Endocrinology

Endocrinology is the science and study of hormones and the hormone-producing glands. A doctor who specialises in this field of medicine is known as an endocrinologist.

At The Sarum Road Hospital, in Winchester, Hampshire, experienced Consultant Endocrinologists assess and treat all hormonal disorders. They would be delighted to help you too.

Hormones help control a number of vital functions such as our metabolism, regulation of sugar, salt and calcium levels, growth, puberty, and reproduction. They play an important role in our overall health, vitality, and general well-being.

The human body contain organs known as endocrine glands which hormones into the bloodstream to help maintain and regulate body function. If any of these glands are damaged and stop working properly, the amount of certain hormones they produce may be affected. If too little or too much hormone is produced and introduced into the bloodstream, health problems can occur. 

People who book a private Endocrinology appointment at The Sarum Road Hospital often complain of certain symptoms. Common issues that may indicate a hormone problem include:

• Weight loss 
• Shaking 
• Unusual sweating
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry skin
• Frequent kidney stones
• Various aches and pains in joints
• Blood sugar levels irregularities

If you are experiencing any new symptoms that are concerning you, or you have a long-term hormone condition that you would like reviewed by a Consultant, please contact us and we will arrange a private appointment for you at a time that is most convenient for you. 

Endocrinology is a complex, highly specialised area of medicine, and expert help at the earliest stage can be invaluable in controlling your symptoms and preventing further damage or problems occurring.  

Endocrine glands produce secrete chemical messengers known as hormones. Once produced, the endocrine glands release (secrete) the hormones into the bloodstream, where they are transported around the body. Once the hormones reach their target area, they cause a specific effect.

The main endocrine glands are:

• Hypothalamus  
• Pituitary – despite its small size (roughly the size of a large pea), the pituitary gland has a significant effect on every part of your body
• Thyroid – located in the neck, this produces thyroxine and triiodothyronine
• Parathyroid – comprised of four small glands which help to regulate calcium levels in our body
• Thymus – located between the lungs, behind your sternum (breastbone)
• Adrenal – located above each kidney, produce a variety of hormones, including adrenaline
• Pancreas – helps regulate blood sugar (particularly important for people with diabetes)
• Ovaries – produce progesterone and oestrogen
• Testes – produce testosterone 

Endocrine disorders/conditions that the Consultant Endocrinologists at The Sarum Road Hospital 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), pheochromocytoma (a tumour that produces too much adrenaline and noradrenaline)
• Hypogonadism – diminished functional activity of the gonads. In a male, this means less testosterone is produced, in a female less oestrogen is produced 
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – may cause a number of 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 
• Metabolic disorders 

At your first appointment, your Consultant will take a medical history and discuss your symptoms in detail with you. They may ask you questions like: 

• What symptoms do you have? 
• How long have you had them for / when did you first notice them? 
• Have they been getting worse over time? 
• Does anything seem to trigger your symptoms (e.g. certain food, activities etc.)? 
• How are your symptoms affecting daily life? Are they limiting you in any way? 
• Are you receiving any treatment currently? 

Depending on your symptoms and medical history, further tests may be needed to help with diagnosis. These can include blood tests, X-Ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound, any of which can be easily arranged for you when required.

Because hormones travel through the blood, blood tests are often particularly helpful as a diagnostic tool when investigating hormonal issues. Different blood tests can be done, depending on what needs to be measured and assessed. This may be: 

• Hormonal levels
• Cholesterol levels 
• Specific markers for diabetes control 
• Inflammation or other complications 

Ultrasound can be helpful for investigating the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and MRI or CT scans are useful for assessing the pituitary and the adrenal gland. (N.B. CT scans are usually done at our sister The hospital, The Hampshire Clinic in Winchester.) 

Once the results of any tests are back and a diagnosis has been made, your Consultant will meet with you to discuss treatment options.  

Due to the varied and variable nature of endocrine disorders and their symptoms, regular monitoring is important to make sure that any treatment is appropriate for your needs. Adjustments to treatment can easily be made by your Consultant if required to help maintain symptom relief.   

Some people will have been referred to us by their GP, diabetes nurse, a Private GP Service, or another healthcare professional. Others may have decided to self-refer based on their symptoms, and their desire to avoid delay in getting expert help. 

Most of our patients are local, living in and around Winchester, although excellent road access makes it easy to travel from further afield to meet with a Consultant Endocrinologist.

At The Sarum Road Hospital, you will always benefit from: 

Fast access to an expert – Hormonal disorders can have a major effect on quality of life and overall health, and the last thing you’ll want is to be added to a waiting list for weeks (or months!) before you can see somebody. We can easily and quickly arrange a private appointment for you with an experienced Consultant Endocrinologist, so that you can get the help you need sooner. 

Flexible appointments – Private endocrinology appointments are available to book at convenient times. While most appointments are carried out in the hospital, we can also offer remote appointments via telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate). 

Patient Satisfaction – In an independent survey, 99.5% of the people we treated said they were likely or highly likely to recommend The Sarum Road Hospital to their family and friends.  

Consultant-led care, always – There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment for hormonal disorders and imbalances. Finding exactly the right balance will often take a bit of time monitoring and adjusting treatment. You will always see the same Consultant, and they will oversee every aspect of your treatment, ensuring excellent continuity of care.  

An experienced team - Your Consultant Endocrinologist is supported by a number of other healthcare professionals including gynaecologists, neurologists, diabetes nurses and radiologists.  

Location – Located in a stunning rural setting, right on the edge of the Royal Winchester Golf Club, the hospital is easy to travel to and only minutes from the centre of Winchester.  

For known expert assessment and treatment of hormonal disorders, why not book your private Endocrinology appointment now? We very much look forward to welcoming you to The Sarum Road Hospital and helping you to get the help you need without delay.