Endocrinology diagnosis

We are able to offer clinical examination, consultation and diagnostic testing to investigate vague symptoms such as tiredness, weight gain or weight loss, abnormal periods, neck swellings or lumps, thirst or excess urination. We can determine if you have any of the following endocrinology conditions:

• Type 1 diabetes: usually starts in children/adolescents and is caused by the destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas, resulting in a decline in insulin production.
• Type 2 diabetes: a metabolic disorder usually seen from middle age onwards. Characterised by increasing insulin resistance, even though insulin production may be fairly normal.
• Thyroid disorders: the preliminary test measures blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which can show whether you have hyperthyroidism (your thyroid gland is overactive) or hypothyroidism (your thyroid is underactive). We also investigate the underlying cause to determine the most effective treatment in your case. Thyroid nodules are evaluated by specialist radiologists using ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology undertaken at The Physicians Clinic.
• Pituitary disorders: various problems with the pituitary gland, which lies deep within the brain, can be diagnosed with blood tests to measure levels of key hormones, and by an MRI scan of the brain.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): we diagnose PCOS using a combination of clinical examinations, transvaginal ultrasound to examine the ovaries, and blood tests to measure hormone levels.
• Adrenal disorders: diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency and syndromes of cortisol excess with blood tests and MRI scan. Evaluation of adrenal nodules found incidentally during imaging for other conditions.
• Bone disorders: blood tests and scans for a variety of disorders including osteoporosis and hyperparathyroidism.

Diagnostic tests in endocrinology at The Physicians’ Clinic

• Blood sampling to send off to the appropriate specialist laboratories; result time varies with the complexity of the test but some results are available in six hours. Others do take a week or so.
• CT scanning, ultrasound, X-ray studies and MRI scanning.

Nuclear medicine scanning and dynamic function tests not available in the clinic itself can be organised at The Harley Street Clinic or one of the other private hospitals nearby.

Endocrinology treatments available

• Diabetes: We also use the latest technology and equipment for glucose monitoring, and some of our patients use insulin pumps to deliver their insulin. Your endocrinology consultant can also provide access to specialists who can help you to understand and avoid, as far as possible, the complications of diabetes.
  • Type 1 diabetes: modern basal-bolus insulin injection regimes with support from specialist nurse and dietician teams and including insulin pump therapy. Lifestyle advice and coaching is combined with other management methods such as dose adjustment for normal eating (DAFNE)/carbohydrate management principles where appropriate for adults with type 1 diabetes.
  • Type 2 diabetes: oral hypoglycaemic agents, insulin and new GLP-I agonist therapy. We see patients with type 2 diabetes and provide direct access to our diabetes lifestyle advisor, Ivor Cradock, our diabetes nurse and our dietician.
• Thyroid disorders: anti-thyroid drug therapy and consideration of radioiodine and surgery as the most appropriate treatment for hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormone preparations including T3 where indicated for hypothyroidism.
• Pituitary disorders: hormone replacement therapy for pituitary failure and therapies to reduce excess hormone secretion by pituitary tumours.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome: management with anti-androgen therapies.
• Adrenal disorders: steroid replacement and specialist treatment of syndromes of cortisol excess.
• Bone disorders: A variety of medical treatments are used to treat bone disorders. Surgery may be indicated to exclude primary hyperparathyroidism.