What is Endocrinology?  

Endocrinology is the specialist area of medicine that researches, diagnoses and treats problems with the endocrine glands. An endocrine gland is a gland which produce hormones such as the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, ovaries and testicles. Hormones are vital to your health and well-being. They are your body’s chemical messengers and control many body functions such as: 

• Growth and development
• Metabolism and weight
• Sexual function and reproduction
• Mood

Humans have over 50 different hormones which can be secreted in very small amounts and still have a significant impact on bodily function and development. Hormone levels change naturally throughout life as the body matures and ages but sometimes problems can arise. Certain diseases and conditions can develop when glands produce too many or too few hormones. Hormone imbalances are the underlying reason for a wide range of medical conditions such as diabetes, weight changes, infertility and other problems. Being told you have a hormone imbalance is an understandably worrying time, especially if you receive conflicting information or your current treatment is not fully controlling your symptoms. Even if your endocrine condition is stable, it may be useful to see a specialist as many new treatments are being developed which can improve your condition.

What is an endocrinologist?

An endocrinologist is a specialist who diagnoses and treats hormone problems and the complications arising from them. Our understanding of endocrinology is constantly changing and the job of an endocrinologist is to keep up to date with the latest research and guide you to the best available treatment for your condition based on the scientific evidence. Your GP will have referred you to an endocrinologist if they suspect you have a hormonal abnormality so that your symptoms and any associated physical changes can be fully assessed. The endocrinologist can request specialist investigations to diagnose the cause of your symptoms and will answer your questions and explain your treatment options. The aim is to restore your hormone levels to the normal range and to protect your long-term health.

This website is designed to help you understand the conditions connected to endocrinology, diabetes and obesity. My goal here is to simply raise awareness, increase knowledge and therefore reduce concerns about these conditions which I have spent a career treating.

What conditions do you treat?

I treat the following:

• Obesity, weight loss and medical management after bariatric surgery.
• Gynaecological endocrinology including polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian insufficiency and the menopause.
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications.
• Hypertension (High blood pressure), high cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risk.
• All aspects of thyroid disease including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
• Calcium disorders and osteoporosis
• Pituitary and adrenal disease such as Addison’s Disease.
• Diabetes and endocrine disease in pregnancy

If you would like more detailed information about any of the conditions then please click on ‘conditions and treatments’. You can also find more information in ‘patient information’. ‘News’ and ‘video’ categories are additional resources that I hope you find useful. 

Although every effort is made to ensure that the information on this website is accurate and up-to-date it is for information only and is not meant to substitute the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.

Dr Mohgah Elsheikh