

When you see one, you'll still need to visit your primary doctor as well. You can always ask to go to an endocrinologist, too, even though your doctor doesn't suggest it first. Your diabetes has gotten tough to manage, or your treatment isn't working.You take a lot of shots or use an insulin pump.They don't have a lot of experience treating diabetes.You're brand new to diabetes and need to learn how to manage it.Your regular doctor can treat diabetes, but they might refer you to an endocrinologist when: When to See an Endocrinologist for Diabetes They may work in universities or medical schools, where they teach medical students and residents or do research. You can search for one on the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists website.

A group with different kinds of doctors.A medical practice with other endocrinologists.The whole process usually takes at least 10 years. They'll spend another 2 or 3 years training specifically in endocrinology. Afterward, they work in hospitals and clinics as residents for 3 years to get experience treating people. They go to college for 4 years, then medical school for 4 more years. Thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that controls your metabolism, energy, and brain growth and developmentĮndocrinologists are licensed internal medicine doctors who have passed an additional certification exam.Reproductive glands (gonads): ovaries in women, testes in men.Pituitary, a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain that keeps your hormones balanced.Parathyroids, small glands in your neck that control the calcium in your blood.Pancreas, which makes insulin and other substances for digestion.Hypothalamus, the part of your brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.Adrenals, glands that sit on top of your kidneys and help to control things like your blood pressure, metabolism, stress response, and sex hormones.They cover a lot of ground, diagnosing and treating conditions that affect your: When they specialize in treating children, they're called pediatric endocrinologists. They deal with metabolism, or all the biochemical processes that make your body work, including how your body changes food into energy and how it grows. Endocrinologists are doctors who specialize in glands and the hormones they make.
