What Does an Endocrinologist Do?
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Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD
An endocrinologist treats health conditions related to the endocrine system, which produces and regulates your body’s hormones. Several different glands in the body are part of the endocrine system, such as the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal gland, pancreas, and the gonads (either the testes or the ovaries, depending on your sex). An issue with the functioning of these glands may cause hormonal conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease.
What Does an Endocrinologist Do?
Endocrinologists study diseases of the endocrine system, which makes them qualified to diagnose these conditions, order tests and interpret the results, and prescribe treatment. Some endocrinologists can also perform medical interventions or other ultrasound-assisted procedures to treat certain conditions. However, most major surgeries will be done by an endocrine surgeon—a surgeon who has received special education and training to perform surgeries on the endocrine glands.
What Training Does an Endocrinologist Need?
An endocrinologist must complete medical school, a three-year residency program in internal medicine, and then an additional two- to three-year fellowship program in endocrinology to become a board-certified endocrinologist.
Conditions an Endocrinologist Can Diagnose and Treat
Too much or too little of any hormone the endocrine system produces can result in several types of health conditions. If you have one of the following conditions, an endocrinologist will likely support your treatment and care plan:
Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs when your pancreas creates either too little insulin, no insulin at all, or doesn't respond to insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps turn sugar, (glucose) in your bloodstream into energy for your cells. Without the right amount of insulin, there is too much glucose in your blood, which can cause several health problems, including obesity and heart disease. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
Thyroid disease: There are several types of thyroid diseases, but they are all caused by either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). Other diseases related to thyroid hormone production include the autoimmune conditions Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Disease.
Adrenal disorders: These conditions occur when you have too much or too little hormone production within your adrenal glands. Adrenal disorders are often related to cortisol (a hormone that regulates many processes, including stress, blood pressure, and metabolism). The most common of these conditions are Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome.
Growth disorders: The pituitary gland is responsible for producing the right amount of growth hormones—so if it produces too much or too little, it can cause you to grow too much or not enough. Growth disorders mostly affect children but can affect adults, too.
Parathyroid disorders: Located near your thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands are responsible for maintaining the right amount of calcium in your body. When these glands produce too much or too little hormone, it can cause conditions that affect your bones.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a common hormonal imbalance that causes irregular menstrual periods as well as skin, hair, and weight changes. It’s also a leading cause of fertility problems.
Osteoporosis: Not all cases of osteoporosis, or weakening of the bones, occur due to problems with the endocrine system. But sometimes hormonal changes that happen during the normal aging process (especially a decrease in estrogen) can trigger osteoporosis. Thyroid problems and adrenal gland disorders can also cause this condition to develop.
Procedures an Endocrinologist Can Perform
The majority of procedures that treat endocrine disorders involve surgery or radiation therapy (in some cases). An endocrinologist usually does not perform either of these procedures. But, a reproductive endocrinologist can perform in-office and outpatient procedures that don’t involve surgery or radiation therapy for people receiving care for infertility.
A reproductive endocrinologist can also perform certain tests (like an ultrasound, X-ray, or scoping procedures) to diagnose the source of your fertility problems. They are also trained in certain interventions that can help you with becoming pregnant, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Types of Endocrinologists
Most endocrinologists are trained to diagnose and treat all types of endocrine disorders, but some endocrinologists specialize in certain areas, like pediatric care and reproductive medicine. Many endocrinologists focus more exclusively on certain types of endocrine disorders, like diabetes, thyroid disorders, metabolic disorders, or the study of cancerous and non-cancerous growths or tumors on the endocrine glands. But these specializations don’t usually have standalone titles.
Pediatric Endocrinologists
A pediatric endocrinologist treats endocrine disorders in children and teens (usually anyone under the age of 18). They treat many of the same conditions in children as non-pediatric endocrinologists treat in adults, such as diabetes and thyroid disorders. But these providers can also treat growth or development problems and puberty-related conditions.
Reproductive Endocrinologists
Reproductive endocrinologists are doctors with special training and education in treating infertility, or the inability to become pregnant after at least one year of trying to conceive. They focus on the endocrine glands that overlap with the reproductive system, like the testes and ovaries. These providers can diagnose the causes of infertility, recommend treatments, and perform procedures to correct anatomical barriers to fertility or assist people with becoming pregnant.
When Do You Need To See an Endocrinologist?
Most people see an endocrinologist after getting a referral from a primary care provider. Your provider will likely refer you to an endocrinologist if you report common endocrine-related symptoms during a physical exam (like unexplained weight loss or gain, muscle weakness, fatigue, depression, stomach upset, and headache).
You may also need to see an endocrinologist after one or more tests suggest a hormonal imbalance or other abnormalities—like high blood sugar levels (which could indicate diabetes) or an ultrasound that shows signs of PCOS (like multiple cysts in your ovaries).
Sometimes, an endocrinologist is a part of your healthcare team—meaning. you'll see them on an ongoing basis after receiving a diagnosis of an endocrine disease. They can continue helping you manage your condition, adjusting medication dosages, or discussing different treatment options.
What To Expect When Visiting an Endocrinologist
The first visit with an endocrinologist will include a physical examination as well as a conversation about your symptoms, the results of any recent testing you’ve had done, and a discussion of the next steps.
While some types of endocrine disorders have clear physical signs, many symptoms can only be detected with diagnostic testing like blood work or imaging such as CT scans or ultrasound. Still, the physical exam is important. An endocrinologist may look at your skin in several different areas, checking for excess hair growth, lumps or lesions, acne, or skin discoloration. They'll likely also touch your thyroid gland to check for any bumps or swelling.
They will also likely spend a good deal of time asking you about your symptoms, including how severe they are, how frequently you experience them, and how long they have been occurring. Your endocrinologist will also ask about any family history of endocrine-related conditions and your lifestyle and dietary habits.
Because there are so many different endocrine disorders, there’s no single set of tests your endocrinologist might want to perform. In general, blood work and imaging tests can help diagnose many types of endocrine disorders. The same is true for treatments, which can include over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, vitamins and supplements, and lifestyle changes.
How To Prepare for a Visit to an Endocrinologist
If the provider who referred you to an endocrinologist is in communication with the endocrinologist’s office, you may not need to do much to prepare for your first visit. However, you may need to bring your medical records, list of current medications, and recent test results to your appointment so your endocrinologist can review them if they haven't already.
It can also help to prepare any questions you have for your endocrinologist and bring them with you to your appointment. If you've been tracking your symptoms (such as keeping a journal) bring that information as well. Finally, make sure that your insurance covers your endocrinologist visit, and call your hospital billing department to see if you may need to cover the cost of any co-pays.
A Quick Review
An endocrinologist treats diseases and disorders of the endocrine system, which produces and regulates the body’s hormones. The most common endocrine conditions include diabetes, thyroid disease, and PCOS—all of which an endocrinologist can diagnose and treat.
If you suspect you have an endocrine disorder, a good first step is to make an appointment with your primary care provider. They can perform a basic examination, perform initial testing, and refer you to an endocrinologist if they think you need specialty care.
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