What is Endocrinology & Diabetology?
Endocrinology is a rapidly expanding branch of internal medicine that cover the body’s hormone action (endocrine system) and its pathophysiology in human endocrine clinical syndromes.
The endocrine system includes the pancreas (the scattered islets of Langerhans where insulin among other hormones is produced), the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, gonadal and parathyroid glands as well as the neuroendocrine,renal, gastrointestinal and other organ systems. An endocrinologist can diagnose and treat hormone problems and the complications that arise from them.
There are a few sub-specialities devoted to specific areas where hormones work.
- Paediatric endocrinology – looking at hormones in children
- Thyroid endocrinology – looking at how the thyroid affects metabolism
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals – where chemicals which mimic the effects of hormones are present in the environment
- Comparative endocrinology
Diabetologists are generally endocrinologists with a special interest in diabetes. Treatment of diabetes usually involves a multidisciplinary team of diabetic educators, nurses, podiatrists, ophthalmologists and renal physicians to educate, treat and monitor a patient. Treatment usually involves medications either orally or through insulin injections.
