Endocrinology

Conditions we treat

With the best endocrinologists in Tulsa, OHI provides endocrinology services for the following conditions:

• Adrenal disorders: Adrenal glands produce hormones that your body can’t live without. With adrenal gland disorders, your glands either produce too much or too few hormones, such as sex hormones and cortisol. In Cushing’s syndrome, there is an abundance of cortisol while in Addison’s disease there is too little. Adrenal gland disorders can be caused by genetic mutations, infections, problems in other glands (such as the pituitary), specific medications, or tumors.
• Diabetes: Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods we eat into energy to be used by the body. In Type 1 diabetes, the body stops making insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes insulin, but the insulin cannot be used properly, or it may not make enough. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, tingling or numb hands or feet, constant thirst and hunger, fatigue, weakness, weight loss or weight gain, dry, itchy skin and blurred vision.
• Hyperlipidemia: Hyperlipidemia is caused by too much cholesterol in the blood. The liver produces a waxy fat molecule called cholesterol that is essential for healthy brain functioning, vitamin storage, hormone production and healthy cell membranes. Low density lipoproteins (LDL), or bad cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), or good cholesterol, are the two types of proteins that help carry cholesterol to the cells. While LDL has damaging effects on your health, HDL helps to counteract those effects by carrying excess cholesterol back to the liver for elimination.
• Hypertension: Hypertension (high blood pressure) can cause health problems such as heart disease which can ultimately lead to a heart attack or stroke. The amount of blood your heart pumps along with the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries helps determine your blood pressure. Normally, high blood pressure takes years to develop and eventually affects almost everyone. High blood pressure can be controlled once discovered.
• Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by weakened bones and decreased bone density, making them fragile and more prone to fractures. It commonly affects older adults, particularly postmenopausal women, and is often asymptomatic until a bone fracture occurs. Preventive measures include a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, regular weight-bearing exercise, and lifestyle modifications to reduce fall risk.
• Parathyroid disorders: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) assists your body in keeping an adequate balance of calcium and phosphorus. This balance is disrupted when your parathyroid glands either overproduces or underproduces PTH. Hyperparathyroidism is when these glands release too much PTH resulting in increased levels of calcium. In contrast, hypoparathyroidism is when these glands release decreased levels of calcium.
• Pituitary disorders: When one or more of the hormones produced by the pituitary gland are either overproduced or underproduced, this results in pituitary disorders. These disorders may cause symptoms like fatigue, unexplained weight changes, and growth abnormalities, requiring specialized medical evaluation and treatment.
• Reproductive disorders: Reproductive disorders are diseases involving the reproductive system, including reproductive tract infections, congenital abnormalities, cancers of the reproductive system and sexual dysfunction. These conditions can affect both men and women, impacting fertility, sexual health, and overall well-being.
• Thyroid disorders: Nearly all of the metabolic processes in your body are influenced by hormones that the thyroid gland produces. Thyroid disorders range from harmless to life-threatening. There are two thyroid problems that are the most common: hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) and hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone). When properly diagnosed and treated, most thyroid disorders can be managed.

Our endocrinology services

Our hormone specialists offer the following imaging and treatment services at our esteemed hospital:

• Bone density testing: This test can be utilized to help confirm that you may or may not have osteoporosis even before a fracture happens.
• Continuous glucose monitoring: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) helps track your glucose levels at regular intervals 24/7. This system will alert you if your levels get too high or too low.
• Diagnostic ultrasounds: A picture of the thyroid gland is produced to assist in the diagnosis of a nodule (lump) in the thyroid, thyroid cancer or a thyroid gland that is not functioning properly. Prior to surgery, this test can also show abnormal neck lymph nodes helping surgeons determine the extent of the operation.
• Fasting blood sugar test: After fasting overnight, your blood sugar level will be measured.
• Fine needle aspiration: This is the best diagnostic procedure for determining which thyroid nodules are benign and which have cancer.
• Follow-up glucose tolerance testing: After fasting overnight, your blood sugar level will be measured. You will then drink a sweet solution with a high level of glucose before your blood sugar level is checked again every hour for three hours.
• Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test: Your blood is tested to find out what your average blood sugar levels have been for the past two to three months.
• Initial glucose challenge test: This challenge starts with drinking a syrupy glucose solution. In one hour, a blood test will be taken to measure your blood sugar level.
• Insulin pump management: An insulin pump is a small computerized device that takes the place of your pancreas. This device delivers a continuous dose of insulin in two ways – small doses of insulin in a steady measured dose (basal rate) and “on demand” (bolus dose) around mealtimes.
• Medications: Depending on what type of diabetes you have, insulin and oral medications may play a role in your treatment.
• Oral glucose tolerance test: This test has you fast overnight before your fasting blood sugar level is taken. Next, you will drink sugary liquid and then your blood sugar levels will be tested periodically over the next two hours.
• Random blood sugar test: A blood sample will be taken at a random time.
• Risk factor modification: Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and participating in regular activity are important factors in managing diabetes.
• Thyroid ablation: During this procedure, heat is used to help decrease the function of some or all of your thyroid gland by either shrinking or fully destroying thyroid lumps while saving your thyroid gland.

For more information, please call 918-592-0999.

Endocrinology Locations