Hormones quietly run the show. When they drift off course, your body usually tells you. The hard part is knowing which signals are urgent, which can wait, and when specialty care will save you time, worry, and complications.
This clinician-led guide outlines when to call an endocrinologist, what we look for on labs, and how our Dallas team gets you seen quickly.
What an Endocrinologist Treats
Endocrinologists diagnose and manage conditions of the hormone system — the thyroid, pancreas, pituitary, adrenals, ovaries and testes, parathyroids, and the metabolic pathways that connect them.
In simple terms, we care for:
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Diabetes
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Thyroid disorders
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Metabolic and weight concerns
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Bone and calcium issues
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Certain reproductive and pituitary problems
Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
Some symptoms are red flags for an endocrine issue. If you notice any of the following, plan to be seen. If a symptom is sudden or severe, refer to the urgent list below.
Common endocrine warning signs
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Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
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Heat or cold intolerance
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Rapid or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or tremor
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New hair loss, brittle nails, dry or itchy skin, or skin darkening
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Menstrual irregularity, missed periods, or very heavy periods
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Persistent fatigue, brain fog, or mood changes
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Recurrent low blood sugars, shakiness, or confusion after meals
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High blood sugars, frequent thirst, or frequent urination
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Neck fullness, swelling, or a visible thyroid nodule
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New or worsening high blood pressure, headaches, or sweats
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Bone pain, height loss, or fractures with minimal trauma
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Fertility challenges or low libido with other symptoms
Clinicians frequently see fatigue, weight shifts, temperature intolerance, and skin or hair changes as hallmark symptom clusters. Fatigue is the most common — but nonspecific — so the pattern and lab context matter.
What Is Urgent vs. Routine
Understanding urgency helps you avoid complications and get the right care at the right time.
Call 911 or go to the emergency department for:
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Blood sugar under 54 mg/dL with confusion or inability to self-treat
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Blood sugar above 300 mg/dL with vomiting, abdominal pain, deep breathing, or fruity breath
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Chest pain, fainting, or severe shortness of breath
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Severe headache with very high blood pressure
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Fever, neck pain, and severe thyroid tenderness
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Sudden vision loss or severe headache with vomiting in someone with pituitary disease
Seek a prompt endocrinology visit (within days) for:
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New-onset hyperthyroid symptoms (racing heart, tremor, heat intolerance, weight loss)
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Recurrent low blood sugars or frequent highs in diabetes
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Rapidly enlarging thyroid nodule or new hoarseness
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High calcium or repeated abnormal thyroid tests
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A1C ≥ 10% or fasting glucose > 180 mg/dL
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Steroid use with concerning side effects (weakness, swelling)
Schedule a routine visit (2–6 weeks) for:
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Fatigue with suspected thyroid or adrenal involvement
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Gradual weight gain or difficulty losing weight
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Menstrual changes, acne, hair changes, or hot flashes
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Persistent cholesterol abnormalities
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Osteopenia or osteoporosis, especially with family history
A Quick Checklist Before You Book
Bring this list to your primary care or endocrinology appointment:
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Weight change: how much and over how long
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Temperature intolerance patterns
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Heart symptoms: palpitations, tremor, discomfort
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Skin and hair changes
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Menstrual cycle details
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Blood sugar patterns: fasting, post-meal, lows/highs
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Home blood pressure readings
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Family history (thyroid disease, diabetes, early heart disease, autoimmune conditions)
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Medications and supplements — including biotin, which can alter thyroid labs
How We Review Your Labs
Clear labs guide clear decisions. Here’s how we interpret the most common endocrine tests.
Thyroid testing: TSH, Free T4, Free T3
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High TSH → hypothyroidism
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Low TSH → hyperthyroidism
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Free T4 confirms severity; Free T3 is added when needed.
Thyroid antibodies
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TPO, Tg antibodies → autoimmune hypothyroidism
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TRAb or TSI → Graves disease
These guide diagnosis and long-term planning.
A1C and glucose patterns
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A1C shows 3-month average
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Fasting and post-meal numbers, time-in-range (CGM), and lows guide treatment
Lipids
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LDL, HDL, triglycerides, non-HDL
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Thyroid health can shift lipid levels
Additional markers when indicated
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Calcium, vitamin D, PTH
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Cortisol and ACTH
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Prolactin and pituitary hormones
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Testosterone and reproductive hormones
When to Move From Primary Care to Specialty Care
See an endocrinologist when:
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Symptoms persist despite normal or borderline labs
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TSH is out of range repeatedly or dosing is hard to stabilize
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A1C stays above goal or lows are frequent
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You are starting insulin or advanced diabetes tech
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You have a thyroid nodule or compressive symptoms
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You have high calcium or unexplained fractures
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You have suspected PCOS, complex menopause symptoms, or fertility issues
Endocrinologists treat the hormone-producing organs as a system — thyroid, pancreas, pituitary, adrenals, parathyroids, ovaries, and testes.
How Our Dallas Team Triage and Books Prompt Visits
Access matters. Our scheduling system matches urgency with availability.
Same-week appointments for:
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High A1C
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Symptomatic thyroid issues
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Recurrent lows
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Concerning new lab results
Next-week slots for:
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Non-urgent but persistent symptoms
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Lab review or treatment adjustments
Routine follow-ups
Scheduled at the end of each visit to avoid care gaps.
You get direct scheduling — no call center. We request recent labs before your appointment so we can act on day one.
If weight is a primary concern with hormonal contributors, request an appointment for endocrine weight evaluation. We integrate metabolic testing, nutrition planning, and medication options when appropriate.
Simple Steps You Can Take Today
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Track symptoms for two weeks
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Review your supplements (pause biotin 48 hours before thyroid tests)
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Bring devices (glucometer, CGM data, fitness tracker)
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Know your numbers: TSH, Free T4, A1C, fasting lipids, antibodies
Key Takeaways
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Do not ignore persistent weight changes, temperature intolerance, heart symptoms, or unstable blood sugars.
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Seek urgent care for severe highs or lows, chest pain, or neurological symptoms.
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TSH, A1C, lipids, and antibodies form the backbone of diagnosis.
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Move to specialty care when symptoms persist, labs drift, or treatment becomes complex.
Ready for answers without the runaround?
Our Dallas practice prioritizes fast access, clear explanations, and long-term partnership. Learn more about our team and services at Sol Endocrinology. For local care with a personal touch, explore Dallas endocrinology or connect with Dallas endocrinologists to book a prompt visit.