What does an Endocrinologist treat?
Endocrinologists are specially trained doctors who diagnose diseases that affect the glands.
Kelsey-Seybold’s endocrinologists treat hormone disorders such as diabetes that knock-out the body’s ability to function properly. Diabetes is important because it affects so many people – children as well as adults. Our endocrinologists also diagnose and treat thyroid diseases, metabolic disorders, and over or under production of hormones. Some of the common conditions treated by Kelsey-Seybold endocrinologists are described below.
Diabetes
Patients with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood. Recent studies have found that controlling blood sugar helps prevent serious problems that can be caused by diabetes.
These can include problems with the eyes, kidneys and nerves, which can lead to blindness, dialysis or in some cases, amputation.
Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. Over 40 million Americans have pre-diabetes.
Several things happen when food is digested: A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body. An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat and liver cells where it can be used as fuel.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. People with diabetes have high blood sugar because their pancreas does not make enough insulin, their muscle, fat and liver cells don’t respond to insulin normally, or both.
Your Kelsey-Seybold endocrinologist treats diabetes with diet and medications, including insulin. He or she also works closely with your primary care physician to control and monitor blood sugar to prevent health problems.
In addition, nurses who are certified as diabetes educators (CDEs) and work as an extension of our endocrinologists, help to educate and treat patients with the appropriate diets to assist in attaining a favorable outcome
