Growth spurts. Pregnancy. Hunger. What do they have in common?

They’re all normal—and they’re all controlled by hormones. But if something goes awry in one of the many body systems that rely on normal hormone function, it may be time to see an endocrinologist.

Endocrinologists are specialists trained to diagnose and treat problems related to the endocrine system, which is made up of numerous glands and organs that produce hormones.

Years of training

Endocrinology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Acquiring the knowledge and expertise needed to practice it requires many years of education, including:

• Four years of medical school, followed by three or four years in internship and residency.
• Two or three more years learning how to diagnose and treat hormone conditions.

Endocrinologists practice in many areas, such as private practice, medical schools, general medicine, surgery and pharmacology.

Areas of expertise

Even if you’ve never been to an endocrinologist’s office, you might know someone who has. That’s because endocrinologists often treat an increasingly common endocrine system disease: diabetes. They may also be consulted on:

• Bone diseases.
• Infertility problems.
• Menopause.
• Metabolic disorders.
• Ovarian, breast, pancreatic or adrenal cancers.
• Thyroid conditions.

Working together

If you have a condition that requires an endocrinologist’s expertise, your follow-up care will probably come from your primary care physician. If you have ongoing endocrine issues, the two doctors will confer to decide who will handle your care.

Sources: American College of Physicians; American Diabetes Association; Endocrine Society