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What symptoms indicate the need to visit an endocrinologist?

Diabetes, infertility, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, obesity, polycystic ovaries are some of the serious metabolic disorders of the endocrine system that require a visit to an endocrinologist, and in some cases, an endocrine surgeon. Since many endocrine diseases do not manifest aggressively in their early stages, patients often ignore them at first and do not recognize them as a problem. Endocrine surgery and endocrinology are specialized branches of medicine where the number of patients is significantly increasing.

The best endocrine surgeon in Serbia and the region

Professor Aleksandar Diklić is a full professor at the Medical Faculty and an endocrine surgeon with over 30 years of experience.

He has performed surgery on over 7,000 patients

Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Diklić has operated on more than 7,000 patients with endocrine gland diseases, mostly thyroid disorders. Endocrinologist, endocrinologist, endocrinologist – you have typed these words multiple times in Google search because you are looking for the best endocrinologist in Belgrade? You are in the right place. Endocrinologist or endocrine surgeon? Now you are wondering whom you should consult about the problem you have? The following text will explain when to consult an endocrinologist and when to consult an endocrine surgeon.

What is endocrinology?

Endocrinology is a branch of medicine where the number of patients is significantly increasing. This branch of medicine deals with disorders of the endocrine system and its specific secretions, hormones. Hormones are responsible for regulating many functions in the body, such as growth, development, reproduction, and reactions to stress, for example.

As a result of disorders in the endocrine system, various metabolic disorders can occur, such as diabetes, infertility, increased or decreased thyroid or parathyroid gland function, osteoporosis, obesity, etc.

What is the specialty of an endocrinologist?

An endocrinologist is a subspecialist in internal medicine who treats patients with endocrinological and metabolic disorders.

Endocrinologist Belgrade – what problems do our endocrinologists treat?

Endocrinologists at the Polyclinic Belgrade diagnose and treat problems related to:

• pituitary gland

• thyroid gland

• parathyroid glands

• adrenal glands

• gonads (ovaries and testes)

• endocrine pancreas, with a special focus on diabetes mellitus patients

What is endocrine surgery?

Endocrine surgery is a branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the endocrine system, glands, and the substances they secrete (hormones), as well as biopsies, surgery, and the removal of part or the entire thyroid gland, parathyroid, and adrenal glands.

When is it time for endocrine surgery?

In more severe cases and diseases of the endocrine system that require surgical interventions, in addition to endocrinologists, endocrine surgeons at our Polyclinic are involved. The following text will explain the more severe cases and diseases of the endocrine system that are treated by endocrine surgery.

Endocrine surgery – most common operations

Total thyroidectomy and hemithyroidectomy (removal of half of the thyroid gland) are the two most commonly performed surgeries in endocrine surgery. Previously, smaller procedures, nodulectomies, were performed, where only nodules in the thyroid gland were removed, but this practice has been abandoned due to complications that arose during reoperations, often necessary after nodulectomies.

Thyroid gland – disorders and diseases

The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in the human body. Thyroid hormones influence growth and maturation, accelerate fat breakdown, protein synthesis, and play a key role in the development of the nervous system. Neither a decrease nor an increase in the size of the thyroid gland is beneficial for the human body.

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a common metabolic disorder, most often seen in women. It refers to a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. One of the signs indicating the onset of hypothyroidism may be an increased level of TSH hormone, and simultaneously reduced levels of T3 and T4 hormones.

Hypothyroidism symptoms: problematic skin (dermatitis, flaking, dry and rough skin); thin hair that falls out; swelling (puffy face, swollen eyelids, swollen legs); poor concentration and frequent mood changes and fluctuations; menstrual cycle disorders in women.

What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism represents an increased function of the thyroid gland, resulting in the secretion of hormones into the blood at much higher levels than the body needs. It is more common in women, typically between the ages of 20 and 50. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is overactivity of the thyroid gland caused by an autoimmune process. If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause severe damage, most often to the cardiovascular system.

Hyperthyroidism symptoms: rapid heart rate, noticeable fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, reduced vision sharpness, hand tremors, nervousness, emotional instability, irritability, menstrual cycle disorders in women.

Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed through a clinical examination by an endocrinologist, ultrasound of the neck or thyroid, and laboratory analysis of T3, T4, and TSH hormones. Treatment involves the use of antithyroid drugs, also known as thionamides, and in more severe cases, surgery is necessary.

What is goiter?

Goiter refers to the enlargement of the thyroid gland. It can be multinodular or nodular. The most common causes of nodular goiter include chronic iodine deficiency in food and drinking water, chronic stress, as well as chemical and physical agents. It affects all generations and is more common in women.

Goiter symptoms: Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland, sometimes up to several times its natural size. In such cases, the enlarged thyroid exerts pressure on surrounding tissues (trachea, esophagus, large blood vessels in the neck), which can cause difficulty swallowing, breathing, voice changes, and hoarseness. In addition to these functional disorders, goiter also poses a significant aesthetic problem. The neck appears swollen, and in some cases, bulges are visible.

Goiter diagnostics: Upon the first encounter with the patient, the endocrinologist or endocrine surgeon determines the position of the thyroid, its consistency and mobility, the presence of nodules, and any enlargement of regional lymph nodes. As part of the examination of thyroid function, an ultrasound of the neck, laboratory tests to determine hormone levels, cytodiagnostic biopsy, and scintigraphy of the thyroid are necessary.

Thyroid tumors

A thyroid tumor manifests as a nodule in the gland or a goiter. Thyroid tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are adenomas, which grow slowly over time and do not show significant symptoms. They are usually painless, have an elastic consistency, smooth surfaces, and are not fixed to the skin or underlying tissue, and can sometimes be seen when swallowing. The prognosis for benign thyroid tumors is good, and the discomfort they cause can be successfully eliminated.

Unlike adenomas, malignant tumors are usually a single nodule, hard and painless, fused with surrounding tissue. They include papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and medullary types. Pain is usually absent, but fatigue, hoarseness, and weakness can occur in advanced stages. Treatment is surgical (thyroidectomy) and involves the removal of the thyroid. Lifelong hormone therapy is required.

What does thyroid surgery involve?

In cases of more severe thyroid disorders, the involvement of an endocrine surgeon is necessary. Thyroid removal is performed when there is a structural and functional disturbance of the gland, or when cancer is suspected. Thyroid surgery is a treatment option when the gland is enlarged and is pressing on surrounding organs. The pressure exerted by the thyroid can interfere with the vocal cords, causing hoarseness, obstruct the trachea, making breathing difficult, and affect the esophagus, leading to difficulty swallowing. Structural disorders of the thyroid can result in the formation of goiter and enlargement of the gland. Surgical intervention is also recommended in cases of chronic thyroid inflammation.

How long does thyroid surgery take?

Thyroid surgery (endocrine surgery) performed at Polyclinic Belgrade lasts from one and a half to two hours and is performed under general anesthesia. The patient typically goes home the day after surgery and can return to normal activities. After surgery, physical activities and exertion are not recommended. A bandage is applied at the incision site, which is removed after one day, and no further dressing is required. There are no sutures that need to be removed, and patients can shower as usual. A follow-up surgical check-up is required 7-14 days after surgery.

Which surgeons perform thyroid surgery at Polyclinic Belgrade?

The expert team of endocrine surgeons, led by Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Diklić, performs thyroid surgeries at Polyclinic Belgrade. Professor Aleksandar Diklić is a full professor at the Medical Faculty and an endocrine surgeon who has performed surgeries on over 7,000 patients with thyroid disorders, most commonly thyroid diseases.

More information about Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Diklić's work and experience can be found on this page: Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Diklić.

What is life like after thyroid surgery?

Life after thyroid surgery quickly returns to normal, with complications being very rare. Most complications are temporary nerve damage affecting vocal cord movement, causing hoarseness. Patients who have had their thyroid removed must take hormone replacement therapy in the form of one tablet daily.

Why is it not advisable to delay thyroid surgery?

All information on why it is not advisable to delay thyroid surgery can be found on this page: DO NOT DELAY THYROID SURGERY.

Endocrinologist Belgrade

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