Thyroid specialist
Specialists who deal with thyroid problem are called thyroidologists. Thyroid is an endocrine gland. Therefore an endocrinologist who specializes in the endocrine system can also be consulted for thyroid problems and diseases. Thyroidologist and endocrinologist are specially trained doctors who diagnose and treat diseases affecting the thyroid gland. A thyroid specialist continues specialized education focused on thyroid issues after obtaining a Masters degree in medicine. He is qualified and trained to treat conditions that are complex and involve many systems within the body that may be affected due to thyroid imbalance.
A primary care doctor too often misses the diagnosis of a thyroid disease. Sometimes primary care doctors refer patients to a thyroid specialist when there is problem in the endocrine/ hormone systems. Thyroid specialists treat patients with too much or too little thyroid hormone. The thyroid specialist helps the patients to reach a hormone balance by replacing or blocking thyroid hormone. Thyroid specialists also receive special training to manage patients with thyroid growths or thyroid cancer and enlarged thyroid glands. There are times when the services of a thryoidologist or an endocrinologist become absolutely necessary.
- A thyroid specialist has to be consulted when a patient is suffering from the hyperthyroid autoimmune - Graves' disease. This is a condition which can be treated only by a thyroid specialist and not by a regular GP. Graves's disease and hyperthyroid management involves a number of therapies, antithyroid drug use, radioactive iodine treatments and even surgery if necessary.
- Evaluation and treatment for thyroid nodule can be rendered only by thyroid specialists. Thyroid nodule is evaluated by ultrasound and fine needle biopsy process. This is done to rule out the possibility of thyroid cancer.
- Thyroid cancer is rare and less than 15000 new cases are diagnosed every year. An expert thyroid specialist is highly recommended to diagnose, evaluate, treat and help in long term follow up and support management of thyroid cancer.
- Thyroid surgery is performed when the gland becomes so large that is cosmetically disfiguring. This is normally done if a thyroid has markedly enlarged for years. Thyroid surgery should be performed by an experienced thyroid surgeon. Only an experienced thyroid surgeon can handle the complications that can arise due to thyroid surgery.
- A thyroid specialist can assess hypothyroidism levels. This is done by evaluation of TSH level. A thyroid specialist considers other options such as symptoms, family history and clinical factors to make a thyroid diagnosis.
- After a person has been diagnosed for hypothyroidism, a thyroid specialist treats and manages the patient for other signs and symptoms as well. Such symptoms are weight gain, depression, brain fog, hair loss, shortness of breath, intolerance to heat and cold, muscle aches and joint pains, constipation, carpal tunnel, high cholesterol, infertility, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Endocrinologist
The keen focus in the study of endocrinology is on the endocrine organs such as the pituitary, adrenals, thyroid, testes, ovaries and pancreas. The most important function of these organs is to secrete hormones and in balanced levels. Human body does not always secrete balanced levels of hormones from these glands and thus a hormonal imbalance occurs. This hormonal imbalance is called as endocrinopathy or endocrinosis, this field of study points out the functioning and how to fix the malfunctioning of any of the endocrine glands. A doctor who specializes in the treatment of endocrine disorders is called an endocrinologist. The doctor specializes in fields such as diabetes (malfunctioning of the pancreas), hyperthyroidism (malfunctioning of the thyroid glands) etc.
After completion of medical school, and after three to four years of internship and residency, further specialization of two or three years is needed. Special branches of endocrinologists:
Endorphin
Endorphins are brain chemicals made by the endocrine system. Endorphins are called anti stress proteins. The pituitary gland and hypothalamus produce endorphins when the body is in pain, excited or exercising. They work much like opiods in that they cause a sense of well-being and reduce pain and stress. They are natural painkillers. Endorphins also play a role in modulating appetite, enhancing immune response and euphoric feeling.
The polypeptide chain of the endorphin is made up of 3 to 39 amino acids. Structurally endorphins are similar to morphine and hence the term endogenous morphine was coined. However, these endorphins have similar prototypes called enkephalins and dynorphins. Endorphins facilitate the mechanism of pain reduction in the body. These protein molecules play analgesic role in cohesion with receptors called opioids in the brain cord causing pain relief. Endorphins are also called as natural analgesics and they have a very significant effect on the nervous system.
Endorphins are released by the nervous system hence; they are also called neuropeptides. Endorphins also possess neuro transmitter functionality. The prototypes of endorphins have smaller structure however, dynorphin facilitates potent sedation which is stronger than the effect of endorphin. The action of endorphins has very high significance in important situations during childbirth.
The bodies of living organisms have a unique mechanism of pain management to which the production of endorphins contribute in a major way. The series of events that occur in the body proactively triggers the brain to produce endorphins in order to effectively subside the pain and stress produced. However, fear is the only form of human expression that has a tendency to inhibit the endorphin production from the brain.
The external pain generated is transmitted to the brain and spinal cord in a series of sensory and motor responses. This triggers the release of endorphins from the brain, immediately to reduce the pain. In addition, endorphins are associated with inducing the production of various hormones such as the growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and thyrotropin. Endorphins reduce muscle wasting and depression. Endorphins effectively facilitate the process of hydration. Endorphins are also known to enhance the control of cravings, addictive behaviors and frustrated behavior patterns. Endorphins play a vital role promoting the delay of aging process and also enhancing the immune system.
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