What Types of Treatment Do Pediatric Endocrinologists Provide ?
Pediatric endocrinologists diagnose, treat, and manage hormonal disorders including the following:
- Growth problems, such as short stature.
- Early or delayed puberty.
- Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter).
- Underactive or overactive thyroid gland.
- Pituitary gland hypo/hyper function.
- Adrenal gland hypo/hyper function.
- Ambiguous genitals/intersex.
- Ovarian and testicular dysfunction.
- Diabetes.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Obesity.
- Problems with Vitamin D (rickets, hypocalcemia).
What to Expect at the Pediatric Endocrinologist Appointment
The first pediatric endocrinologist appointment for your child is mostly to get information. The doctor will review your child’s medical history and ask you important questions regarding medical conditions in your family. Your child may go through some diagnostic tests, like bloodwork and X-rays.
Once a diagnosis is established, the doctor, you, and often your child will meet to discuss the diagnosis and the possible treatments. If your child requires surgery or needs to see another specialist, the doctor will make the referral at that time.
In the following appointments, your child will undergo treatment to address the condition. These may include :
- Medication : This can include vitamins, hormonal therapy treatments, medication for diabetes, cancer chemotherapies, and others
- Counseling : This can be anything from planning a course of action to discussing behavior and lifestyle changes for patients
- Exercise : Includes both cardiovascular (heart-related) and weight-bearing exercises
- Radiation : This can include radiation therapy or radioactive isotopes, or it can mean surgery
- Diet : May include nutrition education, prescribed eating plans, or special weight-focused medication or treatments
- Referral for surgery : This could include surgery for: weight loss, endocrine gland removal (full or partial removal), and cancerous and noncancerous tumor removal
