Diabetes and endocrinology treatment at The Christ Hospital Health Network
Some endocrine conditions caused by hormone imbalance have symptoms so mild they don’t require treatment. Others, however, cause unpleasant symptoms like rapid heartbeat or excessive fatigue, or have serious health consequences like uncontrolled diabetes.
Our specialists take a detailed medical history and complete any needed lab work or advanced imaging tests to determine what’s causing your hormonal issues. Treatment is customized to address your specific needs and goals.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes can often help reduce, or even eliminate, the symptoms of an endocrine disorder and help you get control of your health. The experts at The Christ Hospital Health Network will work with you to develop a game plan that prompts healthy choices and gives you a blueprint for success.
We’ll help you:
Incorporate exercise into your daily routine
Make healthy food choices
Manage stress
Reach and maintain a healthy weight
Stop smoking ]
Medication
If your body produces too much or too little of certain hormones, synthetic hormones may provide balance and alleviate your symptoms.
Medications include:
Insulin—one or more injections every day may be needed to lower your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Oral medications—pills, capsules or tablets are often used to lower blood sugar and prompt balance for hormone levels that are too high or too low in conditions like over- or under-active thyroid, malfunctioning adrenal glands or pituitary disorders.
Ointments or gels—topical application may be used for hormone replacement therapy.
Surgery
Endocrine surgery may be needed if you have growths, excessive swelling or cancer that cannot be effectively treated with non-surgical treatment options . We work with general surgeons with expertise in endocrine procedures to get you the best care possible. Those surgical procedures include:
Adrenalectomy—removal of one or both of your adrenal glands.
Pancreatic surgery—treatment for pancreatic tumors or growths.
Parathyroid surgery—removal of your parathyroid gland or any abnormal growths it contains.
Thyroid surgery—some or all of your thyroid gland is removed.
Ultrasound guided biopsy—removal of a small tissue sample for further examination.
Inpatient diabetes care
If you have diabetes and require hospitalization to address other health issues, your doctor or hospitalist may work with an endocrinologist to assist in managing your diabetes care during your stay.
Our inpatient diabetes services will help you control your blood sugar levels to lower your risk of developing complications. We monitor your blood glucose throughout the day and limit your carbohydrates during meals. If you are on oral diabetes medication, we will discontinue their use temporarily and use insulin to lower elevated blood glucose levels as they occur.
While you are admitted, nurse diabetes educators and registered dietitians are available for consultation. If you need further care, diabetes education is also available on an outpatient basis.