Best Certified Endocrinologists of Los Angeles

For those who are perhaps not familiar with endocrinology, it is a branch of biology and medicine that focuses on the endocrine system and its ability to secrete hormones that the body needs to function. That said, a physician who specializes in this branch of medicine is an endocrinologist. Further, they are the go-to physician for individuals who are struggling with low human growth hormone levels or any other hormone-based deficiency for that matter.

These same specialty physicians can diagnose and also treat a host of endocrine disorders, some of which include hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and osteoporosis, for example. One of the things that differentiate endocrinologist from general practitioners is their extensive background and training relative to the major glands that make up the endocrine system, which includes the following:

  • Adrenals
  • Hypothalamus
  • Pituitary
  • Pineal gland
  • Parathyroids
  • Ovaries
  • Testes
  • Thyroid

Who Should Consider Being Seen by an Endocrinologist?

It is reasonably safe to say that individuals who are exhibiting any of the symptoms synonymous with a hormone deficiency or have previously been diagnosed with a chronic disease in which an endocrine disorder is a contributing factor should be under the care of a board-certified endocrinologist. And this is especially true for those who are deficient in human growth hormones (HGH), which are peptide hormones produced by the pituitary gland.

These particular hormones are responsible for stimulating growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration, all of which are essential for the body to function correctly. As with any other disorder involving the endocrine system, low growth hormone levels will present an array of unpleasant symptoms that will motivate most people to seek prompt medical attention. Some of the more notable symptoms brought on by low growth hormone levels in most adults include

  • Low libido
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Reduced muscle mass
  • Excessive visceral fat

It is important to note that multiple things can contribute to low HGH levels and the corresponding symptoms, some of which include

  • Aging
  • Damage to the hypothalamus
  • Damage to the pituitary gland
  • Restricted blood flow to the pituitary gland
  • Endoscopic surgery to treat the pituitary gland
  • Radiation therapy

The Best Board-Certified Endocrinologists in Los Angeles County

If you live in Los Angeles or any of the surrounding areas and struggling with an HGH imbalance or a hormone-related disease, the right endocrinologist can help provide some much-needed relief by prescribing treatments to balance out your hormone levels. That being said, some of the best board-certified endocrinologists in the Los Angeles County area include the following:

Dr. Theodore C. Friedman

Serving Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, Dr. Theodore C. Friedman, provides his services through various forms of telemedicine, some of which include FaceTime, phone conferencing, and email. And for those who prefer something slightly more conventional, he also welcomes in-person consultations. Dr. Theodore C. Friedman is a board-certified endocrinologist who specializes in treating postmenopausal women. However, he also welcomes those struggling with Cushing’s syndrome, a condition resulting from a tumor of the pituitary gland that affects the lives of 10 to 15 million Americans every year.

For all patients in his care, Dr. Friedman works diligently to restore their hormone levels to a healthy and normal state, which, in turn, provides them with significant relief from their symptoms. As far as his educational background is concerned, Dr. Friedman earned his medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. From there, he completed his internal medicine internship with the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers. Dr. Friedman then rounded out his education by completing his endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism fellowship with the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.

Dr. David Heber

Much like Dr. Theodore C. Friedman, Dr. David Heber is a board-certified endocrinologist based in Los Angeles who treats patients with low growth hormone levels and a host of problems involving the endocrine system. According to a feature article published by U.S. News and World Report, Dr. David Heber has been in practice for more than 20 years and is affiliated with the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

As one of the most well-regarded endocrinologists in Los Angeles, Dr. Heber is well-versed in treating and diagnosing HGH deficiencies and associated symptoms. Further, he is quite adept at diagnosing and treating other health problems that occur when the pituitary gland does not secrete enough hormones, such as diabetes and metabolic disorders, for example. Regarding his educational background, Dr. David Heber earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and then completed his internal medicine internship with the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. From there, he went on to complete his endocrinology residency at the UCLA Medical Center.

Dr. Joseph M. Molina

Unlike Dr. Heber and Dr. Friedman, Dr. Joseph M. Molina is a South Pasadena-based Endocrinologist; however, he is still within minutes of Los Angeles. And he provides top-tier diagnosis and treatments to individuals struggling with a hormone imbalance and other disorders involving the endocrine system. In practice for more than 20 years, Dr. Molina has been certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in the areas of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism.

With respect to his education, Dr. Molina earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. From there, he completed his internal medicine residency with the renowned Johns Hopkins University before going on to complete his fellowship in the areas of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at UC San Diego.

Dr. Astrid Hernandez

Like the other outstanding practitioners listed in this article, Dr. Astrid Hernandez has been practicing endocrinology for over 20 years. And she also specializes in treating a host of health problems that occur when the pituitary and other glands do not secrete enough hormones, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and slow metabolism.

As one of the few female endocrinologists in the Los Angeles County area, Dr. Hernandez earned her medical degree from the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. From there, she completed her internship, residency, and fellowship with the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.

Bottom Line

In summary, multiple things can contribute to low growth hormone levels, not to mention many of the symptoms noted in this article. What’s more, the same deficiency can trigger a myriad of chronic diseases as well. Fortunately, for those who reside in Los Angeles and the neighboring cities, there are several board-certified endocrinologists that take great pride in accurately diagnosing hormone-based health problems and prescribing the appropriate treatment need to improve their patient’s overall quality of life.