5 symptoms for which you need to see an endocrinologist
The endocrine system plays an extremely important role in the human body, regulating almost all vital processes. The endocrine glands (endocrine glands) produce special biologically active substances - hormones that enter the bloodstream and are transferred to the recipient organs, or, as they are also called, target organs. Disorders of this mechanism are fraught with the development of serious chronic pathologies.
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Meanwhile, a deficiency or excess of any hormone does not always manifest itself as painful symptoms. People often confuse signs of malfunctions in the work of the endocrine system with mild malaise and begin to self-medicate or ignore health deterioration altogether, thereby starting the disease and reducing the chances of recovery. We decided to acquaint readers with the symptoms that require immediate consultation with an endocrinologist.
Sore throat
Unpleasant sensations when swallowing, burning or sore throat, changes in the timbre of the voice, most of us are accustomed to associate with colds or seasonal viral infections. If problems of this kind are not accompanied by a strong increase in body temperature, we often do not even go to the therapist, confident that we can cope with the ailment with the help of throat lozenges or gargles. But the regular occurrence of these symptoms may indicate a malfunction of the thyroid gland. For example, damage to the vocal cords and hoarseness of the voice sometimes develop as a result of hypothyroidism, and degeneration of the tissues of the gland with the appearance of nodules leads to a sore throat.
Active hair loss or rapid hair growth
The rate of hair growth on the head and body is closely related to hormonal levels. So, excessive facial hair and hair loss in the forehead in the fair sex indicates a malfunction of the female reproductive glands and a shift in the balance towards the prevalence of male hormones.
Signs of a pathological process should not be confused with a natural phenomenon - the daily loss of a small amount of hair.
A sharp change in body weight
Metabolic intensity is regulated by the well-coordinated work of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands and pancreas. When these organs function normally, a person's body weight remains constant or changes gradually over a long time. Rapid weight gain, sudden weight loss may indicate the presence of endocrine pathologies. If at the same time there are unjustified changes in appetite, a feeling of dry mouth and constant thirst, frequent urination, itching, burning and pain in the calves of the legs, visual acuity decreases - this complex of symptoms indicates a violation of carbohydrate metabolism and, possibly, the development of diabetes mellitus.
An overactive thyroid is usually accompanied by a dramatic increase in appetite combined with increased stool frequency and weight loss. Signs of hypothyroidism are puffiness and weight gain associated with a slowdown in metabolic processes.
Irritability
The human nervous system is sensitive to hormonal disruptions. Hormonal disorders can be manifested by irritability, excessive excitability, unexplained mood swings (sudden tearfulness, resentment or irrepressible, somewhat hysterical gaiety).
This very rarely becomes the reason for visits to the doctor: most people tend to explain emotional swings by overwork, stress, household or office troubles.
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Concentration problems
This is a common symptom of hypothyroidism. Patients complain about the inability to concentrate even on the usual tasks, difficulties with switching attention, slow perception of information. They have a feeling of constant drowsiness, reluctance to go about their daily activities, anxiety, fear of not being able to do something in combination with low efficiency.
Other symptoms
With endocrine disorders, there may be increased sweating, an unreasonable alternation of an increase and decrease in body temperature (throws it into a heat, then into a cold), headaches, heart rhythm disruptions. Women often complain of an unstable menstrual cycle. Symptoms are usually complex.
Signs of pathologies of the endocrine glands, as a rule, at first do not greatly reduce the patient's quality of life, rather they appear as a mild but obsessive malaise. It is dangerous to treat such a situation without proper attention: if the disease takes on a chronic form, it will be extremely difficult to recover. Therefore, having noticed the described signs, it is necessary to consult with an endocrinologist.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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