Endocrine Physiology

In the preface of this book the author emphasizes that this book is intended for medical students and the general medical field. I skimmed to Chapter 6 since that is where I began to understand what was going on without looking up every other word for comprehension purposes. I am surprised that there is not more diagrams on the this subject matter like on page 266 & 303. It would probably save a student some study time (instead of referring to other sources ie books, the web, or etc to figure out a particular subject matter in this book). The list of Abbreviations on page xiii was very helpful in understanding some of the verbiage in Endocrine Physiology. Review on some of the chapters: Chapter 7 - Laboratory Evaluation of Endocrine Discussion points on secreting profile and the circadian rhythm offers interesting viewpoints on the coritsol levels in the body. Chapter 9 - Endocrine Pancreas Discusses the endocrine pancreas and it provides a good explanation about Type I & II diabetics. It also mentions a correlation between gestational diabetics & Type II diabetics. Chapter 13- Reproductive Endocrinology Discussion points on Pheromonal signals & the menstrual cycle, obesity and endometrial cancer, and PMS symptoms and sources for relief. Additionally, pages 581-583 reviews the development of breast cancer correlated to genes, pregnancy & age, and obesity.

I picked up this book about two years ago and set out to fill the quite significant gaps in my endocrinology knowledge. As a practicing pediatrician in a very busy practice, this book defied me in attempting a cursory or casual reading. It seemed the presented material was overwhelming in detail and information and it only made me feel more ignorant than I had felt before. But I yet to find a book of its size and price that would present relevant information in an organized, thorough and structured manner as this one. Just last month it helped me in the management of a child with thyroid storm and a baby with hyperinsulinemia. There is no match for this book when someone desperately and urgently needs knowledge and understanding of endocrinological problems. My only gripe would be that the index searches could be hampered by the small lettering and minimal subtopic indentation. Other than that, this is the most frequently used book (with Nelson's Pediatrics) on endocrinology in my office .

If there is anything specific that you need to learn about endocrinology, this is the book. I bought it specifically for two chapters, but have found the remainder of the book is a pleasure to read. A wonder supplement for anyone in the field of endocrinology.

This author does a wonderful job explaining endocrinology in a system-based approach. This is by far the best book in its class. It is amazing how Kacsoh blends together molecular biology and clinical medicine to give the reader the best understanding of endocrinology in normal as well as disease states. I read this book as a second year medical student. The explanations, diagrams, and tables are wonderful and were a big help for USMLE 1 and 2 and during the third and fourth years of medical school. In fact, I have found myself pulling it off the shelf nearly every week as a third and fourth year student for a quick review of the diagrams and tables to help in the clinical assessment of patients that I encounter on the wards. This is a must read for medical students that want to not only learn endocrinology, but also apply it.