To make an appointment or to get more information about our Endocrinology Services, call us at 832-355-3627.
St. Luke's Endocrinology section specializes in diseases of the endocrine glands. These glands release hormones directly into the circulatory system. Common conditions treated by endocrinologists are diabetes mellitus and both overactive and underactive thyroid conditions.
Parathyroid
The four parathyroid glands, two on each side are located in the neck very close to the thyroid gland, but both have completely different functions. There are usually four small parathyroid glands but some patients may have more. The parathyroid glands produce a hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH) which is the main determinant of blood calcium concentrations. PTH regulates blood calcium levels minute-to-minute, by its effects on three target organs: bone, intestine, kidney and salivary glands. Abnormal parathyroid glands can sometimes overproduce PTH which eventually causes high calcium levels in the blood. This condition is called primary hyperparathyroidism usually due to a parathyroid adenoma. The long term adverse effects of high calcium can include kidney stones, kidney disease, osteopenia, osteoporosis, mental confusion and salivary gland stones . Most of these effects can be ameliorated with surgically correcting the abnormal parathyroid gland(s). The endocrinologists, surgeons, and radiologists at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital all work together to properly manage primary hyperparathyroidism.
Thyroid Disease
The Thyroid Gland is a butterfly-shaped gland which sits directly over the windpipe in the front of the neck. It produces thyroid hormone from iodine in two major forms, as T4 or thyroxine which is the inactive or storage form of thyroid hormone and T3 or liothyronine which is the active form of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone affects almost every tissue and helps to regulate many functions in the body including metabolism, temperature and growth.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is defined as low thyroid levels which is almost always caused by an underactive thyroid gland but rarely can be caused by an underactive pituitary gland. The most common cause of an underactive thyroid gland is Hashimoto’s disease which is an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid gland. Other less common causes of an underactive thyroid gland include damage to the thyroid from medications, infections, surgery and radiation. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, cold intolerance, irregular menstrual cycles, mood changes and difficulties with memory and concentration. Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by checking blood hormone levels and is treated with thyroid hormone replacement.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is defined as elevated thyroid levels which is most commonly caused by a thyroid gland which is overactive. Elevated thyroid levels can also be caused by damage to the thyroid gland from infection or medications which then releases stored thyroid hormone into the blood stream. When the thyroid is overactive, it is most commonly caused either by thyroid nodules which over-produce thyroid hormone or by Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disease of the thyroid which attacks the thyroid gland and the eyes. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are anxiety, panic attacks, palpitations, weight loss, fatigue, diarrhea and heat intolerance. Most forms of hyperthyroidism can be treated with medications, surgery or radioactive iodine.
Thyroid Nodules
Thyroid nodules are growths inside the thyroid gland made up of groups of abnormally reproducing thyroid cells. Although the vast majority of nodules are non-cancerous benign growths which do not cause symptoms unless by size, up to 20 percent of thyroid nodules may contain thyroid cancer. Thyroid nodules occasionally produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone but most often thyroid nodules have no significant effect on thyroid levels. It is not well understood how or why thyroid nodules develop but when they grow, they can cause an enlarged thyroid or goiter and can result in difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, choking sensation and shortness of breath. Evaluation of thyroid nodules should include a thyroid ultrasound and checking thyroid levels and may require an FNA (fine needle aspiration) biopsy, a thyroid scan and uptake study or a CT scan. If the thyroid nodules grow large enough or if there are signs of thyroid cancer, surgery may be required to remove a portion or all of the thyroid gland.
