Endocrinology

Endocrinology

Hormones are responsible for performing many functions in the body. Endocrine (hormonal) system is formed by endocrine glands, which provide the production of hormones. The endothelial cells that cover the inner surface of the pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, pancreas, ovaries and testicles, adrenal glands, and vessels are the glands that make up the endocrine system. Insufficient secretion, no secretion or excessive secretion of hormones produced and secreted in the endocrine glands cause hormonal diseases. Many diseases such as deficiencies in vitamin and mineral absorption, sexual diseases, diabetes, obesity and goiter fall under the specialization of endocrine system diseases Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases clinics. At the same time, diagnosis and treatment of congenital fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism diseases mostly due to hereditary factors are also carried out by Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases clinics.

The department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases specializes in hormones and metabolic diseases. Our hospitals have all the facilities and state-of-the-art equipment for radiological imaging methods, especially hormone tests, and all other diagnostic tests needed for endocrinology and metabolic diseases.

The main diseases treated in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases clinics are:
 

Obesity (Obesity)
Obesity is a health problem that develops when the body mass index is over 30 and the body mass and fat ratio is much higher than it should be. Although obesity, which is very common in the world and in our country, mostly develops due to unbalanced nutrition and high calorie intake, obesity can also develop in many of the endocrinological diseases. Especially in diseases related to the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and pituitary gland, the probability of developing obesity is quite high. In such cases, after determining the treatment plan for the disease causing obesity, patients should be ensured to reach their ideal weight under the control of a dietitian. In cases with very advanced obesity (morbidly obese) and reaching life-threatening dimensions, bariatric surgery applications including operations such as stomach reduction and sleeve gastrectomy may be required.
 

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypertension, which is a very common disease, can occur due to many different reasons. One of them is hormonal disorders. The possibility of developing hypertension is very high, especially in endocrine diseases related to the adrenal glands and thyroid gland, and diabetes. If the treatments for endocrine disease do not have sufficient effect on blood pressure control, the use of antihypertensive drugs and a salt-free diet may be necessary.
 

Insulin Resistance Conditions
Insulin resistance is defined as the insensitivity of the body's cells to insulin hormone despite the presence of sufficient amount of insulin hormone in the blood. This causes an increase in blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) and, accordingly, an increase in the level of insulin hormone in the blood (hyperinsulinemia). Insulin resistance can be a health problem that can develop on its own, but in some cases, it is accompanied by diseases that bring insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome in women can be given as examples. The treatment of the disease is usually carried out in the form of drug applications within the framework of a plan to be recommended by endocrinology specialists. Additional treatment should be applied for secondary problems arising from high blood sugar for a long time.
 

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa (Eating Disorders)
Depending on the deterioration of body image, psychiatric diseases such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, which are called eating disorders, may develop. Hormonal disorders are present in almost all of the eating disorders that have symptoms such as extreme weakness, starvation with the desire to lose weight or eating very low calories, turning to excessively high-intensity exercises, using laxative drugs to prevent weight gain, and behavioral disorders such as voluntary vomiting. it starts. For this reason, multidisciplinary teams including endocrinology specialists should be formed together with all relevant medical branches in the treatment of these diseases.

Diabetes Disease
Diabetes is the disease most commonly diagnosed and treated in endocrinology clinics. Diabetes; It is an endocrine disease that develops in the form of high blood sugar and sugar in the urine because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced cannot be perceived by the body cells. The type that depends on insulin is called Type-1 diabetes, the type that develops with insulin resistance is called Type-2 diabetes, and the type that occurs during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes (gestational diabetes). In the treatment, it is aimed to keep the blood sugar level within normal ranges by using insulin hormone injections and oral antidiabetic drugs.

Thyroid Gland Diseases (Goiter, Thyroid nodules, Thyroid cancers, Thyroid inflammations)
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that has many important functions related to the functioning of the body, especially energy metabolism. Thyroid hormones are secreted from the thyroid gland located in the neck region. In diseases such as goiter, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancers and thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis) related to the thyroid gland, an increase or decrease in the amount of secretion of these hormones occurs. Since this situation can cause serious problems in the body, necessary drug treatments and surgical treatments must be performed.
 
Pituitary Gland Diseases
Growth retardation, dwarfism, acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, early menopause and development of thyroid diseases may occur in cases such as pituitary failure and tumor formations related to the pituitary gland, which is the secretory gland in which important hormones such as growth hormone, prolactin, ACTH, TSH, FSH, LH are synthesized. . For this reason, it should be aimed to prevent permanent disorders by treating or controlling pituitary gland diseases with appropriate drug treatments and surgical operations when necessary.

Adrenal Gland Diseases
Adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, aldosterone and sex hormones are synthesized from the adrenal glands (adrenal glands) located in the upper part of both kidneys. There may be an increase or decrease in the amount of these hormones due to benign or malignant tumors in the adrenal glands. As a result, diseases such as hyperaldosteronism, Cushing's syndrome, hyperandrogenism and pheochromocytoma develop. Treatment includes drug applications and surgical options for tumors in the adrenal gland, as well as hormonal treatments.
 
Excessive Hair (Hirsutism)
Although the problem of excessive hair growth usually occurs due to the excessive secretion of androgen, that is, the male hormone, it can also be seen as a result of diseases such as ovarian cancer or cysts, diseases of the adrenal glands, thyroid diseases, pituitary gland diseases. Apart from this, women living on the Mediterranean coast also experience excessive hair growth as a result of increased sensitivity in the hair follicles. Hirsutism is treated by eliminating the cause of the disease. If excessive hair growth occurs due to a hormonal reason, it is tried to be prevented with the help of drugs that maintain the hormonal balance, and if it has developed due to diseases such as ovarian cyst or cancer, it is tried to be prevented by treatment of these diseases. After the hormonal balance is achieved, methods such as laser epilation and needle epilation can be used to eliminate the hair growth problem.
 
Blood Fat Metabolism Diseases
The main cause of blood lipid metabolism diseases is the imbalance of the level of fat in the blood. High cholesterol and triglycerides can cause blood lipid metabolism diseases, as well as low good cholesterol, ie HDL, can cause these diseases. The imbalance of these lipids in the body is a risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Although the cause of such diseases is genetics, stress, overweight and unbalanced diet, the most effective treatment method is to adopt a balanced and healthy diet and an active and stress-free lifestyle.
 
Testicular and Ovary Hormonal Diseases
Insufficient secretion of sex hormones due to endocrinological diseases is called hypogonadism. The problem of hypogonadism can cause hormonal diseases in the testicles in men and in the ovaries in women. Accordingly, the inability to complete the development of the sexual organ in men, erection problems; In women, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome, ovulation disorders can be observed due to the ovaries not working as they should. Since all these conditions can lead to many health problems, especially infertility, hypogonadism patients should be supported with appropriate hormonal treatments.

Osteoporosis and Other Metabolic Bone Diseases
The common cause of bone diseases is that bones become more fragile due to reduced mass and weakening of their structure. Diseases known as osteoporosis in daily language occur due to the decrease in the density of the substances that make up the bone. The incidence of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases increases with age. The reason for this is that the minerals that feed the bone are not taken enough and bone destruction gains superiority over bone formation. Bone loss (osteoporosis) may be due to genetic predisposition, or it may occur as a result of a sedentary lifestyle and unbalanced diet. In the treatment process, osteoporosis is tried to be prevented by using bone-strengthening drugs as well as symptomatic treatment.
 

Infertility
Infertility is the situation in which a healthy pregnancy does not occur within one year, despite the regular intercourse of couples who want to have children. While it is necessary to wait for one year in young couples, it is recommended to start treatment without wasting time by waiting for one year in couples whose female age is over 35. Among the diseases that cause infertility in men, there are conditions such as low sperm count, duct obstructions, hormonal reasons, genetic diseases and varicocele, while in women, diseases such as irregular menstrual cycles, decreased egg reserves, high prolactin levels and early menopause can lead to infertility. The problem of infertility can be eliminated most of the time, as long as egg and sperm production continues, with the use of drugs necessary for the treatment of underlying diseases and surgical operations to be applied when necessary. In addition, in vitro fertilization and vaccination therapy are innovative methods that provide successful results in infertility patients.

If you have any of the above diseases or a different disease that falls under the specialty of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases clinics, you should immediately apply to a health institution and undergo the necessary examinations. By evaluating the examination findings and the results of the diagnostic tests together, you can start your treatment process immediately in line with the recommendations given by your specialist, and you can get treatment by eliminating the risk of encountering more serious problems in the future by ensuring that your disease is treated at an early stage.

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