If you would enjoy being a medical sleuth who diagnoses, treats and helps patients manage gland diseases and disorders, a career as an endocrinologist may be the one for you.
What They Do
Endocrinologists are physicians who are trained to diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, testes, and pancreas, which together make up the endocrine system. Each organ or gland secretes a specific hormone that coordinates the body's metabolism, respiration, growth, development and reproduction. Diseases and disorders that endocrinologists treat include diabetes, osteoporosis, hypertension, hypothyroidism, gigantism, cholesterol disorders, endocrine gland cancers, hormone imbalances and infertility. Reproductive endocrinologists treat menopause, premenstrual symptoms, infertility and other reproductive organs disorders.
Endocrinologists counsel patients on diet, hygiene and management of their condition. Many also perform basic research on gland behavior or clinical research to discover new treatments. Some hold teaching positions. Endocrinologists can advance by starting their own practice or through promotions to supervisory and managerial roles in universities and hospitals.
Qualifications
Endocrinologists must obtain a medical degree from an accredited school and then spend 3 to 4 years in a residency in internal medicine, pediatrics or gynecology, plus a 2- to 3-year fellowship in adult, pediatric or reproductive endocrinology. They must complete all of their education and training and obtain a state license before they can practice unsupervised.
The Demand
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor, demand for physicians in general is predicted to grow faster than the average for all occupations due to an increasing aging population and demand for physician services. The need for endocrinologists will grow because of the increasing number of individuals who are obese and/or have diabetes.
According to payscale.com, the median salary range of endocrinologists who work in hospitals is between $98,254 and $154,205, and the median salary range of endocrinologists who work in private practice is between $102,000 and $178,500.
What They Do
Endocrinologists counsel patients on diet, hygiene and management of their condition. Many also perform basic research on gland behavior or clinical research to discover new treatments. Some hold teaching positions. Endocrinologists can advance by starting their own practice or through promotions to supervisory and managerial roles in universities and hospitals.
Qualifications
Endocrinologists must obtain a medical degree from an accredited school and then spend 3 to 4 years in a residency in internal medicine, pediatrics or gynecology, plus a 2- to 3-year fellowship in adult, pediatric or reproductive endocrinology. They must complete all of their education and training and obtain a state license before they can practice unsupervised.
The Demand
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor, demand for physicians in general is predicted to grow faster than the average for all occupations due to an increasing aging population and demand for physician services. The need for endocrinologists will grow because of the increasing number of individuals who are obese and/or have diabetes.
According to payscale.com, the median salary range of endocrinologists who work in hospitals is between $98,254 and $154,205, and the median salary range of endocrinologists who work in private practice is between $102,000 and $178,500.
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