Endocrinology
Hormones & the Endocrine System
Endocrinology is the study of conditions related to hormones. Hormone-secreting glands and certain organs in the body make up the endocrine system.
The endocrine system uses these hormones to control and coordinate the body’s internal metabolism (or homeostasis) energy level; reproduction; growth and development; and response to injury, stress and environmental factors.
Once a hormone – or a chemical messenger - is released into the bloodstream, it travels throughout the body until it reaches a specific destination, or target, tells a part of the body what work to do, when to do it and for how long.
The body's endocrine system includes the pancreas, the thyroid, parathyroid, pineal, hypothalamus, adrenal and pituitary glands, and the ovaries and testes. It also involves many other organs that respond to, modify or metabolize hormones. Endocrine glands do not include sweat glands or lymph glands.
Source: American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE)
There is a balancing act needed for hormones to function properly. If a hormonal imbalance occurs (too much or too little of one hormone), the body’s systems will not work properly. Often, the body can self-correct these imbalances and restore proper balance.
Your primary care provider (PCP) can diagnose and manage many endocrine conditions. When there is a chronic, complex imbalance, across several different systems of the body, your primary care provider can refer you to an endocrinologist for long-term support.
Referral Process
Endocrinology Associates of BCH – Superior requires referrals from a primary care provider. Referrals are reviewed for appropriateness prior to scheduling.
BCH endocrinologists:
Referrals are accepted for the following conditions ...
- Adrenal endocrinology: Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency), adrenal cancer, adrenal nodules, Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), Cushing's syndrome, High DHEA (specifically DHEA-S), hyperaldosteronism, and Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas (PPGLs)
- Calcium and bone endocrinology: Hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcemia, osteoporosis and osteopenia
- Diabetes: Gestational, Type 1, Type 2 and secondary; insulin pumps and low blood insulin levels. Postprandial hypoglycemia (low blood sugar symptoms) is treated with diet.
- Thyroid: Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, thyroiditis and thyroid nodules
- Pituitary: Pituitary adenomas (macro/micro), hyperprolactinemia and hypopituitarism
- Reproductive endocrinology: Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, gynecomastia, hypogonadism (male and female), menopause, perimenopause, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) {the new name for the condition previously known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)}, premature ovarian failure and transgender hormone therapy.
GLP-1s can be be prescribed for obesity (if covered by insurance). We do not prescribe Compounded GLP-1s. BCH's Robert Fineberg, MD, DABOM and Alexandra (Sasha) Thompson, FNP specialize in weight loss.
These conditions are NOT treated by our endocrinologists:
Adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC), adrenal fatigue, fatigue, hair loss, hyperhidrosis/sweating/body odor, hypoglycemia, infertility, insomnia, kidney stones (nephrolithiasis), lightheadedness/POTS, lipid disorders, migraines, non-PTH mediated hypercalcemia, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), positive TPO and Tg anitbodies with normal thyroid hormone levels (no treatment at this stage), Pre-diabetes, Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH), testosterone treatment in men with normal testosterone levels and testosterone treatment in pre-menopausal women.
Community Education Lecture: "Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis"
In her BCH lecture “Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis,”
board-certified internal medicine and endocrinologist
Farrah Anwar, MD, described how osteoporosis is diagnosed, the causes of osteoporosis,
and preventative treatments that can help maintain and increase our bone
density. Osteoporosis is responsible for an estimated two million broken
bones each year.