Endocrinology (Diabetes & Hormones)

The study of the endocrine system is what we call as endocrinology. The endocrine system comprises of secretary glands, such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and others, that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions. Hormones are responsible for your growth and development, metabolism, mood, sexual function and reproduction, amongst others. An unhealthy endocrine system leading to the slightest hormone imbalance (hormone-related conditions) may trigger noticeable symptoms of your body depending on which hormonal imbalance you experience. 

In this field of specialty, there are a range of subspecialities whereby endocrinologists may specialize in, including diabetes and metabolism, thyroid disease, endocrine oncology, neuroendocrinology, paediatric endocrinology, gender affirmation, reproductive endocrinology and endocrinology nuclear medicine. An endocrinologist work to diagnose, manage and treat conditions related to hormones that affect your endocrine system.

Diabetes is one of the most common conditions related to hormonal imbalance in the body. In Malaysia, based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, 18.3% of the adult population suffer from diabetes. Digging a little deeper, diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels due to abnormality in the insulin production or utilization which leads to increased blood sugar level. There are several types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 diabetes
1. Chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin leading to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
2. Type 2 diabetes
1. Chronic condition that may be hereditary where the body do not utilize the insulin produced properly, hence not allowing sugar to be converted to energy 
3. Gestational diabetes
1. High blood sugar level developed during pregnancy, temporary which normally goes away after birth

Diabetes can affect major organs including the heart, blood vessels, nerves and kidneys if not managed properly over time. This leads to serious health problems such as heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney damage, vision loss, skin conditions (prone to bacterial and fungal infections), and slow healing. Similarly, hormonal imbalances or endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease or adrenal gland disorders can cause a range of symptoms and health problems.

Ordinarily, in diagnosing if your body is experiencing any hormonal imbalance, beyond understanding your medical history and physical examination, your endocrinologist shall also check your hormone levels or blood sugar levels through blood tests, glucose tolerance test and/or insulin tolerance test. Regular medical check-ups help in the early diagnosis of diabetes or other hormonal conditions that allows you to manage and treat the conditions, minimizing the risk of developing into major health complications.

Our endocrinologists can help you in caring and managing your hormone-related conditions catered to each individual.

At Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, we emphasize on educating patients and the public about endocrine health and promoting preventive measures to maintain hormonal balance and overall well-being.