Endocrinology

Endocrinology - General Practice the Integrative Approach Series. Endocrine problems are important in the general practice setting, for a range of reasons. First, they are common enough to occur regularly, either as new cases or in patients managing a chronic illness. Secondly, they can cause serious and life-threatening complications if not diagnosed and treated. Thirdly, they often present a challenging diagnostic problem because of their often slow onset and their capacity to produce non-specific symptoms such as weakness, tiredness or weight change, particularly in the early stages. This chapter explores the endocrinological disorders including Pituitary disorders, Thyroid disorders and Adrenal gland disorders that are important for a GP to know about and to manage. The common model of managing endocrine problems is as a shared-care model with an endocrinologist.