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Endocrine diseases are diseases caused by abnormalities and improper balance of hormones secreted by the body. The Diabetes and Endocrine Center deals with endocrine diseases such as diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, thyroid nodules and cancer, osteoporosis, bone metabolic diseases, adrenal diseases, pituitary diseases, and menopausal syndrome.

Additionally, the Diabetes and Endocrine Center also deals with endocrine diseases such as osteoporosis, bone metabolic diseases, adrenal diseases, pituitary diseases, and menopausal syndrome.

Diabetes and Endocrine Center (Endocrinology and Metabolism)

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases worldwide and is increasing rapidly. Early detection may be difficult because there are no clear symptoms in the beginning, and if not treated appropriately, the incidence of complications such as chronic kidney disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, stroke, and cardiovascular disease greatly increases. Diabetes is a disease closely related to lifestyle habits, and maintaining appropriate lifestyle habits is very important in treating diabetes.

The Diabetes and Endocrine Center aims to improve the quality of life of diabetics and maintain a healthy life by preventing and managing complications through early diagnosis of diabetes and complications and customized treatment according to individual characteristics. To realize this, we are building a systematic education, examination, and treatment system, and experts such as specialists, diabetes education nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, exercise prescriptions, and social workers work together as a team to help people with diabetes take control of their own diabetes. We are working hard to provide education.

thyroid clinic

The thyroid clinic in the Diabetes and Endocrine Center is a one-stop system that provides treatment for thyroid nodules, ultrasound examination, and fine needle suction cytology in a single visit to diagnose thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer, which are rapidly increasing in recent years. Equipped with In addition, when surgery is necessary, we maintain an organic cooperation system to ensure that the surgery can be performed quickly and safely.

◎ Thyroid nodules and cancer

The thyroid gland is located below the thyroid cartilage in the front neck and is an endocrine organ that secretes thyroid hormones essential to our body. Thyroid lumps, or thyroid nodules, are very common and are found more often in older people, especially in women. Most thyroid nodules are benign, so there is no problem leaving them as is, but about 5% are malignant nodules, that is, thyroid cancer, so a fine needle aspiration cytology test may be necessary to determine whether they are malignant. At the Ilsan Paik Hospital Thyroid Clinic, we have simplified the treatment process so that treatment for thyroid nodules and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology can be completed in one visit and only one more visit is required to confirm the test results (same-day fine needle aspiration cytology available time: Tuesday) afternoon, Wednesday morning, Thursday morning). If appointments are full or in exceptional cases, same-day testing may not be possible. If malignant cells are found in fine needle aspiration cytology, surgical treatment such as thyroidectomy should be considered. The thyroid clinic maintains an organic cooperation system so that when surgery is necessary, it can be performed quickly and safely. Additionally, after thyroid cancer surgery, we take thyroid hormones, treat hypocalcemia that may occur as a complication of surgery, and manage long-term recurrence.

◎ Thyroid dysfunction

- Hyperthyroidism: Graves' disease is common, but thyroid hormones may increase even in the acute stage of simple thyroid inflammation or Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Common symptoms include weight loss, feeling hot, trembling hands, rapid heartbeat, increased bowel movements, and, in women, decreased menstrual flow. For accurate differential diagnosis, in addition to thyroid function tests, autoimmune antibody tests and radioisotope imaging are performed.

- Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism caused by chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) is common and causes weight gain, swollen face, lack of energy, feeling cold, and heavy menstrual flow. It is difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone, and thyroid hormone testing, examination for goiter, and appropriate administration of thyroid hormone medication are required.

- Osteoporosis and bone metabolic diseases: Early diagnosis is important because osteoporosis progresses without symptoms until a fracture occurs. Bone density is measured and vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and calcium levels related to bone metabolism are tested, and when osteoporosis is diagnosed, treatment and management are provided. In addition to osteoporosis, we also provide diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to bone metabolism, such as hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, vitamin D deficiency, and hypocalcemia.

◎ Adrenal gland disease

- Endocrine hypertension: Cushing's syndrome, primary aldosteronism, and pheochromocytoma are caused by specific hormones secreted by the adrenal glands and commonly cause high blood pressure. Therefore, in cases of high blood pressure that occurs at a young age or malignant high blood pressure that is not well controlled even with medication, it is important to determine whether it is endocrine hypertension caused by an adrenal tumor. In cases of endocrine hypertension, hypertension can be treated through surgical removal of the adrenal tumor.

- Adrenal incidentaloma: This is a case where a tumor in the adrenal gland is discovered by chance during an abdominal CT scan. A blood test and 24-hour urine test are required to determine whether the tumor secretes specific adrenal hormones. Most tumors are non-functional and do not secrete hormones, but if the tumor secretes certain hormones or the tumor size is large, surgical treatment is required.

- Pituitary diseases: Diagnosis, treatment and management of pituitary tumors (acomegaly, hyperprolactinemia, Cushing's disease), Raske's cyst, Gong-Turkian syndrome, diabetes insipidus, and hypopituitarism.

◎ Menstrual irregularity, menopausal syndrome and female hormone treatment