Endocrine & Metabolic
Endocrine and metabolic care (endocrinology) treats disorders of the hormone-producing glands and the body's metabolism — including diabetes, thyroid disease, obesity, adrenal and pituitary disorders, and bone conditions such as osteoporosis. Care combines blood and imaging tests to diagnose, and medication, lifestyle programs, hormone therapy and, where needed, surgery to treat.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate metabolism, growth, mood, reproduction and much more. When hormone-producing glands — such as the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal and pituitary glands — over- or under-function, the effects can be felt throughout the body. Endocrine and metabolic disorders are common, with diabetes and thyroid disease among the most frequent worldwide.
Many endocrine conditions are managed effectively over the long term with medication, lifestyle measures and careful monitoring. Diabetes care, for example, focuses on controlling blood sugar and screening for complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. Obesity and its metabolic effects can be addressed through structured programs and, in selected cases, bariatric and metabolic surgery.
International patients with diabetes or thyroid disease often benefit from remote consultations, allowing their management plan to be reviewed and adjusted over time, while those considering metabolic surgery receive a clear plan and timeline before travel.
Common conditions we treat
Adrenal & pituitary disorders
Hormone imbalances arising from the adrenal or pituitary glands, sometimes caused by benign tumors.
Thyroid & endocrine cancers
Cancers of the thyroid and other endocrine glands, often highly treatable with surgery and targeted treatment.
Symptoms
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Persistent fatigue or weakness
- Heat or cold intolerance
- A lump or swelling in the neck (thyroid)
- Changes in heart rate, mood or sleep
- Slow-healing wounds or frequent infections
- Blurred vision or numbness in the hands and feet
- Changes in appetite, hair or skin
When to seek care
Seek urgent care for very high or very low blood sugar with confusion, drowsiness or fainting, severe dehydration, or a rapidly enlarging neck lump with breathing difficulty — these can signal a metabolic or endocrine emergency.
How we diagnose
- Blood glucose and HbA1c testing
- Thyroid function and other hormone blood tests
- Thyroid and abdominal ultrasound
- Bone density (DEXA) scan
- CT or MRI for adrenal and pituitary glands
- Fine-needle biopsy of thyroid nodules
How we treat it
Treatment is tailored to your diagnosis. Explore the procedures we offer for this area:
Where you'll be treated
Care for this area is led by our Diabetes Center.
Learn more
Plain-language, provider-reviewed articles on tests, procedures and symptoms in our Health Library.
Endocrine & Metabolic — frequently asked questions
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body makes little or no insulin and requires lifelong insulin treatment, usually appearing earlier in life. Type 2 diabetes, far more common, develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin, is strongly linked to lifestyle and genetics, and is managed with diet, medication and sometimes insulin.
Management focuses on controlling blood sugar through medication, nutrition, activity and monitoring, alongside managing blood pressure and cholesterol. Regular screening of the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart detects complications early, when they are most treatable. A personalized plan and education are central.
Most thyroid nodules are benign and cause no problems. However, because a small proportion can be cancerous, nodules are assessed with ultrasound and, when needed, a fine-needle biopsy. Treatment ranges from monitoring to medication or surgery, depending on the findings and whether the nodule affects thyroid function.
Bariatric surgery may be considered for people with significant obesity, particularly when it is causing or worsening conditions such as type 2 diabetes, and when other measures have not achieved sustained weight loss. Candidacy is assessed individually, and the program includes nutritional and medical support before and after surgery.
For many people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, metabolic (bariatric) surgery can substantially improve blood sugar control, and some achieve remission. The effect varies by individual and procedure, and surgery is combined with ongoing medical and nutritional care for lasting results.
Yes. Remote consultations allow specialists to review your test results and management plan and adjust it over time, which is especially useful for ongoing conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disease after you return home.
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