At your first appointment, your consultant will take a medical history and discuss your symptoms with you. They may ask you questions like:
- What symptoms do you have?
- When did you first notice them?
- Have they been getting worse over time?
- Have you noticed any particular triggers (e.g. food, activities etc.)?
- What effect are your symptoms having on everyday life? Are they limiting you in any way?
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, additional tests will often be needed to aid diagnosis. As well as blood tests, our on-site facilities include X-Ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound, so any of these can be quickly and easily arranged for you when required.
Blood tests can be particularly useful when investigating hormonal issues. There are a variety of blood tests that can be carried out to measure different things:
- Hormonal levels
- Cholesterol levels
- Certain markers for diabetes control
- Inflammation or other complications
Good laboratory support at The Alexandra ensures a fast turnaround of any tests carried out.
Ultrasound can be helpful to investigate the thyroid and parathyroid glands, while MRI or CT scans are helpful when assessing the pituitary and the adrenal gland. All these are available on-site at The Alexandra and are easily arranged for you when needed.
Once the results of any tests are back and a diagnosis has been made, your Consultant will discuss this with you and outline suitable treatments. Due to the nature of endocrine disorders, you will be monitored regularly to ensure your symptoms are well managed. Adjustments can be easily made by your Consultant if required to optimise symptom relief.