Endocrinology
The endocrine system is a complex collection of hormone-producing glands that control basic body functions such as metabolism, growth and sexual development. The amount of hormones produced by each gland is carefully balanced. Too much or too little of a certain hormone can have effects throughout the body and cause various endocrine disorders. Many of the hormones produced by the endocrine glands interact with each other to maintain this delicate balance. The endocrine system consists of the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, pancreas, adrenal cortex, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, and reproductive organs.
At CHI Health, our team of board-certified Endocrinologists are internal medicine specialists that have completed advanced training in hormonal diseases and are certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism. Your Endocrinologist does not replace your primary care provider and will communicate regularly with your primary care clinician
Common Endocrine Diseases & Conditions
- Cushing’s syndrome (an adrenal gland disorder that causes excessive levels of the cortisol hormone)
- Graves’ disease (a thyroid gland disorder that causes excessive levels of the thyroid hormone)
- Acromegaly (a pituitary gland disorder that causes overproduction of growth hormone)
- Addison’s disease (decreased production of adrenal gland hormones)
- Diabetes mellitus (a decrease in the hormone insulin that affects the way your body uses the energy in food)
- Graves’ disease (excessive levels of the thyroid hormone)
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune disease resulting in low production of thyroid hormone)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Prolactinoma ( pituitary gland tumor that causes overproduction of the hormone prolactin)
These conditions often have many symptoms, affect multiple parts of the body, and can range in severity from mild to very severe. Treatments depend on the specific disorder but often focus on adjusting hormone balance using synthetic hormones.