Endocrine disorders: new technology allows quick, accurate diagnosis.

In the past 50 years, the development of radio-immunoassay and other precise diagnostic tools has led to elucidation of the pathophysiology of many endocrine disorders. This in turn has enabled clinicians to make quick, accurate diagnoses of diseases that increase in frequency with advancing age, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, osteoporosis, and hyperparathyroidism. Specific, effective therapies such as the oral sulfonylureas for diabetes and both hormonal and nonhormonal treatments for osteoporosis have improved the longevity and quality of life of older individuals with these diseases. Newer tests give us the ability to closely monitor therapeutic effectiveness.