An endocrinologist is basically referred to a doctor who specializes in treating conditions of the endocrine system. Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system which generally refers to a collection of glands that produce hormones which are used in the regulation of various day to day activities such as metabolism of the body, growth, reproduction and other sexual functions. Major endocrine glands include the pituitary glands, hypothalamus, thyroid gland, pancreas and reproductive glands like the testes in males and ovaries in females. There are several other glands like the parathyroid glands or the adrenal glands which are also part of the endocrine system.
Endocrinologists are normally concerned with treating people suffering from hormonal imbalances, generally of the endocrine glands. The primary objective of the treatment is to restore the proper functioning of the endocrine glands, thus restoring hormonal balances in the body.
Thyroid gland is an endocrine gland, located in the throat cavity which is concerned with secreting hormones that regulate your blood pressure, temperature of the body, body metabolism as well as heart rate.
When should you go to an endocrinologist?
Any sort of irregularities in functioning of the thyroid gland can give rise to a number of thyroid gland problems, since the hormones produced from the thyroid gland control several key functions in your body.
There are a number of disorders which can occur due to problems in the regulation of the thyroid gland. If the function of the thyroid gland is not regulated properly, the gland can produce more or less hormone than required by the body. If the gland produces more hormones than required, the condition is referred to as hyperthyroidism, while if the gland produces less hormones than needed, the condition is known as hypothyroidism. There are other conditions of the thyroid glands like thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer which need medical attention.
If you have been diagnosed with any such issues like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, it is always better to consult an endocrinologist than a general practitioner. The primary reason is that a general practitioner or a general physician normally would not have enough expertise in treating problems of thyroid glands. Endocrinologists, on the other hand, have a specialized knowledge in treating problems of the endocrine glands, and thyroid glands are a part of the endocrine system. Therefore, it is quite evident that endocrinologists have more knowledge regarding the thyroid gland and its disorders and ways of treating those disorders.
Sometimes, general physicians are also not aware of the recent advancements in this particular field which a specialist in endocrinology is sure to possess.
Sometimes the nature of disease also demands the need for an endocrinologist to examine it. For example, if you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, it is quite necessary for you to visit an endocrinologist especially ones who specializes in dealing with thyroid problems, especially thyroid cancer. Similarly, if you are having symptoms of hyperthyroidism or symptoms of hypothyroidism, it is quite necessary for you to consult an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid problems.
Thyroid gland is an important gland of the endocrine system as it produces very important hormones that regulate various activities in your body. Thus, if you are facing any symptoms related to thyroid diseases, it is particularly useful to visit an endocrinologist rather than a general physician because an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid problems is considered to possess better capabilities and skills in terms of treating a thyroid problems as compared to a general physician.