Diabetes
High blood sugar, or blood glucose, is the primary symptom of diabetes, a chronic disease in which your body either can’t produce, or can’t use, the insulin required to regulate blood sugar levels. There are three kinds of diabetes: type 1 (the inability to produce insulin), type 2 (the inability to use insulin produced by the body), and gestational (a temporary condition that occurs only during pregnancy).
If your doctor suspects you have diabetes, there are number of blood tests that we’ll do to confirm the diagnosis. We can also work with you to prevent the onset of diabetes if you’re at high risk for the condition.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which your body is either losing bone or making too little bone, often as the result of age-related hormonal changes, a lack of calcium, or deficiency in vitamin D. When you have osteoporosis, your bones become brittle and you are increased risk of fractions and breaks from minor falls and even light pressure on the body.
We use dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) or bone densitometry to measure your bone mineral density and to assess your risk for osteoporosis. Your doctor can monitor your bones’ health over time and can help you manage your risk by prescribing medication or recommending dietary changes and weight-bearing exercise to promote bone strength.
Thyroid Disease
When your thyroid gland—located in the front of your neck—isn’t functioning properly, you can develop a variety of ailments. Most of the problems are the result of either hypothyroidism, when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, or hyperthyroidism, when it produces an excess.
Because the hormones your thyroid produces regulate many activities in your body, symptoms like weight gain or loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and irritability may be the first sign of thyroid problems.
To diagnose a thyroid disease, one of our endocrinologists will review your symptoms and family history, and then use a series of blood tests to confirm your hormone levels. Using these findings, we’ll be able to offer you the best possible treatment options, from simple diet supplements and exercise to medication and surgery.
Metabolic Disorder
There are hundreds of different metabolic disorders. Some are inherited and some develop when your liver or pancreas don’t function properly. Symptoms and treatments vary widely. To diagnose a metabolic syndrome, we’ll conduct a variety of blood tests and measurements.