Introduction

Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism of Tri-Service General Hospital was established in 1953 and originally it dealt with metabolic, endocrine, renal and rheumatological diseases. In 1986 the renal unit was separated out and it became the Division of Nephrology. The staff of Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism consists of the Department Supervisor, 6 Attending physicians, several residents and 3 laboratory technician.

The scope of disease

The department commonly manages diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, adrenal gland disease, hyperlipidemia, obesity, amenorrhea and gout etc, and it can be broadly categorized into two groups:

• Endocrine Diseases:

Disorders of the hypothalamic endocrine functions, pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreatic endocrine functions, diabetes, adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla, sex gland and chromosomal abnormality, as well as other diseases which mimic hormone functioning.

• Metabolic Diseases:

Nutritional Impairment: Including obesity, malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies etc.
Impaired Carbohydrate Metabolism: Diabetes mellitus and glycogen storage disease.
Impaired Lipid Metabolism: Lipidemia etc.
Impaired Amino Acid Metabolism: phenylketonuria, cystine storage disease etc.
Impaired Calcium and Minerals Metabolism: Such as rickets and osteoporosis etc.
Other metabolic disorders: With nucleic acid metabolism and syndromes of abnormal mucopolysaccharide metabolism.