How do I introduce myself? In a social gathering I would shy away from defining myself as an endocrinologist. One, because you want people to know you as a person rather than your designation or profession. Second, more often than not, I end up clearing another identity crisis…”What is Endocrinology?”
Depending upon how much I want to speak, I end up saying well you know Diabetes, Thyroid etc Or sometimes I would say Endocrinology has to do with hormones. On one hand endocrinology is suffering from identity crisis, while on the other hand everyone over-identifies with “hormonal problems.” Especially in women, their life is dictated by Hormones which is true to a large extent. But endocrinology is not just mood, reproduction and weight. It is also of course diabetes, and it is also vitamin D, osteoporosis and fracture prevention, adrenal, pituitary, calcium disorders, electrolyte disorders.
A story oft repeated, my friend’s mother had hip fracture. Apart from the social exchange of “get well soon” greetings, I wanted to offer her my counsel about the need to be treated by antiosteoporotic medicines. I am politely suggested that her orthopedician is taking care by giving vitamin D and calcium. I, who is passionately trying to drive the cause of secondary fracture prevention, want to tell her that vitamin D and calcium are not enough after a hip fracture. There are medicines for osteoporosis to prevent second fracture, the risk of which is really high and which can be fatal.
Its important that endocrinology gets its due identity and endocrinologists are able to discuss about fracture prevention with their friends, without being eyed suspiciously that why is this hormone specialist talking about bones?…