Definition of Endocrinology

Endocrinology: The study of hormones, their receptors, the intracellular signalling pathways they invoke, and the diseases and conditions associated with them.

A medical endocrinologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and management of hormonal conditions. Endocrinologists usually have background training in one of a number of different medical fields such as pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and oncology. (All medical endocrinologists have an M.D. or an analogous medical degree and some also have a Ph.D. or another advanced science degree.)

In the practice of medicine, endocrinology is often paired with the study of diabetes and metabolism. Another common pairing of endocrinology is with reproductive medicine and infertility. See also: Neuroendocrinology.