Endocrinology

Nationally Ranked in Diabetes

UT Southwestern Medical Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top 15 hospitals for diabetes and endocrinology care.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is widely recognized as a leading clinical and research center for the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of conditions related to the endocrine system.

When surgery is needed, we offer surgical care that’s second to none in North Texas – and among the best in the world – for endocrine disorders. 

World-Class Care Committed to Improving Outcomes

The endocrine system is a group of glands that includes the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal gland, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus. These glands produce hormones, which are chemical substances that send messages that regulate activities such as metabolism, reproduction, growth, and development.

The amount of hormones produced by each gland is carefully balanced. Too much or too little of a certain hormone can have effects throughout the body and cause various endocrine disorders. Many of the hormones produced by the endocrine glands interact with each other to maintain balance, for example.

UT Southwestern physicians are among the top in the nation in treating diseases of the endocrine system. We have one of the largest groups of endocrine surgeons in the country. The group includes internationally recognized leaders who are at the forefront of understanding the pathology of diseases and defining new treatments that are expanding options for patients.

Our endocrine surgeons work with endocrinologists, oncologists, specialists in medical imaging, and other health care professionals, based on each patient’s needs.

Endocrinology Conditions

Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder in the U.S., although there are many other endocrine disorders. Our endocrinology service offers patients advanced treatments for diabetes, lipid metabolism conditions such as elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and neuroendocrine (thyroid) disorders.

We also use the latest techniques and technology available to treat diseases such as:

Thyroid and Parathyroid

• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid nodules
• Graves’ disease
• Goiter
• Thyroid nodules
• Hyperparathyroidism

Adrenal

• Adrenal cancer
• Conn’s syndrome (aldosteronism)
• Cushing syndrome
• Paraganglioma
• Pheochromocytoma
• Adrenal incidentaloma
• Aldosteronoma

Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Disease

• Benign and malignant tumors of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1)
• Somatostatinoma
• VIPoma
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of endocrine disorders vary depending on the condition, but often patients complain of weakness or fatigue. 

Blood tests are generally done to diagnose endocrine disorders, and imaging tests such as ultrasounds and biopsies might also be performed.

Treatments

Some disorders can be treated with medication or hormone supplements.

When surgery is needed, our endocrine surgeons are dedicated to offering patients leading-edge treatments for disorders and tumors that affect the endocrine system, as well as neuroendocrine diseases of the pancreas and GI tract. Their experience includes specialized expertise in groundbreaking treatments for complex thyroid and parathyroid cancers, including metastatic diseases.

Each of our patients can expect to have access to a comprehensive range of treatments, with surgeons focused on achieving the best possible outcomes and minimizing recovery times whenever possible. Our surgical techniques include:

• Conventional surgical approaches
• Minimally invasive endocrine surgery, such as parathyroidectomy
• Laparoscopic techniques, such as adrenalectomy
• Robotic surgery
  

UT Southwestern endocrine surgeons are available for immediate appointments, whether as initial consults or for second opinions. Learn more about endocrine surgery.

Clinical Trials

Our clinicians work in unison with our researchers to provide patients with the most up-to-date therapeutic interventions for endocrinology disorders. Talk to our doctors to see if a clinical trial is available.