Endocrinology is a branch of medicine and biology that focuses on the endocrine system, the collection of glands that produce hormones. Hormones are chemical substances that regulate various bodily functions, including metabolism, growth, development, tissue function, and mood. The endocrine system includes glands like the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, and gonads (ovaries and testes), among others.

Endocrinologists, the medical doctors specialized in this field, diagnose and treat disorders related to hormonal imbalances and problems with these glands. Common conditions they address include diabetes, thyroid diseases, metabolic disorders, over or underproduction of hormones, menopause, osteoporosis, hypertension, and disorders of the reproductive system.

Endocrinology also intersects with many other fields of medicine, given the broad influence of hormones on the body’s functions. Advances in endocrinology have led to improved treatments for many chronic conditions, enhancing both the quality of life and longevity for patients with hormonal disorders