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Advances in endocrinology.

To those who do not know me I should begin with a brief but relevant biography to establish my frame of reference for this topic. My personal experience in clinical endocrinology spans a period of 32 years commencing with registrar training on the St George's Hospital rotation in 1975. Prior to this I had some general introduction to endocrinology during my undergraduate training at Guy's Hospital and in the context of general medical training appointments but it was undoubtedly my exposure to diabetes and endocrinology while working for Dr GS Spathis in 1975 which confirmed my future career intentions. Subsequent important influences included Professors TRE Pilkington and Peter Richards at St George's, and Professor RD Cohen, Dr AS Mason and Dr BJ Boucher at the London Hospital. In 1982 I was appointed Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant at the the London and Oldchurch Hospitals, later becoming Reader in Metabolism and Endocrinology before moving to St Bartholomew's Hospital in 1995 as Reader in Medicine. I was appointed Professor of Clinical Endocrinology at Barts and The London in 2000 and became Lead Endocrinologist at St Bartholomew's in 2001 on the retirement of Professor GM Besser. I retired from my university appointment in 2006 but have continued research in an emeritus capacity and remain active in private clinical practice at the London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology. 
 
In order to examine the extensive changes in clinical endocrinology which have occurred during the past 30 to 40 years I will deal separately with changes in working practice, advances in clinical biochemistry, the impact of advanced imaging modalities, the impact of molecular genetics, surgical developments and important pharmacological advances.