A pediatric endocrinologist is a doctor who focuses on diagnosing and treating hormone-related issues in children. Hormones are released into the blood stream by endocrine glands to help different parts of the body communicate with each other. They act as chemical messengers that help control how we grow, how much energy we have, when we go through puberty, and even how our body handles stress. Hormone problems that affect children can be very different from those affecting adults. Therefore, a pediatric endocrinologist has completed special training to understand how hormones – and the glands that produce them – function at all stages of childhood into the teen years.  

Children can have different types of endocrine disorders. One common disorder is type 1 or type 2 diabetes, where the body can’t properly use sugar, leading to blood sugar levels that get too high or too low. Another is growth disorders, where a child might grow much slower or faster than usual. Thyroid problems are also commonly treated by pediatric endocrinologists. The thyroid is a gland in the neck that controls how fast the body’s engines run. If it’s too active, it’s called hyperthyroidism; if it’s not active enough, it’s called hypothyroidism. Children can also have issues with puberty, either starting much earlier than expected, which is called precocious puberty, or much later, called delayed puberty.   

Endocrine disorders can happen for different reasons. Some children inherit genes from their parents that make them more likely to have certain issues. Autoimmune diseases, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, can also cause hormone problems. Infections, injuries, or tumors can damage the glands that produce hormones, leading to an imbalance. For example, a tumor in the pituitary gland, which controls many other glands in the body, can affect growth and development. Sometimes, doctors don’t know exactly what causes an endocrine disorder, but they can still help manage symptoms. 

Signs of hormone imbalance in children will vary depending on which hormones are affected. One common sign is unusual growth patterns, like growing too tall for their age or experiencing delayed growth. Other signs include:  

• Skin changes like severe acne or very dry skin  

• Sudden weight gain or weight loss  

• Feeling tired all the time, even after getting enough sleep 

• Drinking a lot of water and needing to go to the bathroom more often 

• Sudden mood swings, such as becoming anxious or sad without a clear reason

The treatment for endocrine disorders in children depends on what type of disorder they have. For many hormone problems, doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy. This means giving the child medicine that helps balance the hormones in their body. For example, if a child’s thyroid isn’t making enough hormones, they might need to take thyroid hormone pills. In cases of type 1 diabetes, children might need insulin shots or other medications to help control their blood sugar. Sometimes, lifestyle changes, like eating a healthier diet or getting more exercise, can help manage endocrine disorders. In more serious cases, surgery may be needed to remove a tumor or repair a gland. 

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Pediatric Endocrinologist in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Pediatric Endocrinologist near New York, NY
Pediatric Endocrinologist near Los Angeles, CA
Pediatric Endocrinologist near Chicago, IL
Pediatric Endocrinologist near Houston, TX
Pediatric Endocrinologist near Phoenix, AZ
Pediatric Endocrinologist near Philadelphia, PA
Pediatric Endocrinologist near Atlanta, GA
Pediatric Endocrinologist near Boston, MA
Pediatric Endocrinologist near Dallas, TX
Pediatric Endocrinologist near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Pediatric Endocrinologist search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Pediatric Endocrinologist search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Pediatric Endocrinologist search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/07/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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