The Tri-County Endocrinology medical staff consists of four physicians who provide comprehensive evaluations focusing on endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. Our physicians are available for outpatient assessments, as well as inpatient assessment at Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center and Henry Ford Macomb - Warren Campus and Troy Beaumont Hospitals. All four physicians are currently accepting new patients.

An endocrinology evaluation often requires laboratory testing. For the convenience of our patients, Tri-County Endocrinology provides on-site laboratory services. The lab work is processed at the Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center lab or Henry Ford Hospital, depending on your insurance requirements.

Medical Nutrition Therapy is an essential component of comprehensive health care. Individuals with a variety of medical conditions including diabetes, obesity, elevated cholesterol, gastrointestinal malabsorption or other special dietary needs can improve their health through medical nutrition therapy. Tri-County Endocrinology has a registered dietician available 5 days a week for nutritional consultation.

Tri-County Endocrinology has an ADA (American Diabetes Association) accredited diabetic education and self management program. Our staff is competent in training all aspects of diabetes self-care, including blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration and ketone testing. In addition, they can provide comprehensive diabetes education such as treatment goals, diabetes complications, sick day guidelines, etc.

An insulin pump is a device that delivers insulin, typically used for treatment of type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy). Insulin is contained in a small reservoir and is continuously administered 24 hours a day through a small, flexible plastic cannula that is place just beneath the skin. This continuous insulin administration is called “basal” insulin. In addition, the pump is used to give additional “bolus” insulin to cover carbohydrate intake at meals, as well as to correct an elevated blood glucose. This technology allows individualized, precise treatment, increased flexibility of lifestyle, eliminates the need for injections and can often improve control of diabetes.

At Tri-County Endocrinology, we encourage the use of insulin pumps in the appropriate, highly motivated individual. Our facility is currently capable of initiating and managing Animas, Cozmo, Omnipod, Medtronic and Accu-Chek Spirit insulin pump devices. We have a dedicated staff member available 5 days a week for insulin pump training and education, as well as to answer operational questions and concerns.

Tri-County Endocrinology can assist with the obtainment and training of continuous blood glucose monitors for interested individuals. A continuous blood glucose monitor is a device that measures blood glucose levels every few minutes. It consists of a flexible plastic sensor placed just beneath the skin and transmits data to an electronic receiver. Blood glucose levels are instantly displayed and are also compiled into graphic display for your physician to review. Monitors are worn for 6 days, and are used in conjunction with finger-stick glucose monitoring.

Continuous blood glucose monitors provide valuable information including how blood glucose level reacts to insulin, exercise, food, and other factors. They also provide information on blood glucose levels during times when levels are not usually monitored (including overnight). Your physician may use this information to adjust your treatment regimen, potentially improving blood glucose control and avoiding hypoglycemia.

Metabolism is the process of converting food into heat or energy. The rate and efficiency in which the body converts food into energy is referred to the metabolic rate and can vary widely amongst individuals. At Tri-County Endocrinology, we offer resting metabolic rate assessments for individuals suffering from obesity or difficulty losing weight. This is performed by indirect calorimetry, a method of measuring the body’s oxygen consumption. A fixed amount of oxygen is required to convert a calorie into energy. The rate at which oxygen is used is directly proportional to calorie expenditure. Through determination of resting calorie expenditure, an individualized caloric intake can be recommended to improve success with weight loss. This test is performed by breathing into a disposable mouthpiece while sitting comfortably in a recliner.

Tri-County Endocrinology has the ability to perform 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for individuals who may have labile blood pressure or “white coat” hypertension. The monitor consists of a portable battery-operated device that is worn on the hip and is connected to a blood pressure cuff. Blood pressure is obtained at regular intervals over a 24 hour period. The results are graphically displayed for your physician to help determine if hypertension is present, and to what degree.

Osteoporosis is a disease of diminished bone mass that results in an increased risk of fracture. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, is the method most often used to measure bone density. A bone density evaluation can be performed in the office by taking X-rays of the hips and spine and occasionally the forearm and applying computer software calculations to determine BMD (bone mineral density). This test is the most helpful when performed serially at the same facility, utilizing appropriate technique and quality control. Tri-County Endocrinology follows the International Society for Clinical Densitometry’s guidelines for performance and interpretation of bone density evaluations. Our DXA technicians are also ISCD certified.

Needle biopsies is sometimes necessary to evaluate thyroid nodules. During a biopsy, a thin needle is inserted into the thyroid nodule to obtain cells for examination under a microscope. This can be performed with or without the aide of an ultrasound for visualization of the nodule. The cells are then prepared on glass slides and sent to a pathologist for review. A biopsy can provide definitive information on the characteristics of a nodule, including whether it is benign or malignant (thyroid cancer).

The physicians at Tri-County Endocrinology are licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to perform radioactive iodine therapy at Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center and Henry Ford Macomb Warren Campus. Radioactive iodine is a therapeutic option for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. The thyroid gland utilizes iodine to produce thyroid hormone. When a radioactive iodine capsule is swallowed, the iodine travels to the thyroid, resulting in destruction and shrinkage of thyroid tissue. The remaining radioactivity is excreted out of the body in salvia and urine, without causing damage to other tissues in the body. This treatment has been utilized since 1941 with favorable outcomes, and is considered the treatment of choice for several thyroid conditions.