Endocrinology Program

We specialize in:

• Thyroid disorders
• Pituitary and hypothalamic disorders
• Adrenal disorders
• Male sexual dysfunction
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Bone and calcium abnormalities

Thyroid Disorders

Hyperthyroidism

A condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone, which can significantly accelerate the body's metabolism and cause sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nervousness or irritability. Treatment involves anti-thyroid medications to slow production of thyroid hormone and/or radioactive iodine or surgery to destroy or remove the thyroid gland.

Hypothyroidism

A condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones, upsetting the normal balance of chemical reactions in the body. It seldom causes symptoms in its early stages, but if left untreated over time, it can cause unexplained weight gain, joint pain, infertility and heart disease. Treatment includes synthetic thyroid hormone that restores adequate hormone levels.

Thyroid cancer

A cancer that occurs in the cells of the thyroid gland. Symptoms include a lump that can be felt through the skin on the neck, increasing hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, pain in the neck or throat, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Treatment can include surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland, thyroid hormone therapy, and, in some cases, radioactive iodine.

Thyroid nodule

A thyroid nodule is a localized enlargement (lump) of the thyroid. Most thyroid cancers may start off as a thyroid nodule, though more than 90 percent of thyroid nodules are benign. In order to tell the difference between the majority of thyroid nodules that are benign and the small number that are cancerous, a careful evaluation including a focused history looking for risk factors for thyroid cancer, a physical exam looking for signs of thyroid dysfunction or thyroid cancer, and an ultrasound exam are provided to determine the risk of thyroid cancer. When risk is present, a fine needle biopsy of the thyroid nodule will be performed which has very high accuracy rates to detect or rule out thyroid cancer. Throughout this whole process the thyroid nodule clinic doctor will guide and recommend the best next steps until the patient is reassured.

Pituitary and Hypothalamic Disorders

Prolactinoma

A condition in which usually benign tumors in the pituitary gland in the brain cause overproduction of the hormone prolactin, which can impair vision, cause infertility, and produce other effects. Treatment includes oral medications to reduce prolactin production or surgery to remove the pituitary tumor and, rarely, radiation

Hypothalamic hypogonadism

In women, usually presents with loss of menses prematurely due to lack of appropriate signal hormones to regulate the menstrual cycle; in men, a lack of signal hormones can result in low testosterone levels; hormonal treatment can be helpful in restoring balance and protecting against osteoporosis in both men and women

Hypopituitarism

Underactivity of multiple pituitary hormones, which requires appropriate replacement with thyroid, adrenal gonadal and/or growth hormones.

Growth disorders

Growth hormone deficiency is treated with growth hormone replacement therapy. Growth hormone excess is treated with surgery to remove benign tumors of the pituitary gland, which overproduce growth hormone, as well as medications or irradiation of the pituitary gland to slow production of the growth hormones.

Adrenal Disorders

Cushing's syndrome

A condition that occurs when the body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long period of time. This can result in a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin. It can also lead to high blood pressure, bone loss, and, on occasion, diabetes. Treatment includes reducing the use of corticosteroid medications (which can raise cortisol levels), surgery to remove tumors that are causing the overproduction of cortisol, and medications that control cortisol production.

Pheochromocytoma

A rare, usually benign tumor that forms in the adrenal gland, causing overproduction of certain hormones that raise blood pressure and heart rate. Treatment includes medications to control high blood pressure and surgery to remove part or all of the adrenal glands.

Aldosteronoma

A tumor in the adrenal cortex, characterized by salt retention and hypertension (high blood pressure). Treatment includes surgically removing the entire adrenal gland or tumor and medications that decrease the production of the hormone aldosterone.

Male Sexual Dysfunction

Problems during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevent an individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from sexual activity, including erectile dysfunction and reduced sexual desire. Treatment includes medications to improve sexual function, hormone therapy, mechanical aids, and psychological therapy.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

A common female endocrine disorder in which a woman's hormones are out of balance, causing problems with a woman's periods and ability to get pregnant, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism. Treatment includes medications to regulate the menstrual cycle and/or improve ovulation and, at times, to affect insulin resistance, and lifestyle therapies to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.