The endocrine system is comprised of glands and organs that secrete hormones the body needs to function properly. The program’s expert endocrinologists evaluate and manage endocrine-related diseases that are common in the United Arab Emirates such as diabetes; disorders of the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands; metabolic bone disease; and obesity.
Medical conditions treated by the Endocrinology Program team include:
The caregivers in the Endocrinology Program also treat obesity, including the screening and management of associated disorders such as:
- Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Pituitary hormone disturbances
- Thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- Thyroid cancer
- Osteoporosis (a condition when the quality and density of bone is reduced)
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in blood)
- Hypocalcemia (too little calcium in blood)
- Paget’s disease of the bone (disease that makes bones fragile and misshapen)
- Osteomalacia (softening of the bones)
- Transplant-related bone loss
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis of Endocrine Conditions
Endocrinology Program caregivers use a multidisciplinary approach to diagnose and treat endocrine diseases. At the first visit, the patient is asked to provide a thorough medical history and has a physical examination. Depending on the patient’s symptoms, specific laboratory tests and imaging studies will be ordered. Laboratory studies may include:
- Blood and urine tests: Tests that use samples of the patient’s blood or urine to measure the levels of specific hormones.
- Imaging studies: Tests that create pictures of an organ or area of the body. Imaging studies used may include x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, parathyroid and thyroid scans, and bone densitometry scans (also called DEXA scans; dual energy x-rays that assess bone mineral density).
- Dynamic Testing: Study when two or more samples of blood are tested at specified times. Diseases involving the pituitary and adrenal glands may require this type of testing.
Treatment of Endocrine Conditions
Treatment depends on the patient’s specific diagnosis, but often relies on medication.
Thyroid cancer and thyroid disorders are treated with radioactive iodine therapy, though surgery may also be needed. In these cases, our endocrinologists work in close collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s team of experienced surgeons. Radioactive iodine therapy is currently not available at CCAD.
Some conditions, such as diabetes, dyslipidemia (condition marked by too much LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol), and obesity will also require the guidance of a nutritionist and patient educator, who are part of the Endocrinology Program team.
Follow-up visits are tailored according to each patient’s condition. Laboratory studies and repeat imaging may be ordered in the follow-up period if needed.
Endocrinology Program Caregivers
All members of the Endocrinology Program team are experienced in the field of endocrinology and metabolism. Caregivers involved in patient care for this program are:
- Endocrinologists
- Pathologists
- Radiologists
- Psychiatrists
- Surgeons
- Nurses
- Nutritionists
- Patient educators
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