Norman Regional Health System

Norman Regional’s endocrinologists specialize in the treatment of disorders involving the body’s glands and the hormones they secrete, including diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, thyroid disease and more.

Endocrinology is the study of the hormones that control nearly every aspect of our health and wellbeing. Our hormones control how we grow, how we sleep, how hungry we are, our temperature and even our mood. The endocrine system is one of the body’s main communicators, using blood vessels to deliver hormones to cells. Typically, problems occur when the body either makes too much or too little of a specific hormone. When your hormones are out of balance, our experts can help you understand what’s happening with your body and provide you with the education, treatment and resources needed to help you get back to living your best life. Our team takes the time to get to know you and your specific condition. Together, you’ll create a personalized plan for restoring and maintaining your hormone balance.

Common Endocrine Disorders

Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body becomes inefficient at absorbing insulin and is not able to regulate glucose.

Obesity can be associated with several endocrine disorders. A hormone imbalance can slow down metabolism or increase hunger.

Osteoporosis causes weak bones that are prone to fracture or break. It’s common in women due to a significant drop in estrogen levels after menopause.

Addison’s Disease, also called primary adrenal insufficiency, occurs when your adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.

Cushing’s Syndrome is the result of adrenal glands producing too much cortisol, a steroid hormone, over a long period of time. People with Cushing’s Syndrome may experience weight gain in the midsection, excessing sweating, hairiness or hunger, fatigue, acne, an abnormal pad of fat between the shoulder blades and insomnia.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when an overactive thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. Symptoms include anxiety, nervousness, excessive sweating, weight loss and rapid heartbeat.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland isn’t able to produce enough thyroid hormone. The result is a slower metabolism.

Low testosterone is a failure of testes in men, and ovaries in women, to work properly. It can cause a decreased sex drive, depression, loss of body hair, loss of strength and hot flashes.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is a disease that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid. It can lead to hypothyroidism.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges. Women with PCOS may also experience infertility, irregular periods, excessive hair, and a slower metabolism.

Understanding glands

Adrenal

The adrenal glands are small glands located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones that you can't live without including cortisol which helps you respond to stress and has many other important functions.

Pituitary

Your pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain. The pituitary is the 'master control gland,' it makes hormones that affect growth and the functions of other glands in the body. Injuries can cause pituitary disorders, but the most common cause is a pituitary tumor.

Thyroid

Your thyroid is a small gland found at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. The thyroid produces two main hormones that control the rate of many activities in your body. These include how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. All of these activities together are known as your body's metabolism. A thyroid that is working right will produce the right amounts of hormones needed to keep your body’s metabolism working at a rate that is not too fast or too slow.

Parathyroid

Most people have four pea-sized glands, called parathyroid glands, on the thyroid gland in the neck. The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps your body keep the right balance of calcium and phosphorous.