You probably don’t think about your endocrine system much – until something goes wrong. But it plays a role in nearly every function in your body.

Your endocrine system is made up of a number of glands – thyroid, pituitary, adrenal and many more – and the hormones they produce. Those hormones act as chemical messengers, traveling throughout your body and triggering various functions. Some regulate growth and sexual development, some control body temperature, thirst and hunger. Others influence blood sugar levels, mood and sexual response. There’s not much that hormones don’t do.

When something goes wrong in this complex system, you can experience a baffling variety of symptoms, depending on which hormones are involved: weight gain, anxiety, hair loss, sweating, diarrhea, and many others.

An endocrinologist in the Sutter Health network can help you find out if a hormonal imbalance is at the root of your symptoms. Once your condition is properly diagnosed, your endocrinologist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that restores your hormonal levels and relieves your symptoms.

For hospitalized patients, Mills-Peninsula Medical Center offers endocrinology consultative services, including in-patient diabetes management.