious trouble.

Fact: Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease and most people with it will eventually need insulin. By using insulin to keep their diabetes in good control, people with type 2 diabetes can often avoid complications and lead a healthy life. Complications of diabetes.

 

Thyroid

The butterfly shaped gland, secretes the thyroid hormones which are important for maintaining all the body functions heart, breathing, metabolism, weight, bowel activity, neurological functions etc.

Pancreas (Endocrine Part): Pancreas is situated in the loop of duodenum (Part of small intestine) and secretes endocrine hormones like insulin and glucagon etc. These hormones are important in metabolism. The regulate the utilization of the food we eat. The abnormalities of secretion and action can cause Diabetes and Hypoglycemia.

Diabetes: Type 1 or type 2 or Secondary uncontrolled, brittle, difficult to mange, with complications, Gestational Diabetes, Post Transplant.

Adrenal Glands: Two small glands sitting on top of each kidney. They secrete many hormones including the glucocorticoids and the maneralocorticoids. Their disorders can cause. Cushing’s syndrome (having obesity, thinning of skin, muscle, weakness, diabetes, hypertension etc as features). Adrenal insufficiency (having weakness, GI problems, hypotension, weight loss etc as problems). Secondary Hypertension (Elevated BP in very young age, not controllable by drugs).

 

Ovaries & Testis: The reproductive organs are important site for secreting sex hormones important for maintaining the sexual functions of the body. Disorders may cause hypogonadism (loss of sexual functions, loss of hair, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, infertility etc). Disorder function of ovaries may cause PCOD (Polycystic ovarian disease which presents with excessive facial and body hair, acne, irregular menses and infertility). Children man has Pubertal Issues presenting with either delayed or early puberty, Gynecomastia (or enlarged male breasts).

Vitamin D: It is a hormone secreted by the skin and modified in the liver and kidney. Its function is maintenance of bone metabolism beside others. Patient may present with muscle and weakness of bones including Osteoporosis.

Endocrine Disorder