Endocrinology is a branch of Medicine that deals with the endocrine glands, actions of hormones and their metabolic consequences.

Since hormones act on virtually every organ and cell type in the body, the endocrinologist needs to have a definitive knowledge about medicine.

Some disorders lie very clearly and totally within the domain of the endocrinologists, being entirely or largely due to an abnormality of hormone production. This includes diabetes that is caused due to decreases secretion of insulin from pancreas (Type 1 diabetes) or hypothyroidism that is caused due to decreased secretion of thyroid hormone from the thyroid glands.

Endocrinologists are doctors who specialize in treating hormone-producing glands such as the pancreas, thyroid, reproductive glands and gonads. They frequently treat patients with diabetes, hypoglycemia and other endocrine imbalances. This field is typically pursued by aspiring physicians, though some academic degree programs in endocrinology are also available.