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How does the endocrine system work? For more information on these many glands, talk to your endocrinologist today.

You don’t notice it, but the endocrine system works hard to regulate the hormones in your body. Though they’re not often thought of, these little hormones can impact your body in a big way. Without a properly functioning endocrine system, the human body cannot grow and develop as it should. If someone experiences hormone issues later in life, this fluctuation in hormones can result in a number of ill side effects.

Here are some of the primary components of what makes up the endocrine system and how this series of glands works hard to ensure you’re living a healthy, productive life.

What is the endocrine system?

The endocrine system is a series of glands that help control the regulation of the hormones in your body. These hormones serve as the chemical messengers within your body, telling which organs to do what via the bloodstream. A hormonal imbalance may adversely affect your quality of life and suggest the presence of an underlying illness. Should certain hormonal issues not be treated, other illnesses may develop as a result.

It’s the job of your endocrinologist to identify and diagnose any issues that might arise within your endocrine system. However, many endocrinologists will also aid in personalized weight loss programs by working in conjunction with the needs of your endocrine system.

What makes up the endocrine system?

Here are some of the major glands that make up the endocrine system. For more information about each gland, don’t hesitate to reach out to nutrition doctor on Manhattan’s upper east side.

• The pituitary gland: No larger than a pea, this cranial gland produces the hormones that control the majority of the endocrine system functioning. These hormones are then regulated by the hypothalamus.
• The hypothalamus: The hypothalamus primarily regulates your metabolism, satiety, and your body temperature. However, it also serves as the off and on switch for the pituitary gland, letting it know when it’s time to stop secreting certain hormones, such as your growth hormones. This is essential for young children who develop quickly in their first two years of life. Combined with good nutrition, these hormones help lead to better cognitive development and healthy growth.
• The thyroid: Your thyroid also controls your metabolism, helping your body regulate its blood pressure, digestion, and reproductive functioning.
• The adrenal glands: Your adrenal glands release corticosteroids which help balance your metabolism and the levels of salt in your body. The inner part of your adrenal glands also produces a hormone called catecholamines. These hormones are in charge of helping your body cope with physical stressors, secreting adrenaline and boosting your heart rate during times of excitement.
• The pineal body: This gland releases melatonin, the primary hormone which helps you to fall asleep. It plays a huge role in regulating your sleeping cycle.
• The reproductive organs: In males, androgens including testosterone are produced in the testes. These hormone levels express typical physical traits in males. In the female body, estrogen and progesterone is produced to form the primary female sex characteristics.
• The pancreas: The pancreas has two main functions in the body: to produce hormones and aid in digestion. Diabetes is the result of poor pancreatic functioning.

It is apparent that the endocrine system works hard to regulate the inner workings of your body. Without these many glands working together, we may experience a number of ill side effects. For more information on endocrine functioning, rely on quality endocrinologists in New York City.

The post Endocrinology 101: What Makes Up Your Endocrine System? appeared first on Philip Rabito, MD.

Sometimes, the best way to change a habit is to start a new one. If your goal is weight loss, a positive, proactive approach gets you on the right track. Identifying your current eating habits with a food journal can provide a road map to improving your overall health, losing weight, and feeling better about yourself.

Why Is Keeping a Food Journal Beneficial?

Keeping a food journal makes you more mindful of what you are eating (and drinking). Food journaling also helps your doctor understand your eating habits and identify things you can change to lose weight and feel better. It’s critical to be honest with yourself and your doctor, and to keep an accurate journal that gives the complete picture of your current eating habits. If you are wondering how to keep track of what you eat, food journaling is the answer.

A food journal tracks more than just what you eat; an effective food journal includes a record of the following:

• Everything you eat and drink each day: don’t forget to make note of condiments, sweeteners, cream or milk in your coffee, etc., and how much water you drink.
• How much you eat (portions): your journal should record the quantity of each item you eat or drink, measured in grams, ounces, teaspoons, cups, handfuls or sizes (like “a quarter-sized dollop of mayonnaise”)—whatever measure is convenient, memorable and reasonably accurate.
• When you eat : research continues to confirm that the time of day you eat matters, but the optimal time of day to eat or fast may be different for each person. This depends on individual work and exercise schedules, as well as “circadian rhythms.” The ebb and flow of energy throughout the day may reflect naturally fluctuating hormone levels in the body.
• How you’re feeling when you eat : are you bored, tired, sad, angry, frustrated, or elated when you eat? Emotions play a part in what and when you eat, and hormones play a part in emotions, as well as in physical conditions, such as energy levels.
• Where you are and what you are doing when you eat: provide more detail than just “at work” or “at home.” Are you sitting or standing? In the kitchen, break room, or at your desk? Are you eating on the train, while walking, or sitting on a park bench?
• Who you’re with when you eat: are you alone or with friends or family?

That’s a lot to track, but recording your eating identifies patterns you may not previously have recognized.

How to Keep a Food Journal

Your food journal can be a physical notebook, a spreadsheet on your computer, or an app on your phone. Choose the format you know you are most likely to stick with—you’ll need to keep your food journal with you all the time. You probably already keep your phone with you wherever you go, so an app might be a good choice. You’ll need a journal that makes it easy for you to record what you’re eating and drinking immediately , so you don’t forget or omit things. You could even take time-and-date stamped pictures with your phone of everything you are about to consume and make a note about where you are and how you’re feeling when you snap the photo. You can then record the information in your app or journal.

It shouldn’t surprise you that there are dozens of food journal or food diary apps. Choose one that is strictly for keeping a record of all the things noted above: what, how much, where, when, with whom you are eating, and how you’re feeling. There are many apps linked to particular diet or exercise programs, but you shouldn’t choose one of those without consulting your doctor first. Your doctor will want to get an accurate picture of how you eat now before they recommend any particular regimen.

Make Note of Patterns

After you’ve written in your food journal for a week or two, take a look back through it and note any patterns or things that surprise you. Maybe you thought you were eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, but you discover instead that you’re eating a fruit yogurt with lots of added sugar, or cooked veggies doused in heavy sauces.

You may also notice that you’re “night grazing:” eating well after dinner, before you go to bed. If you do this, notice what you recorded about how you were feeling—was it simply that you felt hungry? Or were you eating for comfort from some emotional upset, or stress about what will come at you at work the next day?

How often do you sit down at a table, with friends or family and few distractions, like screens? Do you find instead that you eat on the run a lot? If you grab a snack between meetings or on the train, notice what sort of snacks you reach for—salty chips, sugary pastries, or whole fruit? Notice how much water you drink per day.

By keeping a food journal, you can identify all your eating habits, for better or worse. You can work with your doctor on how to adjust those habits for optimum health and weight loss, if weight loss is your goal. Perhaps you’re interested in increased energy, better sleep (which also helps with weight loss), or improved athletic performance. When you learn food journaling, and how to keep track of what you eat, you are learning a new habit of conscious, mindful eating, which can move you toward making healthy changes. Food journaling forces you to pay attention to what and when you’re eating, and begin to figure out if you’re eating because of stress or boredom, instead of when you’re actually hungry.

A fast-paced lifestyle can wreak havoc with your eating habits. It’s up to you to take control. This includes consulting your doctor, who may recommend seeking an endocrinologist’s expert advice. An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in understanding the system of glands in the body that produce hormones. Hormones regulate a myriad of physical processes. An endocrinologist can specify medical tests to help you understand your personal hormonal profile, and identify hormonal factors affecting your health and weight that you might not have known about. They can figure out if a hormonal imbalance or malfunction of hormone-producing glands is a culprit in symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, or mood disorders.

An endocrinologist is an important partner for anyone who is serious about weight loss and improving their overall health. Dr. Philip Rabito is a top-rated endocrinologist in NYC who provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment for patients seeking help with weight loss, nutrition, and serious conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disorders.

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Everyone experiences the occasional sleepless night, tossing and turning over a problem at work or conflict in a personal relationship. But when stress becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health issues, including hormonal changes that contribute to weight gain. Continue reading this article to learn why stress leads to weight gain.

Fight, Flight, Fat?

Why does stress lead to weight gain?  There are several reasons why stress causes people to overeat. The so-called fight-or-flight response has much to do with it. “Fight or flight” is a physical reaction to a perceived threat: when we are under stress, the body releases adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) and cortisol (also known as the “stress hormone”). Adrenaline has the short-term effect of getting more energy to your large muscles and more oxygen to your lungs, to help with the fight or the flight. Adrenaline also temporarily reduces appetite.

Cortisol signals the body to release energy into the bloodstream. Adrenaline wears off, but cortisol tends to hang around longer, still encouraging your body to release the energy you may not use right away. But your body assumes you did use that adrenaline-supported burst of energy and thinks you need to replace it. Cortisol sends signals to the body to replenish supplies, stimulating appetite. So, even if you’re just sitting on the couch stewing about something that is causing you anxiety, your body thinks you fought the fight or fled the scene. It wants you to rebuild energy supplies, even if you didn’t use them. As a result of stress eating, you may experience cravings for fatty or sugary foods, and end up gaining weight, often stored as harmful belly fat.

Stress Can Cause New Fat Cells to Form

A recent study from Stanford University found that stress can affect mice at the microscopic level of cell formation. Chronic stress can disrupt the natural ebb and flow of another kind of hormone, glucocorticoid, causing the formation of new fat cells and the growth of existing ones. Ordinarily, glucocorticoid levels rise and fall with “circadian rhythms” throughout the day. But when chronic stress disrupts this “pulsing” of the hormone and keeps it at a constantly high level, more fat cells form. When the Stanford scientists exposed mice to a consistently high level of glucocorticoids, the rodents experienced significant weight gain. Interestingly, the mice didn’t gain weight if the level of the hormone rose and fell, even if it was excessively high at the top of the rise-and-fall cycle. This finding may have implications for how human beings respond to chronic stress at the molecular level.

Stress Can Disrupt Insulin Levels

As cortisol stimulates your appetite and leads you to crave high-calorie, fatty, and sugary foods, your body responds by sending out more insulin. This is the body’s way of dealing with the increase in your blood sugar level. This can cause a drop in blood sugar, which in turn causes more cravings. It’s a vicious cycle—more comfort food leads to more weight gain. Increased insulin over time can also cause you to develop insulin resistance, where cells stop responding appropriately, which is a symptom of type 2 diabetes.

When To See Your Doctor & How To Overcome Stress Eating

There are many reasons why stress may lead to weight gain. If you’re feeling chronically stressed out, and you notice that weight is starting to creep on and stay, consult an endocrinologist. You may discover that stress has contributed to hormonal changes which, in turn, promote weight gain. Dr. Philip Rabito is a top endocrinologist in NYC who can create a personalized plan for you to help manage weight and get your body back in balance.

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Much of a child’s growth is hormone-mediated. When you want to learn more about your child’s health rely on an endocrinologist you can trust.

What Is a Pediatric Endocrinologist?

Pediatric endocrinologists are medical practitioners who specialize in the study of the endocrine system in children. The endocrine system consists of a wide array of glands that produce hormones, many of which control growth and development in children.

The reasons why your child needs to visit a pediatric endocrinologist may vary. But your pediatrician will make the necessary recommendations when the need gets identified. Here’s why you might take your child to visit a pediatric endocrinologist:

Fast Growth (Gigantism) or Slow Growth (Short Stature)

In the first year, a child grows by an estimated 12 inches, and by at least five more inches by the end of their second year. After that, children often grow by 2 to 3 inches every year until they reach puberty. Slight lulls or spurts of increased growth are considered normal.

But if your child experiences no growth for at least 10 months within the stated growth period, you should get a referral to visit an endocrinologist. The child endocrinologist will test for deficiencies or excesses of growth hormones produced by the pituitary gland.

Body Odor In First Grade and Precocious Puberty

Children shouldn’t have a strong body odor, but when it occurs, it’s often a result of the premature activation of the adrenal glands. The odor problem doesn’t need treatment, but it’s still prudent to see a pediatric endocrinologist who should check whether it’s also a case of precocious or early puberty. Precocious puberty often involves the activation of the sex glands and the adrenal gland.

If signs of any of these problems show up at your pediatrician’s assessment, then it’s time to schedule a visit to a pediatric endocrinologist.

Identified Overweight, Obese, or Underweight Conditions

Rapid weight gain in children is another reason why a child would need to see an endocrinologist. If your child’s growth is in the top percentile, then the child is most likely overweight. If this is the case, then you should talk to your pediatrician about nutrition and personalized weight loss. If the child continues gaining weight, however, then you should see a pediatric endocrinologist. This specialist should check for possible indicators of hypothyroidism, which can result in significant weight gain.

If your child’s growth seems stunted and their growth is in the low percentiles, then you should first check whether they are a picky eater. If the child is taking any drugs, such as stimulants for hyperactivity disorders, then know that such drugs may be responsible for the observed appetite suppression and poor weight gain and other underweight child symptoms. But if this isn’t the case, then you should see a pediatric endocrinologist who will check whether your child has hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a possible cause of weight loss.

Frequent Urination and a Constant Feeling of Thirst

Too much thirst and frequent urination are indicators of juvenile diabetes. If your child has these signs and accompanying symptoms of weight loss, blurry vision, excessive hunger, and yeast infections, then you should see a child endocrinologist who should check for juvenile diabetes.

Pubertal Gynecomastia (PG)

PG occurs in at least 65% of adolescent boys. Gynecomastia causes the benign overgrowth of the male breasts. Gynecomastia is often caused by the proliferation of glandular components. It results from the imbalance of free estrogens and androgens. Any enlargement of male breasts in your young boy should be a sign that you need to see a pediatric endocrinologist.

Takeaway:

Much of a child’s growth is hormone-mediated. Proper nutrition also plays a crucial role in growth, but certain hormonal problems could be the answer to unexpected symptoms. As such, you should always see a pediatric endocrinologist whenever your child is experiencing abnormal growth or lack of it.

The post When Should Your Child Visit a Pediatric Endocrinologist? appeared first on Philip Rabito, MD.

Managing diseases, like diabetes and other conditions related to the endocrine system, needs a good doctor-patient relationship. It will make a huge difference in managing your condition if you find an endocrinologist you feel comfortable with. 

The human body is made up of various systems, and one such system is the endocrine system. This system contains glands that are in charge of producing hormones. These glands can be compromised, and that is where an endocrinologist comes in.

When you have been diagnosed with any conditions related to your endocrine system, your primary care physician may not be able to give you the best care and support that you need. Seeing a specialist might be the best choice.

  Who Is an Endocrinologist?

Simply put, an endocrinologist is a trained specialist in any disorders of the endocrine system. They diagnose and help to manage diseases that affect your body’s ability to produce the required amount of hormones.

Endocrinologists treat various conditions like:

• Diabetes

• Osteoporosis

• Thyroid diseases

• Menopause

• Excessive or low production of hormones

• And more

Their basic aim is to restore hormone balance in your system.

  How to Find the Best Endocrinologist

Selecting the right endocrinologist is quite important. Remember, it is not just about finding the best specialist in your area but also having a physician who you are most comfortable with.

Here are six tips to help you find the right specialist.

  1. Get Referrals

The first step in finding an endocrinologist is to ask for referrals from your primary care physician, friends, family, and any other medical practitioners. If they had a good or bad experience with the specialist, they will be more than happy to share it with you.

  2. Take a Look at Their Credentials

When looking to find an endocrinologist in Manhattan, NY, it is vital to find out if they have the right certification. This is what will let you know if they have the skills and training needed in endocrinology.

While at it, check for any history of malpractice claims and disciplinary actions. This information is available to the public on state websites and Healthgrades.com.

  3. Consider Their Experience

You want a doctor with enough experience in the field. This is because they have handled several cases like yours and know exactly how to approach it and the best treatment to give you.

Doing a little research is another tip for finding the highest rated endocrinologist. For instance, if you need to have a procedure done, get to know how many similar procedures they have performed, the number of complications and fatalities if any.

  4. Assess Their Style of Communication

During your first consultation with an endocrinologist, you need to evaluate how they communicate and if you are comfortable talking to them.

Do they respond positively to your question and answer in a way that you can understand? Do they give you more information without you having to ask? If you are not satisfied with their response or feel rushed, then get one who shows the right amount of interest that you want.

  5. Read Previous Patients Reviews

You can be surprised at how much information you can get concerning a doctor just by reading the reviews given by their previous patients. You want an endocrinologist Upper East Side NYC residents trust.

When choosing an endocrinologist, you should read past reviews.  Reviews will let you know how the doctor handles their patients and how much their patients trust them.

  6. Know Your Health Insurance Cover Limit

Your health insurance policy also plays a big role when looking for the right endocrinologist on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Know if you will need to go back to your pocket to cover the cost of your treatment and if your endocrinologist is comfortable with that plan.

Do not compromise on quality healthcare because of your insurance limit.

  Consider These Tips When Looking For an Endocrinologist

Managing diseases like diabetes and other conditions related to the endocrine system, needs a good doctor-patient relationship. An endocrinologist you are most comfortable with will make a huge difference in managing your condition.

If you are looking for an endocrinologist in New York, visit our website and check out our services. We provide quality healthcare for all. Do not hesitate to contact us, we will promptly book an appointment for you.

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Understanding these links can help you lose weight. For more information on the endocrine system and weight gain, don’t hesitate to reach out to the weight loss doctor you can trust: Dr. Philip Rabito.

The human body is made up of a complex set of interconnected systems. Hormones are one of the primary ways that these systems communicate with one another. The human body produces over 50 different types of hormones that perform a diverse array of functions, including controlling blood sugar levels, signaling appetite, and regulating metabolism. Because of these and other functions, personalized weight loss programs often include diagnosis and treatment by an endocrinologist of any underlying hormone imbalances. In this respect, it is fair to describe many endocrinologists as weight loss doctors.

Here are four links between the endocrine system and weight gain that a weight loss doctor may utilize during a personalized weight loss program:

Leptin

Leptin is a hormone that is produced by fat cells in adipose tissue. Adipose tissue is the connective tissue that we associated with “fat.” Adipose tissue serves some important functions, such as insulation, cushioning the body and organs, and storing energy. However, too much adipose tissue relative to your body structure is defined as obesity. In other words, obesity is not about weight; a person can be “heavy” for her height simply because she is muscular. Rather, obesity is about excess adipose tissue for a body structure.

Leptin relates to obesity in three ways.

1. Since fat cells produce leptin, leptin is sensed by the body as “satiety” or the opposite of hunger. This makes sense, since the more fat cells adipose tissues have, the more leptin is produced and the less fuel the body needs to take in. Therefore, more fat cells should reduce appetite.
2. However, this is not what happens. As a body increases its stores of fat cells, the brain begins to “ignore” leptin. More particularly, the body becomes accustomed to higher leptin levels and stops interpreting the hormone as signaling satiety. As a result of this leptin resistance, the obese body feels hungry all the time.
3. Leptin is also responsible for the failure of dieting. Reducing food intake causes leptin levels to fall. Since the body becomes accustomed to high leptin levels, this fall is interpreted by the body as starvation, causing you to overeat.

Because of its role in hunger and satiety, leptin is of high interest to weight loss doctors.

Insulin

Insulin is produced by the pancreas in response to blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are high, the pancreas signals the liver and muscles to remove glucose from the blood. Glucose removed by the liver is stored in the liver or used to build fat cells.

When the intake of sugar is consistently high, this causes the pancreas to secrete high levels of insulin. As with leptin, the body grows accustomed to these high levels of insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. Eventually, the pancreas burns out from the overproduction of insulin and its ability to produce insulin is diminished or lost. This condition is known as type II diabetes.

Weight loss doctors are very wary of insulin and blood sugar levels since they can lead to this life-threatening condition.

Testosterone and Estrogen

You may have noticed that women and men are typically built differently. The hormone that tells female bodies to build fat cells and place them around their hips, buttocks, and thighs is estrogen.

In male bodies, testosterone plays a more complicated role. Testosterone promotes belly fat and muscle building. When testosterone levels are too high or too low, the body can be more prone to developing belly fat. This is the reason that men are prone to developing a potbelly as they age and testosterone levels drop.

An imbalance in estrogen or testosterone can cause fat accumulation and, as such, is an issue that can be addressed by a weight loss doctor when customizing a weight loss plan.

Growth Hormone

Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. It is responsible for signaling the body to grow bone and muscle tissue. Growth hormone also helps the body regulate metabolism.

The reasons that human growth hormone is susceptible to abuse by athletes are the same reasons an imbalance can affect weight gain. In particular, growth hormone:

• Stimulates muscles to take in protein
• Enhances the use of fat to supply the body with energy

There are many more links between the endocrine system and weight gain. Understanding these links can help you lose weight. For more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Philip Rabito. 

The post 4 Ways the Endocrine System Interacts With Body Weight appeared first on Philip Rabito, MD.

Sugar has a complex role in the body, and the body has an equally complex system for monitoring and regulating its use.

Sugar has received a lot of press recently and the press is not good. While the body needs some sugar to fuel its biochemical processes, the range of blood sugar levels the body requires is quite narrow. The endocrine system is responsible for regulating the amount of sugar from the food we eat and into the bloodstream. When too much sugar is consumed, or the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels is compromised, serious medical problems can result. Here are five facts to understand about sugar and the endocrine system:

Dietary Sugar
Although the body needs sugar, it does not need added sugar. Rather, the body can extract the sugars it needs from many sources of nutrition, such as legumes, starchy vegetables, fruits, and grains. Endocrinologists recommend that sugar only make up 10% of your total daily energy intake.

When carbohydrates are eaten, they are broken down into simple sugars by enzymes secreted by the pancreas. These simple sugars, including glucose, fructose, and galactose, are transported to the liver. Here, they can be stored as glycogen, used to produce fat cells, or released into the bloodstream for energy. Glucose’s role in producing fat cells is one reason sugar intake is usually controlled as part of any personalized weight loss program.

Insulin
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. When the pancreas senses the glucose levels in the blood have risen, such as after a meal, it secretes insulin to regulate sugar levels.

The liver responds to insulin by absorbing glucose from the blood. As discussed above, the liver can convert this glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver or use the glucose to produce cholesterol or fatty acids that are stored in fat cells.

When the pancreas detects a drop in glucose levels in the bloodstream, the pancreas stops secreting insulin. This signals the liver to stop absorbing glucose from the blood.

Glucagon
Glucagon is a hormone that is also produced by the pancreas. When the pancreas senses the glucose levels in the blood have fallen too low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. This drop in glucose levels can occur while exercising, during sleep, or other times when the body is using glucose from the bloodstream to fuel its processes but is not taking in glucose through digestion.

Glucagon has the opposite effect of insulin. It signals the liver to convert glycogen stored in the liver back into glucose. This glucose is released by the liver into the bloodstream. The increase in glucose level in the bloodstream is sensed by the pancreas, which ceases the production of glucagon.

Diabetes
There are two disorders of the endocrine system that affect blood sugar: diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Diabetes takes two different forms. Type I diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas and destroys its ability to produce and secrete insulin. As a result, the liver is not signaled to absorb glucose from the blood even when glucose levels rise. The increase in blood sugar levels can cause many health problems. Symptoms of Type I diabetes can include:

• Frequent urination
• Increase in hunger and thirst
• Blurry vision
• Numbness or tingling in extremities
• Slow healing
• Endocrinologists typically diagnose Type I diabetes in children and young adults.

Type II diabetes occurs when the muscle, fat, and liver cells develop a resistance to insulin. As a result, the cells miss the signal to absorb glucose from the bloodstream and glucose levels rise. The pancreas increases the amount of insulin produced to attempt to get a signal through to the cells, but the insulin-producing cells eventually “burn out” from overproduction. Symptoms of Type II diabetes are similar to those of Type I diabetes, but endocrinologists typically diagnose Type II diabetes in middle-aged and older adults.

Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which glucose levels drop below the normal level. Hypoglycemia is usually not a disease in itself, like diabetes. Rather, hypoglycemia occurs as a symptom of other health problems. For example, endocrinologists often find hypoglycemia in diabetes patients whose dosage of insulin or other diabetes medications are too high. Hypoglycemia can also result from diseases of the pancreas, liver, or kidneys, as well as eating disorders.

Sugar has a complex role in the body, and the body has an equally complex system for monitoring and regulating its use. For more information on sugars and your endocrine system, rely on Philip Rabito today.

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The endocrine system of the human body produces and distributes many types of hormones. These hormones regulate metabolism, fertility and sex drive, growth and development, heart rate, blood pressure, sleep, and even the production of other hormones. Since hormones regulate metabolism, hormone imbalances can trigger weight gain or weight loss. Thus, correcting hormone imbalances can aid in a personalized weight loss program.

One hormone that is often misunderstood is testosterone. Here are answers to five frequently asked questions about testosterone:

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testes in males, the ovaries in females, and the adrenal glands of both genders. In men, testosterone is regulated by two hormones. The gonadotrophin-releasing hormone is produced by the hypothalamus. In response, the pituitary gland produces the luteinising hormone which — along with a follicle-stimulating hormone — stimulates the production of testosterone. The regulatory process is a “negative feedback” process, as an increase in the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone causes the production of testosterone to fall and an increase in testosterone causes the production of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone to fall.

In men, a portion of testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone. Endocrinologists believe dihydrotestosterone is at least partly responsible for triggering puberty since levels of dihydrotestosterone are low until puberty begins. Dihydrotestosterone is responsible for many of the “male” features that emerge during puberty.

In women, the majority of testosterone is converted into estradiol which, along with estrone and oestriol, makes up the three naturally occurring estrogens. Estradiol is the most potent of the three and is essential to female reproduction.

What Does Testosterone Do?

In men, testosterone signals the body to grow facial and body hair, develop “male” facial features, and produce sperm. In women, the ovaries convert testosterone into estrogen that plays an essential role in ovulation and implantation. In both men and women, testosterone signals the body to build and maintain muscle mass, bone density, and blood cells.

What are the Symptoms of High Levels of Testosterone?

Children with high levels of testosterone may experience a false growth spurt and early onset of puberty. Men with high levels of testosterone are rare and difficult to diagnose. However, men with high levels of synthetic testosterone due to the use of anabolic steroids can experience hair loss, acne, aggression, infertility, and decreased sex drive. Women with high levels of testosterone may experience acne, growth of facial hair and body hair, increased muscle mass, and a deepened voice.

What are the Symptoms of Low Levels of Testosterone?

Hormone levels naturally decrease around age 50. For example, most women begin to feel the effects of menopause at about the age of 51. Similarly, testosterone levels naturally and gradually decrease in men at this age. In addition to age, other risk factors for low testosterone include:

• Genetic disease
• Stress
• Obesity
• Injury, infection, or cancer of the testes
• Certain medications, such as hormones and corticosteroids
• Chemotherapy or radiation treatment
• Alcoholism

The natural decline in testosterone with age is not necessarily a cause for concern. However, testosterone levels that are too low may be diagnosed as hypogonadism. Men with hypogonadism can experience:

• Irregular sleep
• Decreased sex drive
• Infertility
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Muscle loss or weakness
• Depression
• Weight gain

Low levels of testosterone have also been linked to osteoporosis. Endocrinologists diagnose hypogonadism by testing levels of testosterone and determining the seriousness of any symptoms.

How is Low Testosterone Treated?

Endocrinologists are careful in diagnosing hypogonadism, partly because of the natural decrease in testosterone in men over 50 and partly because of the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy. Typically, testosterone levels are tested at least two times on different days because testosterone levels can fluctuate.

After an endocrinologist diagnoses hypogonadism, they may prescribe hormone replacement. For young men who have been diagnosed with hypogonadism relating to fertility, the endocrinologist may give them injections of gonadotrophin. Gonadotrophin is the hormone produced by the hypothalamus to trigger testosterone production. Over time, gonadotrophin can increase testosterone levels and raise sperm count.

In other cases, doctors may implant testosterone pellets. These pellets slowly release testosterone into the body. These pellets are replaced about every three to four months.

The risks associated with hormone replacement therapy include breast growth and an increase in red blood cells. The most serious risk, particularly in older patients, is that testosterone replacement may cause an enlarged prostate.

In sum, testosterone is more than just a punchline. Testosterone is an essential hormone for health in both men and women.

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If you’ve ever wondered about the practice of endocrinology, here’s what you can expect from your trusted endocrinologist.

In 1923, scientists Frederick Banting and John Macleod won the Nobel Peace Prize for discovering insulin, the hormone famous for regulating blood sugar.

This was one of the earliest discoveries in the field of endocrinology, the “branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions known as hormones.”

Basically, endocrinologists in NYC are doctors that specialize in all things related to hormones and hormone glands. Endocrinologists diagnose and treat hormone problems, which can involve anything from reproductive health to weight loss.

Hormones are responsible for regulating respiration, metabolism, growth, reproduction, movement, and sensory perception. With so bodily functions to be responsible for, you can imagine how diverse complications that endocrinologists have to deal with can be.

In all, humans have more than 50 different hormones. Even if only a very small amount of a hormone exists in the body, it can still have a massive effect on the body’s health and function.

About the Endocrine System

The endocrine system comprises of several glands, placed in different locations around the body, which all release hormones to control bodily functions.

When a hormone leaves its gland, it will enter the bloodstream, where it is transported to organs and tissues all over the body.

The following are the major glands in the endocrine system that the endocrinologist on Manhattan’s upper east side has to be familiar with.

Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands can be found just above the kidneys. Adrenal glands are divided into two distinct regions—the right gland is shaped like a triangle, and the left gland is shaped like a crescent.

Adrenal glands secrete the following hormones:

• Corticosteroids: natural steroids involved with stress response, inflammation, and the immune system, among others.
• Catecholamines: including epinephrine and norepinephrine—which release in response to stress.
• Aldosterone: a hormone affecting kidney function.
• Androgens: male sex hormones like testosterone.

Hypothalamus

This is the gland that controls such involuntary functions as respiration, appetite, heart rate, sleep, and temperature. It can be found on top of the brain stem, just below the thalamus.

The hypothalamus links together the nervous system with the endocrine system, using the pituitary gland that’s connected to it.

Ovaries and Testicles

In females, the ovaries are found on both sides of the uterus. They are responsible for producing the hormones progesterone and estrogen. These are the hormones that allow for sexual development, mensuration, and fertility.

In males, the testicles are inside the scrotum, just below the penis. They produce androgens, including testosterone. Androgens promote sexual development, from facial hair to sperm cell growth and libido.

Pancreas

The pancreas is located in the abdomen. It’s both a gland in the endocrine system and also a digestive organ. It produces the following hormones:

• Insulin—which is integral for fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
• Somatostatin—which controls endocrine and nervous system functions, as well as the secretion of several different hormones.
• Glucagon—this hormone is a peptide, which increases blood glucose levels if it falls too low.
• Pancreatic polypeptide—which helps to regulate the secretion of pancreas substances.

Parathyroid Glands

These are small glands in the neck, which produce the parathyroid hormone, responsible for calcium and phosphate levels in the blood. Only when these chemicals are kept at the appropriate levels can muscles and nerves function effectively and safely.

Pineal Gland

This small gland, found deep inside the brain, secretes melatonin, thus helping to control sleep patterns, as well as reproductive hormone levels.

Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is attached to the hypothalamus. It can be called the “main endocrine master gland,” because the hormones it secrets control the functions of all the other glands throughout the body. It also regulates physical growth and other primary bodily functions.

Thymus Gland

This gland is located underneath the breastbone (or sternum). T lymphocytes, which is a kind of immune cells, mature and multiply in the thymus early on in life. The gland shrinks after puberty.

The thymus gland holds an important role in immune system function, protecting against infection and disease.

Thyroid

The thyroid produces hormones that regulate blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism. It also controls the body’s reactions to the other hormones. It can be found below the Adam’s apple.

The two primary hormones produced by the thyroid are triiodothyronine and thyroxine. It uses iodine to formulate them.

With so many hormones, controlling so many aspects of the body’s function and development, you can see why even a little problem in the endocrine system can wreak havoc on one’s health.

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