Medical endocrinology is the study of diseases caused by hormonal dysfunction.

A hormone is a chemical messenger which is produced by specialized secretory cells and has an action on cells nearby (paracrine) or at a distance (endocrine).

The endocrine system co-ordinates the activities of different cells and tissues thereby maintaining homeostasis.

This section covers the following topics:

• basic knowledge in endocrinology:
• synthesis, storage, release & transport of hormones
• control of hormone concentrations
• testing endocrine function
• epidemiology of endocrine disease
• general clinical features in endocrine disease

• endocrine diseases and conditions