Sutter Pacific Endocrinology Evaluation and Diagnostic Services

When your primary care doctor diagnoses a hormonal disorder using a blood test or imaging exams, specialized help may be recommended. An endocrinologist at Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation can work with you to further identify and evaluate your condition.

Doctor examining female patient's throat glands

Accurate Diagnosis of Hormone Disorders

Symptoms caused by hormonal issues — such as fatigue, weakness and more — can look like those of many other common conditions, so correctly diagnosing an endocrine disorder can take a bit of detective work.

Once you’ve received a preliminary diagnosis from your primary care doctor, endocrinologists in the Sutter Health network can use a variety of lab tests to measure the levels of various hormones in your body. These tests may reveal which endocrine system glands are not working correctly.

Blood Tests

Tests to detect diabetes and prediabetes include the blood glucose test and the glycosylated hemoglobin test (A1c). If you’re pregnant, you may receive a glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational diabetes.
Several tests, primarily a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) assessment, can show how well your thyroid is working.
Other tests can assess for parathyroid conditions.
Blood tests for luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) can help to detect female hormonal issues.
Tests for total testosterone can pinpoint male hormonal issues.
Other blood tests detect levels of hormones, such as cortisol, 17 hydroxyprogesterone, DHEA-sulfate, ACTH, aldosterone, vitamin D, PTH, prolactin and various forms of estrogen, that affect different systems.
Tests for thyroglobulin (Tg) levels can monitor thyroid cancer.

Imaging Exams

Your endocrinologist may request imaging exams to look at your endocrine system function.

Thyroid ultrasound imaging may be used to look at your thyroid’s structure.
A fine-needle aspiration can help rule out cancer in a thyroid nodule.
A thyroid scan shows the size, shape and function of the thyroid gland.
A radioactive iodine uptake test and scan assess thyroid function by measuring how much iodine your thyroid gland uses and where it goes in the gland.
Several hormones can affect your bone density and put you at risk for osteoporosis. A bone density measurement, a simple X-ray, evaluates your bone health.
A pituitary gland MRI can reveal abnormalities of that structure.
A parathyroid scan checks the glands that lie behind or next to the thyroid.
Adrenal CT scan or MRI determines if there are tumors on the adrenal gland.
An orbit CT scan checks the area around the eyes for evidence of Graves’ disease, a thyroid disorder.

If a scan shows an abnormality, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound-guided biopsy to remove and evaluate a tissue sample.

Healthcare Made Easier

Diabetes Diagnosis? We Can Help.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll need to learn how to balance food, medicine and activity. Learn more in Diabetes Services.

Diabetes, Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome Research

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of illness and death in the U.S. today, but it was uncommon just 60 years ago. Research is critical to slow down this growing health problem and treat the 29 million Americans who have it. Diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make or use the hormone insulin properly. Cells don’t get the energy they need, and sugar from food – called glucose – builds up in the blood. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and is epidemic in this country.

Sutter Health Diabetes, Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome Research Sutter Health Diabetes, Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome Research