Endocrinology is the medical specialty concerned with the study, diagnosis, and management of disorders of the endocrine glands and hormones, which regulate essential body functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and energy balance. Hormonal disorders may affect multiple body systems and require a specialized, holistic approach.
The Department of Endocrinology at Metropolitan General investigates and manages all endocrine (hormonal) disorders in adults.
More specifically, the Department of Endocrinology manages:
- Disorders of the thyroid gland (e.g. hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, goiter, thyroiditis, thyroid cancer).
- Disorders of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus (e.g. pituitary insufficiency, pituitary adenomas, hyperprolactinemia).
- Disorders of the parathyroid glands and calcium metabolism (e.g. hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, parathyroid adenomas, hypercalciuria).
- Adrenal disorders (e.g. adrenal tumors, adrenal insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia).
- Endocrine-related infertility (male and female).
- Menstrual disorders, menopause and hormone replacement therapy, acne, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Endocrine hypertension.
- Metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, lipid disorders, osteoporosis).
- Nutritional issues with emphasis on obesity and metabolic syndrome.
- Electrolyte disorders in hospitalized patients.
- Hormone-secreting tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Endocrine emergencies (e.g. diabetic ketoacidosis, thyrotoxic crisis, hyperosmolar coma, acute adrenal crisis).
- Preoperative preparation of patients with diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, and adrenal insufficiency.
- Performance of endocrine dynamic testing.