What is an endocrinologist, and what do they treat?

The endocrine system is the network of glands that produces hormones, including insulin, thyroid hormone, cortisol and the sex hormones. An endocrinologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating conditions in which these hormones are out of balance. Hormones affect almost every system in the body. A single symptom can therefore have several possible causes that need a proper assessment.

In practice, your endocrinologist will interpret each blood test result alongside your symptoms, your metabolism and your overall health.

Conditions our endocrinologists treat in Dubai

Diabetes and prediabetes

Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and gestational diabetes are core areas of endocrinology. Care often involves blood tests, a review of how your body manages blood sugar and a plan that combines medication, where appropriate, with nutrition and lifestyle support. Our endocrinologists provide diabetes care in Dubai within the Emirates Diabetes and Endocrine Society consensus for managing type 2 diabetes, updated in 2026.

Thyroid disorders

An underactive thyroid, an overactive thyroid, Hashimoto’s disease and thyroid nodules can all affect energy, weight, mood and temperature regulation. Thyroid problems are common and are treatable once diagnosed. Your endocrinologist will assess your symptoms alongside the appropriate thyroid tests to understand what is actually driving them and determine the right treatment.

PCOS and hormonal imbalance

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that can affect metabolism, weight, periods and fertility, and is often associated with insulin resistance. Because PCOS involves both hormones and metabolic health, an endocrinologist can play an important role in diagnosing and treating the underlying hormonal and metabolic issues. PCOS affects around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, yet many women remain undiagnosed.

Menopause and perimenopause

The hormonal changes around menopause can affect much more than periods. Some women notice weight gain, especially around the abdomen, along with disrupted sleep, hot flushes, mood changes and changes in metabolism that can make weight management more difficult. Your endocrinologist can assess how these hormonal changes interact with your metabolic health and, where appropriate, recommend a plan that addresses weight, bone health and overall wellbeing during this stage of life.

Adrenal, pituitary and bone health

Our endocrinologists also manage adrenal and pituitary conditions, osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency and low testosterone. These conditions often need a combination of blood tests, a clinical review and ongoing follow-up.

Weight and metabolic health

Our endocrinologists treat obesity as a medical condition rather than a question of willpower. The goal of treatment is to help you gain health, not only to lose weight. The World Health Organization describes obesity as a chronic disease. Obesity therefore generally needs long-term management.

At our medical weight loss clinic in Dubai, a medically supervised weight loss programme can include a specialist assessment, medication when it is clinically suitable, blood tests, body composition analysis and lifestyle coaching. Your endocrinologist will also look for conditions that can make weight management more difficult, such as insulin resistance, thyroid disease and hormonal imbalance.

The US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) reports that weight management medications work best when combined with a lifestyle programme.

When should you see an endocrinologist?

We recommend booking an appointment if you notice any of the following, especially if they persist:

• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Constant fatigue or low energy that does not improve with rest
• Excessive thirst, frequent urination, or a family history of diabetes
• Feeling unusually hot or cold, or changes in your heart rate
• Irregular or absent periods, or difficulty with fertility
• Hair thinning, dry skin, or new dark patches of skin
• Low mood, low energy, or reduced sex drive
• Episodes of shakiness, sweating or light-headedness that ease after eating

These symptoms are reasons to be assessed, not a way to diagnose yourself. Your endocrinologist will review them alongside your medical history and the appropriate blood tests.

Do you need a referral to see an endocrinologist in the UAE?

No. In the UAE, you can book an appointment with an endocrinologist directly, without being referred by a general practitioner. You do not need a referral letter or an appointment with another doctor first.

Insurance is the part worth checking. Some insurance policies cover a specialist visit only when a general practitioner has referred you, while others ask for pre-approval before the appointment. The requirement sits with your insurer, not with the clinic, so a short call to your insurance before you book will tell you which applies to your policy. Our care coordinators can also help you in this process.

If you would rather start with a general practitioner, that is a reasonable route as well. A general practitioner can carry out first-line checks and treat many hormone-related problems directly. Endocare has general practitioners who specialise in weight and metabolic health.

Endocrinologist, GP or nutritionist: who do you need?

Endocrinologists, general practitioners and nutritionists each have a different role:

If you are not sure which fits your situation, our team can advise you before you book. Some patients benefit from seeing both their doctor and our lifestyle coaches.

How much does an endocrinologist consultation cost in Dubai?

An initial consultation with an endocrinologist at Endocare is AED 700. That covers the consultation itself. A body composition analysis is included at no extra charge.

Blood tests are priced separately, because the tests you need depend on what your endocrinologist is investigating. Follow-up appointments are charged at a lower rate than the first consultation. If your treatment includes our weight loss programme, it is priced differently. Our full pricing sets out each option.

Insurance coverage for specialist consultations varies by policy. Some policies cover the visit in full, some cover part of it and some require pre-approval first. We recommend asking your insurer what your policy covers before you book.

How to choose an endocrinologist in Dubai

We recommend checking a few things before you book an endocrinologist:

• Check the qualification, not only the title. In the UAE, “Consultant Endocrinologist” is a regulated professional title based on recognised postgraduate qualifications and relevant specialist experience. It is still worth checking the doctor’s individual credentials, training and where their qualifications were awarded.
• Ask what the first appointment includes. A first consultation should include a full medical history, an examination where relevant and a plan for the appropriate blood tests.
• Ask who orders and interprets your blood tests. Choosing which hormone tests to run, and interpreting them alongside your symptoms, requires specialist knowledge.
• Ask what follow-up looks like. Many endocrine conditions need management over months or years. Continuity with the same doctor can help.
• Check whether the clinic measures more than your weight. For metabolic health and weight-related problems, repeated body composition measurements help track how your body is changing beyond the number on the scale.
• Be cautious with any clinic that prescribes before it assesses. Choosing and adjusting a prescription medication is a medical decision for a doctor who has reviewed your full medical history.

These questions can help you compare clinics before your first appointment.

What happens at your first endocrinology consultation

Your endocrinologist will take a detailed medical history, examine you where relevant and arrange the blood tests needed to look for the causes and effects of your symptoms. At Endocare, body composition analysis is included free of charge at every consultation. Body composition analysis estimates body fat, muscle mass and body water. Repeated measurements help your endocrinologist understand how your body is changing beyond the number on the scale.

You and your endocrinologist will then agree on a plan together. It may include further tests, treatment that your endocrinologist monitors over time, or our weight loss programme where it is appropriate.

Meet the endocrinology team at Endocare

Our consultant endocrinologists lead your care, supported by our clinical nutrition and lifestyle coaching team.

Dr Hecham Harb, Medical Director and Consultant Endocrinologist

Dr Hecham Harb is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in Endocrinology, Internal and Acute Medicine. He holds the Specialty Certificate in Endocrinology and Diabetes from the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom. He also completed an honorary obesity and weight control fellowship at Austin Health in Melbourne and received his MD from Damascus University. He has more than 20 years of international experience in endocrinology and obesity medicine.

Dr Tala Hindawi, General Practitioner with a clinical focus on weight and metabolic health

Dr Tala Hindawi is a general practitioner with a clinical focus on weight and metabolic health, providing ongoing assessment, treatment and follow-up for her patients.

Our clinical nutrition and lifestyle coaching team

Endocare’s lifestyle coaches and clinical nutritionists support patients with personalised nutrition, activity, sleep and stress plans, working alongside your endocrinologist.