Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

The endocrine system is a complex group of glands that helps to control reproduction, metabolism, growth and development through substances called hormones. It also controls the way you respond to your surroundings and provides the proper amount of energy your body needs to function. Sometimes the glands of the endocrine system are impaired and can cause a hormone imbalance. This hormone imbalance (or endocrine disease/condition) can affect your health in many ways, and some endocrine system diseases/conditions are more serious than others.
Dr. Scott Isaacs is a board-certified endocrinologist. He is a graduate of Emory University School of Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (F.A.C.P.) and the American College of Endocrinology (F.A.C.E.). Dr. Isaacs is Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Emory School of Medicine and Medical Director at Intelligent Health Center. He is past president of the Georgia Chapter of the the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

The endocrine system includes tissues and major endocrine glands including the pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries and testes. Many other organs also secrete hormones--the kidney, heart, stomach, hypothalamus, brain, placenta as well as fat cells. These glands and tissues secrete hormones--body chemicals that profoundly affect every known physiological function.

Fat Cells Make Hormones

Fat cells are the largest endocrine gland in the body. Once thought to be just a storage depot for excess calories, we now know that fat cells produce a number of hormones that affect body weight, appetite and metabolism. Hormones made by fat include:

• Leptin
• Adiponectin
• Visfatin
• Adipsin
• Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha
• Interleukin 6
• Many others...