Endocrine Replacement Therapy in Clinical Practice

Endocrine Replacement Therapy in Clinical Practice, an update of Hormone Repla- ment Therapy published by Humana Press in 1999, aims to assist the endocrinologist, gynecologist, pediatrician, urologist, general surgeon, neurologist, neurosurgeon, p- chiatrist, generalist, and trainee in management of their patients with hormonal defici- cies or altered hormonal synthesis or responses. Many new authors have added several new chapters, and all of the previous chapters have been updated. Endocrine testing used to diagnose endocrine disorders and monitor hormone replacement therapy is reviewed. However, detailed discussion of physiology and pathophysiology is not an aim of this book, and these topics are covered in other volumes on endocrinology. Although no one is considered an expert in all areas of endocrine replacement therapy, each of the authors here have extensive knowledge and experience in the management of patients with s- cific endocrine disorders requiring hormone replacement treatment. Although some differences of opinion exist among experts in replacement therapy, each writer has attempted to give a balanced, unbiased recommendation. When com- rable regimens exist, the authors have made this apparent to the reader who can then choose the best treatment for the individual patient. Cost, therapeutic effectiveness, and route of administration are all important considerations in making the final selection of replacement therapy.

Updating and expanding his highly praised Hormone Replacement Therapy (Humana Press, 1999), A. Wayne Meikle, MD, brings together in Endocrine Replacement Therapy in Clinical Practice the extensive knowledge of leading clinicians in managing children and adults in need of hormonal replacement therapy. These world-class experts offer comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis and cutting-edge treatment of disorders of the pituitary, parathyroid, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, and gonads. They also review the endocrine testing used in diagnosis and monitoring, comparable regimens when available, as well as considerations of cost, therapeutic effectiveness, and route of administration. Among the special topics covered are approaches to both male and female contraception, the enhancement of fertility in both men and women, the management of diseases affecting the parathyroid, vitamin D and calcium metabolism, updated guidelines on the use of growth hormone secretagogues in children and adults, and androgen therapy in aging and muscle wasting.
Comprehensive and authoritative, Endocrine Replacement Therapy in Clinical Practice makes available to endocrinologists, family practitioners, pediatricians, internists, neurologists, urologists, obstetricians, and gynecologists the many proven techniques of hormonal replacement therapy that, in all their complexity, no single physician could easily master without this practical, cutting-edge guide.