Endocrinologists treat diseases affecting the metabolism of the human body. These include conditions disrupting the normal function of the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, pineal, thymus, and gonadal glands, and the pancreas, diseases that change the way the body regulates its internal environment. Each of these glands or organs secretes hormones that have effects on the way the body appears, acts, and maintains itself. The repercusions of disease in any of these organs are serious, leading to sometimes severe symptoms of weight loss, weight gain, excess calcium, anxiety, depression, heat intolerance, cold intolerance, and combinations of these symptoms. Endocrinologists don't just treat thyroid conditions, however.
Hormones act by accelerating, slowing, or stabilizing enzyme activity in target cells.
Thus, they control everything from the speed with which the body burns calories to the rhythms of reproduction. Since the amount of hormone needed by the body is within a very tight range of values, any disruption in the body's ability to regulate hormone production can lead to dramatic symptoms. Endocrinologists help patients get their hormonal levels back in balance. At the UNC Endocrine Clinic, the doctors specialize in the treatment of general endocrine disorders other than diabetes. All diabetic patients are referred to the Diabetes Care Center .