Summary of Services
ENDOCRINOLOGY
Below are summaries of our services...
Bone Density Exams
On the day of the test, x-rays will be taken of the lower spine, hip, & forearm. It is preferable that your bone density should be tested.
Osteoporosis & Osteopenia
There are now several medications on the market for treatment. These include estrogen, bisphosphonates & newer drugs such as, Forteo and Prolia.
Osteoporosis Q&A
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that causes your bones to deteriorate and become fragile. Every day, your body breaks down old bone and replaces it with new tissue. Osteoporosis occurs when your body can’t produce enough new bone to keep up.
People of all ages and races experience osteoporosis, but it’s prevalent in post-menopausal women. Although there’s no cure for osteoporosis, it’s possible to manage and treat.
Common symptoms of osteoporosis include:
- Back pain
- Loss of height
- A hunched posture
- Frequent bone fractures
In the early stages, osteoporosis presents few symptoms. Most of the previously mentioned side-effects occur after your bone begins to weaken.
The team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas recommends scheduling an osteoporosis appointment if you went through early menopause, took corticosteroids for longer than two or three months, or if your family has a history of hip fractures.
Osteoporosis affects men and women, but several factors may increase your risk, including living a primarily sedentary lifestyle, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and smoking cigarettes.
The team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas diagnoses osteoporosis by reviewing your medical history, conducting a physical exam, and asking about your lifestyle and symptoms. They then perform a bone density scan. A bone density scan is an X-ray that assesses the mineral in your bones.
During a bone density scan, you lie down on an exam table while a scanner passes over your body. To ensure the most accurate results, the team typically focuses on scanning the hips and spine.
Treatment for osteoporosis depends on the severity of bone loss and your risk of a fracture. If you have a low risk, the team might recommend healthy lifestyle changes like eating calcium-rich foods, participating in weight-bearing exercise, and taking prescription medication.
If you have a high risk of a fracture, the team might prescribe:
- Bisphosphonates
- Monoclonal antibody medications
- Hormone-related therapy
- Bone-building medications
You might also benefit from quitting smoking, cutting back on your alcohol intake, and wearing supportive slip-resistant shoes.
Don’t wait to seek treatment for osteoporosis at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas. Book an appointment online, or call the nearest office today.
Radioactive Iodine
Thyroid Uptake/Scan is a diagnostic test used to determine the cause of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
Non-Healing Bone Fractures
Call to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that is important in regulation of blood calcium levels & bone development.
Małe Hypogonadism
The diagnosis of low testosterone, or low T, is increasingly common. As men age, they often experience fatigue, weakness, and a loss of sex drive — all symptoms of low testosterone. If you believe you might be experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Ashkan Zand, MD, and the team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas. Call the office in Houston, Pearland, or Pasadena, Texas, or request an appointment online today.
Male hypogonadism…produce enough testosterone, the hormone that plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty or has an impaired ability to produce sperm or both.
Low Testosterone Q&A
Testosterone is the primary hormone in adolescent boys and men. During puberty, testosterone helps build muscle and boosts the size of both the penis and testes.
In adulthood, sufficient testosterone levels help keep your bones and muscles healthy. Testosterone also assists men in maintaining their sex drive and adequate sperm production.
After age 30, most men experience a gradual decline in testosterone. The bottom of a man’s normal total testosterone range is roughly 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), while the upper limit hovers around 800 ng/dL.
Another reason men experience a decrease in testosterone is hypogonadism, a disease that presents in males and happens when the testicles don’t produce enough testosterone (often in the latter years of life). Men with testosterone levels under 300 ng/dL are typically diagnosed with hypogonadism.
Without sufficient levels of testosterone, your body can feel the repercussions.
According to studies, almost 40% of men older than 45 have abnormally low levels of testosterone, or low T. These low levels can cause adverse symptoms including, but not limited to:
- Decreased body hair
- Decreased muscle mass
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- The growth of excess breast tissue
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, the team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas can help determine if it’s due to low T.
Testosterone replacement therapy is most commonly used to treat men with abnormally low testosterone. Testosterone can be prescribed as pills, patches, or gel that is either applied or injected.
The team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas can offer effective treatments if you’re wrestling with the effects of low testosterone. They offer hormone testing to help determine where you stand and can create an effective treatment plan that caters to your specific needs.
To schedule an appointment to determine if you have low testosterone, call Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas, or book online today.
Diabetes
Type I (any patient over 18 years old):
Type I diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) occurs in patients that make little to no insulin, and require daily insulin injections to control their blood sugar values.
Type II (poorly controlled, frequent hypoglycemia):
Type II diabetes refers to patients that are resistant to insulin, and most of the time occurs in adulthood. Some patients can develop diabetes due to medications such as steroids, mental health medications, and weight gain.
Pre-diabetes:
Pre-diabetes is a term used for persons with either high fasting sugars (greater than 126) or blood sugars going into 140-199 range 2 hours after a sugar load.
Gestational diabetes / pregnant patients with diabetes:
Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and often can have many causes. High blood sugars during pregnancy can cause larger babies, increase complications during pregnancy, and create other concerns for mom and baby. The goal is to normalize blood sugars during pregnancy so these do not happen. Diabetic patients (both type I and type II) that become pregnant or patients that become diabetic during pregnancy have stricter blood sugar targets than non-pregnant patients, and need closer monitoring to prevent complications.
Starting and managing insulin pump therapy (most pump brands supported):
Many diabetic patients are eligible for an insulin pump which is an external pump device worn by patients. Insulin pumps are proving to be better at delivering insulin and lower blood sugars more safely in certain type I and type II diabetic patients.
Diabetes Q&A
Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of chronic conditions that affect the way your body uses blood sugar. Blood sugar fuels your brain and provides energy for the cells in your muscles and tissues, but too much increases your risk of serious health problems, including nerve damage or a heart attack.
At Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas, the team treats all types of diabetes, including:
Prediabetes
Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar remains higher than normal for an extended period. With early intervention, treatment, and healthy lifestyle changes, it’s possible to prevent prediabetes from worsening.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes causes your body’s immune system to attack the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas if the pancreas doesn’t create enough insulin, your blood sugar levels spike.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects the way your body processes glucose (blood sugar). If you have type 2 diabetes, your pancreas is resistant to or doesn’t produce enough insulin, allowing sugar to build up in your bloodstream.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women. During pregnancy, the body releases excess hormones to protect and support the growing fetus. Sometimes, these hormones cause insulin resistance. In most instances, gestational diabetes resolves after you give birth.
To diagnose diabetes, the team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas conducts a physical exam and reviews your health history. They then order a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test, which measures your average blood sugar levels over several months.
A reading of 6.5% or greater on two separate tests indicates diabetes. If the results of your A1C test aren’t consistent, the team might recommend additional testing, including a random blood sugar test, a fasting blood sugar test, or an oral glucose tolerance test.
Diabetes treatment depends on the underlying type and severity of your symptoms. If you have prediabetes, the team might recommend healthy lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet, losing weight, or exercising more frequently.
If you have Type 2 diabetes, it’s important to regularly monitor your blood sugar, eat healthily, and exercise. You might also benefit from insulin therapy or oral medication.
Type 1 diabetes requires insulin therapy. Insulin therapy uses injectable insulin or an insulin pump to keep your blood sugar levels in the optimal range.
If you’re concerned about your risk of diabetes, request a consultation at the Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas. Book an appointment online, or call the nearest office today.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM technology)
A continuous glucose monitor sensor is a small device the size of a quarter that is provides readings close to blood sugar readings every 5 minutes. There are two of types of sensors, a personal unit which a person can wear continuously and have access to sensor values and blood sugar trends. Or patients can wear a sensor short term 3-5 days to help evaluate their insulin doses or pump settings. Both types of sensors can be downloaded by your doctor and create great reports with graphs indications possible periods of low and high blood sugars. CGM is one of the best ways optimize insulin doses and pump settings.
CGM testing helps to determine your blood glucose pattern with an effort to better manage your blood sugar.
3 HR Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Patients are given a sugar containing solution to drink. Blood sugar is measured hourly to monitor the body’s response to sugar.
Thyroid Problems
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (high thyroid):
Thyroid hormone is an essential hormone that controls almost every organ in the body including heart, digestive system, skin/hair, nervous system, metabolism, and reproduction. Hypothyroidism is a term used to refer to low thyroid hormone levels, and hyperthyroidism refers to an overactive thyroid gland or increased thyroid hormone levels.
Thyroid nodules:
A thyroid nodule is a lump or an irregular area of the thyroid gland, and very common with some studies showing 20% of the population has a thyroid nodule. That’s 1 in 5 people! Although usually they are benign, unfortunately a thyroid nodules is often how thyroid cancer is initially diagnosed. Your endocrinologist can help you determine if a nodule is worrisome or not, ways to determine this, and help you determine if a thyroid biopsy is needed. They can also explain this procedure to you in detail as they routinely perform these biopsies in our office.
Thyroid Cancer:
Whether, newly diagnosed or history of thyroid cancer, we guide patients from diagnosis, to surgical options, and follow patients for cancer surveillance. In addition, some patients might need radioactive treatment. Thyroid cancer is a malignancy of the thyroid gland, and there are different kinds of thyroid cancer with different treatment strategies. Our physicians focus on helping patients from initial diagnosis to treatment. Also, we manage patients who have had thyroid cancer removed, monitor for potential regrowth and help prevent cancer from returning.
Thyroid Disorders Q&A
The thyroid is a small gland near the base of your neck. It’s part of the endocrine system and produces hormones that regulate your metabolism. A thyroid disorder occurs when your thyroid gland produces too many or too few hormones. Without diagnosis and treatment, thyroid disorders increase your risk of other, more serious health problems.
The team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas treats all types of thyroid disorders, including:
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid produces too few hormones. Common symptoms include fatigue, dry skin, memory problems, and constipation.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism affects about 1% of women and occurs when your thyroid produces too many hormones. Common symptoms include restlessness, nervousness, irritability, and trouble sleeping.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis causes your body’s immune system to attack the thyroid. Over time, this prevents it from producing enough hormones, resulting in hypothyroidism. Common symptoms include fatigue, mild weight gain, and thinning hair.
Grave’s disease
Grave’s disease affects about 1 in every 200 people. It causes your body to mistakenly attack the thyroid, causing it to overproduce hormones. Common symptoms include anxiety, hand tremors, and irritability.
Goiter
Goiters cause your thyroid gland to swell and expand. They’re noncancerous and typically occur due to iodine deficiency. Symptoms include swelling or tightness in the neck, coughing, or difficulty breathing.
Thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules are small growths that develop on your thyroid gland. Most are benign, but some are cancerous. Most nodules are so little they don’t cause symptoms. If they continue to grow, you might experience neck pain or difficulty breathing.
The team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas diagnoses a thyroid disorder by conducting a physical exam, reviewing your health history, and asking about your symptoms and lifestyle. Afterward, they order several blood tests, including:
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
T4: Thyroxine
FT4: Free T4 or free thyroxine
T3: Triiodothyronine
FT3: Free T3 or triiodothyronine
These tests cannot diagnose a specific disorder, but they can alert the team to low, high, or otherwise abnormal hormone production.
Treatment of a thyroid disorder typically includes a combination of healthy lifestyle changes and prescription medication. Depending on the type of condition you have, the team might prescribe anti-thyroid drugs, beta-blockers, or radioactive iodine.
If medication and lifestyle changes don’t ease your symptoms, thyroidectomy may be necessary. This type of surgery removes your thyroid gland to stop it from making hormones.
To receive treatment for a thyroid disorder, request a consultation at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas. Book an appointment online or call the nearest office today.
Abnormal Calcium Levels
High calcium levels evaluation/ hyperparathyroidism:
Calcium levels are closely regulated by the body via the parathyroid glands. There are four glands that reside behind the thyroid gland and sometimes one or more glands become overactive. When this happens patients can develop very high calcium levels which can make them significantly ill including causing severe fatigue, frequent urination, dehydration, and even require hospitalization
Low calcium levels evaluation/ hypoparathryoidism management:
Calcium levels are closely regulated by the body via the parathyroid glands. There are four glands that reside behind the thyroid gland and sometimes these glands stop working. Low calcium levels can make patients significantly ill including causing severe cramping and muscle spasm, numbness and tingling, fatigue, and severe muscle weakness and even require hospitalization
Parathyroid disorders
High calcium levels evaluation/ hyperparathyroidism:
Adrenal insufficiency refers to low or underactive adrenal gland function. The adrenal glands make hormones that help maintain blood pressure among other things, and low adrenal function can be a medical emergency. Luckily adrenal insufficiency is rare and can be safely evaluated and treated by an endocrinologist.
Low calcium levels evaluation/ hypoparathryoidism management:
An adrenal nodule refers to a lump, growth, or abnormalities in the adrenal glands. Sometimes these nodules are benign, but often they can produce hormones or even be how adrenal cancer is initially diagnosed.
Adrenal disorders
Adrenal insufficiency evaluation/ management:
Cortisol is a stress hormone made by the adrenal glands that has many effects throughout the body. Too much cortisol can cause significant weight gain, acne, fatigue, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, high blood sugars/diabetes, and many other symptoms.
Adrenal nodules:
High blood pressure is very common as people age. If high blood pressure was diagnosed at an early age (20s to 30s) or is difficult to control on many blood pressure agents then it may be caused by a hormonal problem and require further evaluation.
Elevated cortisol (Cushing’s syndrome) evaluation:
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It controls breast milk production during pregnancy, but in some patients may be elevated when they are not pregnant and cause breast discharge and irregular periods. Pituitary tumors can sometimes cause elevations in prolactin.
Severe high blood pressure/hyperaldosteronism:
The pituitary gland is a small gland attached at the base of the brain also called the master gland because it controls many endocrine hormones. Abnormal growths or irregular areas of the pituitary gland often are caused by both benign and malignant tumors. The pituitary gland makes many hormones, so it is important to evaluate these hormones in addition to determine if tumors are benign or malignant.
Adrenal Glands Disorders Q&A
The adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands that rest on top of your kidneys. Each gland has two separate parts –– an outer region, called the adrenal cortex, and an inner region called the adrenal medulla.
The adrenal cortex produces hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, and DHEA. These hormones help regulate your metabolism, nervous system, and immune system. The adrenal medulla produces adrenaline, a hormone that affects your heart rate and blood pressure.
Yes. If your adrenal glands produce too many or too few hormones, it can cause various issues that affect your health and quality of life. The adrenal glands can also develop cancer, resulting in adrenal tumors and metastases (cancerous growths throughout the body).
At Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas, the team treats various disorders that affect the adrenal glands, including:
Adrenal cancer
Adrenal cancer is a rare but aggressive type of cancer that attacks the outer layer of the adrenal glands (adrenal cortex). Common symptoms include abdominal pain, high blood pressure, and unexplained weight loss.
Adrenal incidentaloma
An adrenal incidentaloma is a type of tumor that develops on the adrenal gland. These tumors are typically larger than one centimeter and can be cancerous or benign.
Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency)
Addison’s disease affects about four in every 100,0000 people. It occurs when the adrenal glands produce too few hormones. Over time, this causes your immune system to attack and destroy the adrenal glands, resulting in potentially life-threatening consequences.
Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease is the opposite of Addison’s disease – it speeds up hormone production, resulting in excess cortisol. Common symptoms include unexplained weight gain, tiredness, high blood pressure, and increased acne. Cushing’s disease can affect people of all ages.
To diagnose disorders of the adrenal glands, the team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas conducts a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and reviews your health history. Afterward, they order laboratory and imaging tests to gain additional insights.
After determining the cause of your symptoms, they develop a custom treatment plan to align with your needs. That might include:
- Prescription medication
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Dietary changes
To learn more about the treatment of disorders of the adrenal glands, schedule an appointment at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas. Call the nearest office to speak with a team member or book online today.
ACTH Stimulation Test
Monitor your adrenal glands’ response to ACTH.
Pituitary disorders
Prolactinomas:
Diabetes insipidus is a medical condition which causes frequent urination regardless of how much water a patient drinks and can often cause significant dehydration and elevated sodium levels.
Pituitary tumors:
The pituitary gland makes growth hormone and patients can suffer from both deficiency of this hormone (often due to history of head trauma, concussions, or surgery or radiation to the brain). Other patients have too much growth hormone levels which can cause abnormal growth and significant body changes.
Diabetes insipidus/excess urination:
Cushing syndrome refers to too much cortisol production by the body. It is a complicated medical condition that can either arise from problems in the pituitary gland or adrenal glands. It can also be caused by medications such as steroid use.
Growth hormone deficiency or excess:
The pituitary gland makes growth hormone and patients can suffer from both deficiency of this hormone (often due to history of head trauma, concussions, or surgery or radiation to the brain). Other patients have too much growth hormone levels which can cause abnormal growth and significant body changes.
Cushing’s Syndrome:
Cushing syndrome refers to too much cortisol production by the body. It is a complicated medical condition that can either arise from problems in the pituitary gland or adrenal glands. It can also be caused by medications such as steroid use.
Pituitary Disorders Q&A
Pituitary disorders occur when your pituitary gland –– a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain –– produces too much or too little of a particular hormone.
Pituitary disorders occur for various reasons, but they’re usually caused by a tumor. The majority of pituitary tumors are non-cancerous, but depending on their location, they may trigger a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.
Common symptoms of pituitary disorders include:
- Anxiety or depression
- Irregular menstrual periods
- High blood pressure
- Unexplained weight gain
- Vision changes
- Low energy
- Low sex drive
Some people with pituitary disorders also experience slow growth or unusual growth spurts.
Pituitary disorders fall into two categories –– secretory tumors and non-secretory tumors.
Secretory tumors
Secretory tumors affect your pituitary gland’s ability to produce certain hormones. Some people produce too many hormones (hypersecretion); others produce too few (hyposecretion).
Non-secretory tumors
Non-secretory tumors don’t affect your pituitary gland’s ability to produce hormones. Instead, they slowly grow in size and begin pressing on the pituitary gland or other structures in the brain. Over time, this pressure can result in blurred vision or other cognitive problems.
Some of the most common pituitary disorders include Cushing disease, growth hormone deficiency, and prolactinoma.
At Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas, the team diagnoses pituitary disorders by conducting a physical exam, reviewing your health history, and asking about your symptoms. Afterward, they order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a high-resolution computerized tomography (CT) scan of your brain and pituitary gland.
These diagnostic imaging procedures can detect tumors and other pituitary gland-related disorders.
Treatment of pituitary disorders typically involves a combination of radiation therapy and prescription medication. When combined, these treatments can minimize the size of the tumor, allowing your pituitary gland to function normally.
If the tumor continues to grow in size, or it presses against your optic nerves, surgery may be necessary. Thanks to modern tools and scientific advances, it’s possible to remove most pituitary tumors using minimally invasive techniques.
If you’d like to learn more about pituitary disorders, make an appointment at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas. Call the nearest office to speak with a team member or book online today.
Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy
Thyroid hormone doses often need to be increased during pregnancy, so your doctor will most likely recommend repeating your labs several times during pregnancy.
Obesity
Abnormal weight gain evaluation:
Weight gain is considered abnormal if a patient is obese based on BMI (BMI greater than 30). A BMI greater than 40 is considered severe obesity with many medical problems that can develop from this weight. Abnormal weight gain may also refer to a significant amount of weight gain in a short time span (6 months for example).
Difficulty with weight loss treatments (medical and surgical options):
There are currently many dietary, lifestyle modifications, medical and surgical options for management of weight gain and difficulty with weight loss.
Women’s Hormonal Health
Irregular menstrual periods/heavy periods:
A woman should have a menstrual period once a month, every 28 days or so depending on her body. Skipping of menstrual periods, absence of periods, or periods that are much heavier or lighter than usual may be caused by a number of hormonal abnormalities.
Menopause and hormone replacement therapy:
Menopause refers to the absence of periods for a woman for over 12 months from last menstrual period. Normally it occurs to women in their 40s-50s. If menstrual periods stop for a woman in her 20-30s this is considered abnormal and requires evaluation.
Hot flashes:
Hot flashes refers to a sudden feeling of hot, flushing and even redness that occurs to women during menopause likely as a result of sudden decreased hormone levels. The exact cause is still under investigation. Symptoms tend to occur in the face, neck, upper chest and seem to be caused by dilation of blood vessels trying to cool off the skin. There are a number of ways to treat these symptoms particularly if they affect sleep, quality of life, work, or are just too disruptive to everyday life for a woman.
Infertility / PCOS / abnormal hair growth:
A woman should have a menstrual period once per month about every 28 days with duration of actual period varying. If a woman has irregular periods there may be a cause such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS presents with abnormal periods, sometimes abnormal hair growth, and other metabolic problems like higher cholesterol, blood sugars and blood pressure. PCOS can be treated effectively in women who go on to have regular periods and may even be able to get pregnant and have children.
Bone health/osteoporosis: Our bones are the foundation to the body. Unfortunately as men and women age, they often suffer from bone loss. Women lose bone faster than men particularly after menopause. Evaluation of bone health and early detection of osteoporosis can prevent fractures and even reverse some bone loss.
Low energy/fatigue: Although we all lead very active and demanding lives, there are some patients with significant fatigue caused by hormonal abnormalities. It is best to discuss these symptoms with your physician to determine if there is an endocrine cause requiring evaluation.
Men’s Hormonal Health
Low testosterone (hypogonadism) evaluation:
Low testosterone can cause significant fatigue, weight gain, decreased sex drive/interest in sexual activity, erectile disorder, and even mood changes in men. It is very important to establish a cause for low testosterone before treating, as most men in their 20s to 50s should not suffer from testosterone deficiency. Also, treating the cause for low testosterone is key as this can often raise a man’s ability to produce adequate testosterone on his own. If testosterone therapy is indicated, then appropriate dosing and monitoring of levels is key to prevent complications.
Testosterone therapy/management:
Testosterone therapy can be both successfully and safely done in the hands of an experienced provider. Many patients can feel much better on testosterone replacement, but it is also important to honestly assess if therapy is helping or not. In certain cases the risks of testosterone therapy may outweigh the benefits.
Erectile dysfunction:
Erectile dysfunction refers to either decreased or absent early morning erections, or inability to get or maintain an erection which interferes with the ability to have sexual intercourse. In addition to low testosterone, medications and a number of health problems such as poorly controlled high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes can cause erectile dysfunction.
Bone health:
Our bones are the foundation to the body. Unfortunately as men and women age, they often suffer from bone loss. Women lose bone faster than men particularly after menopause. However, more and more men are developing osteoporosis or hip and spine fractures due to aging of the population. Evaluation of bone health and early detection of osteoporosis can prevent fractures and even reverse some bone loss.
Weight problems:
Weight gain is considered abnormal if a patient is obese based on BMI (BMI greater than 30). A BMI greater than 40 is considered severe obesity with many medical problems that can develop from this weight. Abnormal weight gain may also refer to a significant amount of weight gain in a short time span (6 months for example).
Low energy/fatigue:
Although we all lead very active and demanding lives, there are some patients with significant fatigue caused by hormonal abnormalities. It is best to discuss these symptoms with your physician to determine if there is an endocrine cause.
Abnormal Calcium Levels
High calcium levels evaluation/ hyperparathyroidism:
Calcium levels are closely regulated by the body via the parathyroid glands. There are four glands that reside behind the thyroid gland and sometimes one or more glands become overactive. When this happens patients can develop very high calcium levels which can make them significantly ill including causing severe fatigue, frequent urination, dehydration, and even require hospitalization
Low calcium levels evaluation/ hypoparathryoidism management:
Calcium levels are closely regulated by the body via the parathyroid glands. There are four glands that reside behind the thyroid gland and sometimes these glands stop working. Low calcium levels can make patients significantly ill including causing severe cramping and muscle spasm, numbness and tingling, fatigue, and severe muscle weakness and even require hospitalization
High Blood Pressure
Although high blood pressure is often just due to genetics and sometimes due to aging, in some patients there may be a hormonal cause. For example, patients diagnosed with high blood pressure in their 20s or 30s, and patients on multiple blood pressure medications may have hormonal causes for high blood pressure and need evaluation.
High cholesterol, triglycerides
In some situations very high cholesterol or triglycerides levels are more challenging to treat and warrant evaluation by an endocrinologist. Certain patients, like diabetics or patients with history of a heart attack or stents often have more aggressive targets for LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
High Cholesterol Q&A
While it's not an endocrine disorder, high cholesterol can compromise your general health. When you've got high cholesterol, plaque, which is primarily made up of cholesterol, fat, and cellular waste, accumulates inside your arteries.
When plaque accumulates, it makes it harder for your blood to move through your arteries. When your blood can't move through your arteries in an uninhibited manner, your heart and brain can't function properly, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
There are various risk factors for high cholesterol, including:
- Diet that's high in fat, sugar, and cholesterol
- Family history of high cholesterol
- Age — 45 or older for men; 55 and older for women
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Smoking
During your annual physicals at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas, Dr. Zand notes your risk factors and may perform a blood test to check your cholesterol levels.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are also known as good cholesterol. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are often referred to as bad cholesterol. Your HDL pulls LDL out of your blood. Triglycerides, which are the harmful fats in your blood, also contribute to your cholesterol levels.
A good combined cholesterol score (including HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) is under 200. If your cholesterol score is over 240, you have high cholesterol. If your cholesterol score is between 200-239, you have borderline high cholesterol.
If you have high cholesterol, Dr. Zand and the team at Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas can help you lower it to a healthy range. Often, you can lower your cholesterol levels by altering your diet and lifestyle. This can include:
- Losing excess weight
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a healthy diet that's low in cholesterol and trans fats
- Monitoring your cholesterol levels
- Avoiding alcohol
If you can't achieve healthy cholesterol levels after implementing the lifestyle modifications provided by Dr. Zand, you may need to use prescription medication to lower your cholesterol levels. You'll work together with
Dr. Zand to manage your cholesterol levels and improve your health.
To schedule an appointment for high cholesterol, call Endocrinology and Osteoporosis Centers of Texas or book online today.
Nutrition/Healthy Living
Diet and endocrinology are closely linked and integral to patients overall well-being. Endocrinologist are experts in metabolism and also knowledgeable on balanced nutrition, dietary supplementation with vitamins/minerals, and can help you find a right diet to meet your weight, energy, and healthy lifestyle goals.