Although it doesn’t get much attention, your endocrine system has one of the most important roles in your body it regulates the secretion of hormones and works to keep your body balanced. At Family Medical Specialists of Florida, PLC, the team of physicians understands the importance of your endocrine system and the trouble it causes when it’s not functioning correctly. If you live in or near Plant City, Florida, and think you may have a hormonal imbalance or endocrine disorder, it’s time to call the office to schedule your appointment. You can even book online.
Endocrine Q & A
What are endocrine disorders?
Endocrine disorders impact the functioning of your endocrine system, a network of glands that make and release hormones. These hormones influence body functions from creating energy to developing sexual characteristics.
Endocrine disorders can impact any of the glands in your endocrine system, including the:
- Adrenal glands
- Hypothalamus
- Ovaries
- Pancreas
- Parathyroid
- Pineal gland
- Pituitary gland
- Testes
- Thymus
- Thyroid gland
Some of the conditions included in endocrine disorders include menopause, testosterone deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency. Lyme disease also impacts the endocrine system and creates hormonal imbalances throughout the body.
Even a slight change in hormone creation and release can wreak havoc on your body and lead to a wide range of side effects. Because of this, keeping the endocrine system balanced is one of your primary care doctor’s goals.
What causes endocrine disorders?
Endocrine disorders tend to result from one of two things: The gland creates too much or too little hormone, which ends up in a hormonal imbalance; or lesions develop within the system and impact the gland functioning.
When an endocrine gland fails to release the correct amount of hormone, multiple issues can occur. Some of the most common include:
- Certain diseases
- Infections
- Lack of stimulation of another gland to release hormones
- Genetic disorders, including multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)
- Injury or damage to the gland
- Tumor on the gland
Although most endocrine tumors and growths are benign (noncancerous), they can still impact how the gland functions and interfere with how it produces and releases hormones.
How are endocrine disorders treated?
The type of endocrine disorder and the scope of your symptoms determine how the team at Family Medical Specialists of Florida treats it. If you have mild symptoms, you may not require treatment. Instead, your doctor may recommend future screenings to monitor the condition’s progression.
When your symptoms prove problematic, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy. By supplementing hormones and re-establishing hormonal balance, many of the symptoms fade and, sometimes, disappear.
If you think you may be suffering from an endocrine disorder, call the office today or go online to book your appointment at Family Medical Specialists.