Endocrinology

Endocrinology is the study of hormones and the hormone-producing glands. A doctor who specialises in this field of medicine is known as a Consultant Endocrinologist.  

Hormones play a vital role in our health, vitality and well-being. They maintain and regulate body functions such as metabolism, regulation of sugar, salt and calcium levels, growth, puberty and reproduction.  

Endocrine glands are organs that secrete hormones. Should anything affect these glands, they may produce too much or too little of a specific hormone. An imbalance in hormone levels can affect the way our body feels and functions and has the potential to cause serious health problems.

Symptoms of a hormone disorder may include:

• Weight loss 
• Shaking 
• Sweating 
• Excessive tiredness  
• Dry skin 
• Kidney stones 
• Aches and pains in joints 
• Irregularities in blood sugar levels  

At Bishops Wood Hospital, our Consultant Endocrinologists can help manage and treat a range of hormonal disorders. They would be delighted to meet with you and help you access the most appropriate treatment for your specific needs. If you would like to book a consultation with them, please contact us, and we can arrange that for you without delay. 

A hormone can be thought of as a chemical messenger. The endocrine glands release hormones into the blood, which then transports them to another part of the body. They then act to produce a specific effect.

The main endocrine glands in the body are: 

• Hypothalamus  
• Pituitary 
• Thyroid – located in the neck, produces thyroxine and triiodothyronine  
• Parathyroid – comprised of four small glands, which regulate calcium levels in the body 
• Thymus – positioned between the lungs, behind the breastbone (sternum) 
• Adrenal – located above each kidney. Produce a number of different hormones including adrenaline 
• Pancreas – regulates blood sugar 
• Ovaries – produce progesterone and oestrogen  
• Testes – twin endocrine glands that produce testosterone. 

The endocrine system is similar to a thermostat in a house. When everything is working normally, a constant temperature is maintained. If the thermostat stops working for any reason, the temperature can vary considerably.   

This is an imperfect illustration of course, as the endocrine system has a far more extensive reach than a thermostat in a house. Manty different areas, systems, organs and functions of the body can be significantly affected by a hormone disorder.   

Common endocrine disorders/conditions that our Consultant Endocrinologists are asked to help with include: 

• Overactive thyroid (thyrotoxicosis) 
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) 
• Calcium disorders – including hyper- and hypo-parathyroidism 
• Adrenal Disorders – Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency) and Conn’s syndrome (production of too much aldosterone) 
• Hypogonadism – diminished functional activity of the gonads. In a female, this means that less oestrogen is produced. In a male, less testosterone is produced 
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – can cause a few different symptoms, including irregular periods 
• Pituitary Problems - including prolactinoma (a type of tumour) and non-functioning adenoma (a benign tumour in the pituitary gland) 
• Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes 

Due to the way hormones work, travelling around the body through the blood, diagnosing the cause of any symptoms can be quite complex and will often involve a number of investigations to confirm.  

When you first meet with your consultant, they will take a medical history and discuss your symptoms. They may ask you questions like: 

• What symptoms do you have? 
• How long have you had these symptoms for? 
• Have they been getting worse over time? 
• Have you noticed any particular triggers (e.g. food, activities, stress, tiredness etc.)? 
• How are your symptoms affecting your daily life? 

Depending on your symptoms and medical history, you may need additional tests to help confirm a diagnosis. Blood tests are often extremely helpful. If diagnostic tests like MRI or ultrasound are needed, they can be easily arranged for you on-site.  

Once the results of any investigations are back and a diagnosis has been made, your consultant will meet with you again to talk through treatment options with you. Most endocrine disorders will require regular monitoring to ensure your symptoms continue to be adequately managed. This means that treatment can be quickly and easily adjusted as needed. 

People come to us for help with their hormonal disorders for a number of reasons. Some have been referred by their GP, diabetes nurse or another healthcare professional. Others have chosen to self-refer based on their symptoms.  

When you visit Bishops Wood Hospital, you will benefit from: 

• Fast access to an experienced Consultant Endocrinologist – Hormonal disorders can often have a significant effect on both your quality of life and your overall health. To avoid developing more serious health problems in the future, you will want to get expert help, fast. We can book you an appointment with an experienced Consultant Endocrinologist without delay. 
• Consultant-led care – You will see the same consultant for each visit, so you will never have to worry about seeing a more junior doctor. Your consultant will oversee every aspect of your care, from initial appointment through to treatment planning and follow-up.  Hormonal disorders and imbalances are often challenging to treat and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to treatment. With regular follow-up appointments, your consultant will make sure you continue to receive the ideal treatment for your particular condition at all times. If you have any questions at any time, or your symptoms flare up, it is very easy to book an appointment with them.  
• Remote consultations available – Endocrinology consultations are usually carried out in person at the hospital, but we can also offer remote consultations by telephone or online video call if required and where clinically appropriate. 
• Multidisciplinary team: Your Consultant Endocrinologist is supported by a number of other healthcare professionals including gynaecologists, neurologists, diabetes nurses and radiologists to ensure you are expertly supported and cared for during your time with us. With fast, simple access to any member of this multidisciplinary team, you will always see the most appropriate specialist for your need. 
• Patient Satisfaction – In an independent survey, 94.1% of the people we treated said they were likely or extremely likely to recommend Bishops Wood Hospital to their family and friends. We continue to focus on delivering the highest standard of care for everyone who visits us for help with a hormonal disorder 
• Location – We’re located in the grounds of Mount Vernon Hospital, and it is very easy to travel to us by private or public transport. Our on-site car park is free of charge, although you will need to register your car with us at Reception when you first arrive in order to validate your free parking.  

Whatever hormonal disorder you are struggling with, whether your symptoms are relatively mild or much more severe, expert help is available for you at Bishops Wood Hospital.  

Your Consultant Endocrinologist will thoroughly investigate your symptoms, diagnose the cause and explore suitable treatment options with you. Treatment will always be tailored to your specific requirements and then carefully monitored and adjusted as required.  

For peace of mind and known expert care, why not book your Endocrinology appointment today? We look forward to welcoming you to Bishops Wood Hospital soon.