Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that deals with the endocrine system, which controls the hormones in your body. Endocrinologists diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the endocrine system, including diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, infertility, cholesterol problems, hypertension, obesity and more.

The endocrine system’s glands and organs release hormones that regulate a number of vital functions of our body. Once released into the bloodstream, a hormone travels throughout the body until it reaches its specific destination to perform its function. If a hormonal imbalance occurs, some of your body’s systems will not work properly. Your body has built-in mechanisms to keep track of and respond to any changes in hormone levels to bring them back to normal and restore the balance.

Sometimes, this system goes wrong and there can be a problem that the body can’t fix itself. In this case, a primary care physician will refer you to an endocrinologist, who is an expert in treating frequently complex (and often chronic) conditions which can involve several different systems within the body.