In most cases, endocrinologists at St. Luke's can recommend and provide appropriate treatment for patients at St. Luke's. Our academically oriented staff keeps abreast of the latest breakthroughs in the treatment of endocrinologic disorders.
Some of the primary illness that we see and treat include:
Thyroid Disease
An overactive thyroid may be treated with antithyroid drugs, surgery or radioactive iodine. Generally, both overactive and underactive thyroid disorders are treated on an outpatient basis.
Graves disease or hyperthroidism is when i131 ablation is undetected calling for a total thyroidectomy.
Thyroid Pre-Op
All studies are ordered to evaluate the thyroid for possible surgery by a surgeon, endocrinologist or internist and may be followed by lab work and ultrasound thyroid with or without a FNA (needle biopsy) and a 4D CT scan. Some patients may also have a thyroid nuclear medicine scan, as well as, possible lab work for thyroid CBC, bleeding and clotting or nodule. Some patients might also have a cardiac evaluation, which is up to their physician’s discretion.
Patients may not take aspirin, Advil or anticoagulants before surgery; this will be discussed with their surgeon, endocrinologist or internist prior to their surgery.
On the day of surgery, the patient will arrive at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital and his/her procedure may be done as an inpatient or outpatient.
Thyroid Post-Op
Following surgery, the patient will visit his/her surgeon, endocrinologist or internist for removal of his/her sutures and drain, if needed.
Patients are not to exercise for two to three weeks, must keep the site dry and may return to work after one week or later. Like before surgery, patients are not to take aspirin, Advil or anticoagulants until told so by their physician.
Parathyroid
Parathyroids are mainly adenomas and occur in hyperplasia, where more than one parathyroid gland is involved. Cancer accounts for less than 1 percent of diagnoses. If surgery is needed, general anesthesia is given for the minimally invasive procedure and it can be done as either an inpatient or outpatient. Hyperplasia thyroidism draws calcium from the bone, causing osterporosis, kidney stones or kidney disease.
Parathyroid Pre-Op
You will have a parathyroidectomy if your work up shows elevated calcium due to a parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands. These studies include ultrasounds, labs, nuclear scans and a 4D CT prior to parathyroidectomy.
Patients are not to take aspirin, Advil or anticoagulants 10 days before parathyroidectomy. This surgery will be coordinated with your physician or cardiologist. A possible stress test or EKG might also be needed.
On the day of surgery, you will arrive at St. Luke's and receive general anesthesia. This procedure may be done as an inpatient or outpatient.
Parathyroid Post-Op
Follow up includes a visit to your physician for the removal or sutures and drain, if needed.
Patients are not to exercise for two to three weeks, except for walking. Keep the site dry until told by your physician it is acceptable to get wet. Returning to work varies for each patient but is usually about one week.
Parathyroidectomys may also be done minimally invasively.
Thyroid Nodule
Possible surgical options can be done endoscopically or robotic and include a total thyroidectomy followed by radioacive i131. Surgery can be intpatient or outpatient with the patient back to work in a week and three weeks for exercise.
Thyroid Cancer
