Endocrinology Diseases, Diabetes & Metabolism

Our endocrinologists offer expert, targeted care for endocrine and metabolic disorders.

Why choose UCLA for endocrinology diseases?

At UCLA Health, our Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism consistently ranks among the top programs of its kind in the nation. Our team is dedicated to advancing the field of endocrinology (hormone-related conditions). We provide exceptional patient care and train future generations of clinicians.

When you choose UCLA Health for endocrinology, you benefit from:

Recognized expertise: Our endocrinologists are at the forefront of their respective fields. Many of our doctors are consistently listed among the “Top Doctors” by Los Angeles Magazine. Our leaders also write papers, present research and train residents and fellows.

Targeted care: Within our division, we have many centers and programs for specific diseases or conditions. This subspecialization gives you access to targeted, advanced treatment for both routine and complex conditions. We care for all types of endocrine and metabolic disorders.

Research-driven approach: The Larry H. Hillblom Islet Research Center was the first dedicated islet research center in the country. Understanding islets (clusters of cells in the pancreas that make insulin) is crucial to advancing endocrinology care. Today, clinicians and faculty from multiple disciplines work together to learn how we can better treat endocrine disorders.

Our services

Our subspecialty programs offer patients advanced, targeted care. Our areas of care include:

Diabetes Program: Through this program, an internationally recognized team of physicians, nurses and nutritionists creates personalized diabetes plans. In addition to treatment, we study the causes of diabetes so we can better understand how to advance this area of care. Education programs and support groups help patients with diabetes to live a high-quality life.

Endocrine Center: Through the Endocrine Center, we offer comprehensive care for conditions that affect the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. We use the latest techniques for better care, including a new technology called the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA). With TOETVA we can remove the thyroid gland without leaving visible scars on the neck.

Pituitary and Neuroendocrine Program: Pituitary and neuroendocrine tumors are growths that start in your endocrine system. We work with fellowship-trained neurosurgeons to remove pituitary tumors safely and effectively. We perform more than 100 pituitary tumor surgeries each year — across the country, less than 5% of institutions perform more than 50 of these procedures annually.

Program for Reducing Obesity (PRO): We proudly offer a comprehensive insurance-based weight loss program led by board certified obesity medicine specialists. Our program consists of both individual consultations with an obesity specialist and shared medical visits focused on nutrition counseling and more. As part of PRO, our obesity medicine specialists develop an individualized medical weight loss plan including the use of FDA approved weight loss medications as appropriate.

Endocrine disorders we treat

UCLA endocrinology treat all types of endocrine and metabolic disorders. Common conditions include:

Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency): When your body doesn’t produce enough cortisol (your main stress hormone).

Diabetes: A group of conditions that all result in high blood sugar.

Goiter: Irregular enlargement of your thyroid gland (gland in your neck that produces hormones).

Graves’ disease: An immune system disorder that results in too many thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).

Hashimoto’s disease: An autoimmune disorder in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland.

Hyperthyroidism: An overproduction of thyroid hormones, which can speed up your metabolism.

Hypothyroidism: An underproduction of thyroid hormones, which can slow your metabolism.

Treatments endocrinologists offer

We provide consultations, diagnosis, and treatment for a full range of endocrinology diseases and problems. Some of our most common treatments include:

Diabetes treatments

Treatment for diabetes might include:

Blood sugar checks: Periodically measuring the glucose (sugar) in your blood.

Carbohydrate counting: Monitoring how many grams of carbohydrates (macronutrients found in foods such as pasta, bread or fruit) you eat per day.

Diabetes medications: Drugs that help control your blood sugar, such as metformin (medicine that decreases the amount of glucose your liver makes).

Insulin injections: Using a needle and syringe to give insulin (hormone your pancreas makes that controls how your body processes sugar).

Insulin pumps: A small, wearable machine that gives you steady, small insulin doses throughout the day or on a set schedule.

Treatment for endocrine or thyroid disorders

Treatment for a thyroid problem or endocrine disorder might include:

Hormone medications: Medicines that either add hormones to your body or keep your thyroid from producing too many hormones.

Surgery: Removing your thyroid (thyroidectomy) as a treatment for severe hyperthyroidism.

Treatment for pituitary tumors

Pituitary tumor treatment might include:

Focused radiation therapy: Sending targeted radiation beams toward the location of the tumor.

Endoscopic surgery: Removing the tumor through small incisions with specialized tools.

Minimally invasive craniotomy: Removing a tumor through a small incision behind your ear.

Meet our team

The UCLA Health endocrinology team includes experts in clinical care, research, and education. We continually learn about the newest techniques so that we can offer patients the most advanced care.