Endocrinology is a branch of medicine concerned with the structure, function and disorders of the endocrine glands, such as the thyroid and pituitary glands, that produce an endocrine secretion. These hormones regulate many of the body's functions, including metabolism, reproductive system, blood sugar levels, body heat and ossification, or bone growth. The hormonal imbalance of the endocrine system can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms, such as obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and growth problems.
Diabetes
The problem of diabetes is elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Insulin therapy is necessary if you have type 1 diabetes and can't produce enough insulin in your body. You still may need to take additional diabetes pills, such as Meglitinides, to help your pancreas make insulin. Metformin, an oral biguanide drug, is commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes where the body can't utilize insulin properly.
Thyroid Disorders
An underactive thyroid gland has an effect on your weight and energy level. The objective of thyroid hormone treatment is to replace the deficit of thyroid hormone and to provide relief from symptoms. An iodine-containing synthetic hormone, thyroxine or T4, is commonly used to treat thyroid disorders. One important challenge in thyroid hormone therapy is to make sure the patient's thyroid levels are within the proper range.
Osteoporosis
Various medications are available for the prevention of bone mass loss. Bisphosphonates is a class of medications that acts like estrogen, an endocrine hormone that's essential for reaching the peak bone mass density. They prove beneficial in reducing the incidence of osteoporosis in men, young adults and people with steroid-induced osteoporosis, notes MayoClinic.com. Raloxifene is in a group of medications, called selective estrogen receptor modulator, or SERM, used to replicate estrogen's protective effects on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
