What is an endocrinologist and how can they help me?

Endocrinologists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions that affect the endocrine system. The endocrine system is the group of glands and organs that produce hormones. If you have diabetes, an endocrine condition that affects the pancreas, which produces the hormone insulin, you might see an endocrinologist as part of your care. But endocrinologists also see patients with thyroid conditions as well as children who are experiencing issues with their growth.

Below, Stanley Mathew, MD, a BJC Medical Group endocrinologist at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, shares more about the thyroid, symptoms of thyroid conditions and how endocrinologists diagnose such issues.

What is your thyroid and what role does it play in your overall health?

The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in the lower part of your neck, stores iodine and produces the hormone thyroxine.

Thyroxine controls metabolism, helps maintain body temperature, regulates heart function and heart rate, and helps with growth and development in children, among other things.

The thyroid also regulates the hormone calcitonin, which helps control calcium levels in the body.

What are the symptoms of thyroid issues?

Thyroid issues can be both structural and functional. Structural issues could be something such as an enlarged thyroid, also called a goiter, which causes difficulty breathing and swallowing. Another structural issue could be nodules on the thyroid, which might be cancerous.

Functional issues include your thyroid overproducing hormones — known as hyperthyroidism — or underproducing hormones, called hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include anxiety, heart palpitations, weight loss and feeling hot all the time. On the other hand, if you have hypothyroidism, you might experience fatigue, weight gain, constipation and dry skin.

When should you see an endocrinologist?

People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, a thyroid disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or osteoporosis may benefit from seeing an endocrinologist. We also help people with issues related to obesity and children with delayed puberty, growth-related issues and hyperthyroidism.

How do you diagnose conditions related to the thyroid?

Most functional thyroid issues can be diagnosed with blood tests. Occasionally, you might need a radioactive iodine scan.

To diagnose structural issues with the thyroid — such as an enlarged thyroid or nodules on the thyroid — typically we perform an ultrasound, which doesn’t emit radiation.

Stanley Mathew, MD, is a BJC Medical Group endocrinologist who sees patients at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Progress West Hospital.

To learn more about BJC HealthCare’s endocrinology program, visit bjc.org