Endocrinologist

To say that hormones are pretty important components of our bodies is an understatement. They start puberty, control our metabolism, and encourage growth, among other things.

So what does a person do if they have malfunctioning hormones (or glands, which are organs that make hormones)? They visit you, the Endocrinologist. As an Endocrinologist, you’re a specialized Doctor who treats diseases and conditions specific to the endocrine system.

As an Endocrinologist, your patient sessions go pretty much the same way as any other Doctor’s. You start off with a discussion of the patient’s problems, then you give an exam and make a diagnosis. Additionally, you might order tests or ask your patient to start a food diary.

Most of your patients come from referrals from regular Doctors, so you usually start your appointments with some idea of what you’re dealing with. Throughout treatment, you keep detailed notes and records to see how your patient is doing and if their condition is improving.

So what exactly are the diseases you treat? These can be pretty much anything where there is an imbalance of hormones. You might see patients with diabetes, infertility, stunted growth, thyroid problems, menopause, high blood pressure, or cancer of the endocrine system.

Usually, Endocrinologists focus on one system and group of glands, as well as a specific group of patients. You might decide to work with kids, which means you’ll see a different set of diseases than if you decided to work with older adults.