Endocrinology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the endocrine system and its specific secretions called hormones. It includes the study of hormones, their receptors, the intracellular signalling pathways they invoke, and the diseases and conditions associated with them. In the practice of medicine, this is often paired with the study of diabetes and metabolism. Another common pairing of endocrinology is with reproductive medicine and infertility. An Endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in treating such disorders. They treat disorders of the pituitary, including growth disorders; diseases of the thyroid; diseases of the adrenal glands; diseases of the ovary and testes; and diabetes, a disorder of insulin secretion or sensitivity
The field of endocrinology is rapidly changing, as new therapies and diagnostic methods make their mark and as new research add to our understanding of the optimal treatment of conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and thyroid disease.
TOXICOLOGY
Toxicology is the study of dynamic interaction of chemicals with living systems. In a broader sense, it has something to do with the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical or biological agents on people, animals, and the environment. It is also the workhorse science of numerous industries and regulatory agencies—from those involved with development and regulation of food additives to those involved with the use and remediation of hazardous chemicals. While toxicologists are the scientists trained to investigate, interpret, and communicate the nature of those effects.
Before drug candidates can be tested in human studies, preclinical toxicology studies determine the dose at which the drug candidate has toxic effects. Typically, animals are dosed with the drug candidate until a toxic effect is observed. Using standard light microscope-based histology, the toxic lesions are studied in an effort to explain the toxicological event. If light microscopy does not reveal the nature of the lesion then more in-depth studies using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are needed.
DRUG TESTING
Drug test is an examination of biologic material such as urine, hair, saliva, or sweat, to detect the presence of specific drugs and determine prior drug use. Drug tests may be performed to detect illegal drug use as well as the use of drugs and substances not permitted in specific occupations or athletic competitions. This is also known as drug screen.
Drug abuse testing by blood, urine, saliva or any other method (except forensic hair analysis) is designed only to detect whether or not a specific drug or drug metabolite is present at the time the test is performed. While there are very broad estimates as to how long a particular drug may have been in the syste. It is said that no drug test, regardless of method, is intended to include a time variable. Many factors unique to the individual being tested determine the actual half-life of the particular drug including such variables as age, weight, body fat index, sex, metabolic rate, overall health and amount of drug consumed over what period of time. Therefore, no conclusions can be drawn as to when a particular drug was taken or how much was consumed with any type of drug abuse test. If it is desired to screen for historical drug use, a forensic laboratory hair analysis test is available that will screen for illicit drug use up to 90 days dependent on hair sample length.
