Endocrinology and diabetes mellitus

Endocrinolgy and diabetes form a single specialty, though the two subspecialties do have distinct differences. Both are related to disorders of hormone production or action. Diabetology is concerned with the care of people with diabetes mellitus, which is caused by inadequate production and/or effectiveness of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Endocrinology covers the over- or under-production of hormones from a variety of endocrine glands, notably the thyroid and pituitary.

Diabetes care encompasses management of both type 1 and type 2 disease. Treatment is complex, and involves a variety of oral acting drugs, insulin, and other injectable medications. Patient education and lifestyle modification are important aspects of treatment. Endocrine disorders include thyroid and parathyroid disease, as well as pituitary disorders and diseases of the ovaries and testes. Treatments include hormone replacement and sometimes surgery to remove overactive glands.

Diabetes care is highly team-based, and consultants work closely with specialist nurses, dietitians and podiatrists. There is also close liaison with vascular surgery, ophthalmology and renal medicine. Care of endocrine disorders often involves surgeons, as well as nuclear medicine specialists, biochemists and geneticists.

Related RCP publications

• Consultant physicians working with patients, fourth edition (2008)
• Horizons in medicine 19: updates on major clinical advances (2008)
• Type 2 diabetes: national clinical guideline for management in primary and secondary care (update) (2008)
• Guidelines on the management of thyroid cancer, second edition (2007)

Map of Medicine

The RCP has been working with Map of Medicine since 2008 to produce web-based knowledge support tools. There are 300 evidence-based clinical care maps covering all major areas of healthcare; including care maps for specific specialties.

Specialty training

For information about specialty training in endocrinology and diabetes mellitus, please visit the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Postgraduate Training Board (JRCPTB) website.

Specialist societies

• Association of British Clinical Diabetologists
• Society for Endocrinology

Patient information

• Diabetes UK