The Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Department specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders related to the endocrine glands and metabolic processes. This department focuses on conditions that affect hormone production, regulation, and metabolic function, providing comprehensive care to patients with a wide range of endocrine and metabolic disorders.
Diagnostic Services
- Hormonal Assessments: Comprehensive evaluation of hormone levels using blood tests, urine tests, and other diagnostic tools to assess the function of glands such as the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, and reproductive organs.
- Imaging Studies: Utilization of imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and nuclear medicine scans to detect abnormalities in endocrine glands, such as tumour’s, cysts, or structural changes.
- Glucose Tolerance Tests: Assessment of how the body processes glucose to diagnose and monitor conditions like diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance.
- Bone Density Scans: Measurement of bone mineral density to evaluate the risk of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases.
- Genetic Testing: Identification of inherited endocrine and metabolic disorders through genetic testing, aiding in diagnosis and personalized treatment planning.
Treatment and Management
- Diabetes Management: Comprehensive care for patients with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, including blood sugar monitoring, insulin therapy, oral medications, lifestyle counselling, and complication management.
- Thyroid Disorders: Diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer, with options including medication, radioactive iodine therapy, and surgery.
- Adrenal Disorders: Management of adrenal gland conditions such as Addison's disease, Cushing's syndrome, and adrenal tumour, with treatments including hormone replacement therapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
- Pituitary Disorders: Treatment of pituitary gland disorders such as pituitary tumour, acromegaly, and diabetes insipidus, involving medical therapy, surgery, and radiation.
- Bone and Mineral Disorders: Management of conditions like osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, and vitamin D deficiency, focusing on bone health, fracture prevention, and mineral balance.
- Obesity and Weight Management: Comprehensive care for patients with obesity, including lifestyle interventions, nutritional counselling, pharmacotherapy, and, when necessary, bariatric surgery.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Treatment of PCOS through hormonal therapy, lifestyle modifications, and management of related conditions such as insulin resistance and infertility.
- Growth Disorders: Management of growth hormone deficiencies, short stature, and other growth-related conditions in children and adults through hormone therapy and nutritional support.
- Reproductive Endocrinology: Treatment of reproductive disorders, including infertility, menstrual irregularities, and hormonal imbalances in both men and women, with options such as hormone therapy and assisted reproductive technologies.
Specialized Clinics
- Diabetes Clinic: A dedicated clinic providing personalized care for diabetes patients, including education on self-management, nutrition, and insulin therapy, as well as routine monitoring for complications like neuropathy, retinopathy, and kidney disease.
- Thyroid Clinic: Specialized care for patients with thyroid disorders, offering regular monitoring, fine-needle aspiration biopsies for thyroid nodules, and coordination of surgical or radioactive iodine treatments when needed.
- Bone Health Clinic: Focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases, including fracture risk assessment and bone-strengthening therapies.
- Metabolic Syndrome Clinic: Addressing the cluster of conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidaemia, with a focus on lifestyle changes and risk reduction for cardiovascular diseases.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Thyroid Hormone Replacement: Management of hypothyroidism with synthetic thyroid hormones to restore normal metabolic function and alleviate symptoms.
- Corticosteroid Replacement: Replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency to ensure adequate cortisol levels, critical for managing stress and maintaining bodily functions.
- Sex Hormone Replacement: Treatment for conditions like menopause, hypogonadism, and transgender hormone therapy with estrogenic, progesterone, or testosterone as appropriate.
- Growth Hormone Therapy: Administration of growth hormone for children with growth hormone deficiency and adults with pituitary dysfunction to promote normal growth and metabolic balance.
Research and Education
- Clinical Research: Involvement in cutting-edge research on endocrine and metabolic diseases, including studies on new medications, hormone therapies, and the genetic basis of endocrine disorders.
- Patient Education: Providing patients with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their conditions effectively, including education on medication use, lifestyle modifications, and self-monitoring techniques.
Multidisciplinary Care
- Collaborative Approach: Working closely with specialists in cardiology, nephrology, oncology, surgery, and other fields to provide holistic care for patients with complex endocrine and metabolic disorders.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Developing individualized care plans based on each patient's specific needs, medical history, and lifestyle to achieve the best possible outcomes.
