When is the main examination for endocrinology done

Endocrine examination is usually performed when hormone related symptoms, routine physical examination abnormalities, or specific disease risks occur. The main examination timing includes hormone disorder symptom period, underlying disease follow-up period, abnormal physical examination indicators, specific population screening period, and preoperative evaluation stage.

1. Hormonal disorder symptom period:

When typical endocrine symptoms such as excessive drinking and urination, sudden weight changes, and skin pigmentation occur, timely examination is necessary. Patients with hyperthyroidism often have palpitations and shaking hands, and may experience hunger before meals in the early stage of diabetes. Cushing's syndrome is accompanied by centripetal obesity. Those symptoms that last for more than two weeks should be referred to the endocrine department. Common examinations include five thyroid function tests, glucose tolerance tests, and cortisol rhythm testing.

2. Follow up period of basic diseases:

Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism need regular reexamination. Type 1 diabetes patients should be checked for glycosylated hemoglobin every three months, hypothyroidism patients should be rechecked for TSH level every six months, and osteoporosis patients should be checked for bone density every year. Patients with thyroid disease during pregnancy require more intensive monitoring frequency, typically assessing thyroid function every 4-6 weeks.

3. Abnormal physical examination indicators:

Routine physical examination reveals fasting blood glucose ≥ 6.1mmol/L, TSH exceeding the range of 0.27-4.2mIU/L, and other conditions that require further examination. Persistent high uric acid levels may indicate metabolic syndrome, and abnormal blood calcium levels require investigation of parathyroid gland problems. These abnormal indicators often appear earlier than clinical symptoms, and it is recommended to complete specialized follow-up within one month.

4. Specific population screening period:

It is recommended for perimenopausal women to have their estrogen levels checked annually, and thyroid function should be evaluated three months before pregnancy. Obese children should be screened for growth hormone, and those who take glucocorticoids for a long time should have their adrenal function regularly tested. For individuals with a family history of endocrine tumors, it is recommended to undergo hormone screening every two years starting from the age of 30.

5. Preoperative evaluation stage:

Endocrine status must be evaluated before major surgery. Prior screening for pheochromocytoma is required for cardiac surgery, vitamin D levels should be confirmed before orthopedic surgery, and comprehensive metabolic indicators should be checked for weight loss surgery. Patients with diabetes need to adjust the insulin program before surgery, and these assessments are usually completed 2-4 weeks before surgery. After endocrine examination, normal diet and rest should be maintained to avoid interfering with the results. For thyroid examination, fasting blood should be drawn, and a daily intake of 150g carbohydrates should be ensured three days before the glucose tolerance test. Long term use of hormone drugs requires informing the doctor of medication status before examination, and avoiding vigorous exercise on the day of examination. Cortisol patients should practice sitting still for blood collection in advance and ensure sufficient sleep the night before the examination. Special examinations such as water tests should be conducted under the supervision of a doctor, and water and electrolytes should be replenished promptly after the examination.