Disabling Condition: Endocrine System Problems

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Conditions covered include hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes

1. Are you on pills, insulin, none or both?
2. Do you follow a diabetic diet and/or have you attended any classes on this?
3. Do you monitor you blood-sugar and adjust meals, activity, or medications?
4. If your doctor has diagnosed peripheral neuropathy, have you had a confirming EMG test?
5. Has your vision been affected (retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma)?  If so, have you had surgical repair?

Thyroid

1. Are you taking medications?
2. If not under control, why not?

The endocrine system is responsible for communicating, controlling and coordinating a large number of bodily functions such as energy levels, reproduction, growth and development, responses to stimuli/stress and homeostasis (adjustment of physiological processes to maintain internal balance).  This is accomplished by the secretion of hormones from a number of glands (thyroid, pancreas, adrenal, pituitary, just to name a few).

Thyroid disorders are often effectively treated by medications.  Social Security will not normally find a thyroid disorder disabling unless the medical evidence establishes that the medications are not effective and the condition has worsened to cause specific damage such as weak bones, cataracts, involuntary muscle contractions, etc.

Diabetes is also usually controllable with medication and lifestyle management.  As such, Social Security will not find the diagnosis alone disabling until there is end-organ damage, such as neurological damage to the feet and/or hands, amputation of limbs or vision loss.  If fluctuating blood sugars are frequent and persistent despite treatment the condition will be found disabling.  Social Security will look for acidosis (the inability to excrete acid via the kidney) in the medical record.