The Professional Association of Endocrinologists (PACE) is an association of all the qualified Endocrinologists in Kerala.

Until the turn of the century there were only a handful of qualified endocrinologists in Kerala. In the last two decades, particularly since 2010, that situation has changed rapidly, as a number of new training programmes have started in Kerala and other parts of India. Many new young endocrinologists have started practicing in Kerala. It was in 2013 that PACE was started as a formal association and today it has over 60 members.

Endocrinology as a medical superspeciality has become very popular in the last few years and currently it is one of the most sought after superspeciality courses. 

The subject of endocrinology is very vast and includes all hormonal disorders like thyroid diseases, problems of the adrenal, pituitary and sex glands, and diabetes (which is the commonest endocrine problem). It also encompasses medical management of bone disease including osteoporosis and a number of other bone problems due to hormonal or chemical imbalance, and medical management of obesity. Problems related to growth in children, early or delayed puberty, menstrual irregularities or increased facial hair in women, breast development or lack of moustache and beard or sexual dysfunction in men, infertility related problems in men and women, hormonal treatment of transgenders, lipid disorders (high Cholesterol and other fats), cancer of thyroid and other hormone glands, variations in sodium and other electrolytes in the blood etc. all come within the remit of endocrinology. 

Since the scope of the epeciality is so broad and varied, there is very little awareness among the public about types of diseases that endocrinologists treat. Even among those who know about the speciality the impression is that only diabetes and thyroid problems are addressed by endocrinologists. Moreover, patients with endocrine problems frequently don’t know who is the qualified endocrinologist nearest to them whom they can consult conveniently.

The objective of starting this website is to reach out to the public and raise awareness about the speciality of endocrinology, and also provide information about qualified endocrinology practitioners in Kerala to help those in need to contact their nearest specialist. Regularly updated information about latest developments in our speciality will be provided in simple language on this website. 

I am sure that this initiative by PACE to start a website will provide a suitable platform to popularize the speciality and provide much needed information and education to the public at large and patients with endocrine problems in particular.

PACE has also been conducting regular CMEs for doctors. PACE Masterclass and KENDOCON are two regularly conducted educational activities for Physicians. 

Dr M V Muraleedharan 

President, PACE