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Endocrinology Service | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai
Public Service, Endocrinology
Today
Description
Staff
- Valerie Cheetham
- Joanna Champion-Young
- Pamela Ortigoza
- Avrilette Velez
- Jasmine Wu
- Sacha Bouwmeester
- Jenny Watson
- Vivienne Josephs
- April Manuel
Team Administrator
- Gorretti Rodrigues
Consultants
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Professor Warwick Bagg
Endocrinologist
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Associate Professor Mark Bolland
Endocrinologist
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Dr Carl Eagleton
Consultant Endocrinologist - Chief Medical Officer
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Dr Maritza Farrant
Endocrinologist
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Associate Professor Andrew Grey
Endocrinologist
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Dr Qiliang Liu
Endocrinology Fellow
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Dr Susannah O'Sullivan
Endocrinologist - Service Lead Clinician
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Professor Ian Reid
Endocrinologist
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Dr Anthony Walters
Endocrinology Fellow
Doctors
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Dr Lisa Douglas
Endocrinology Fellow
Referral Expectations
Urgent problems
Those that are severe enough to require hospitalisation are rare. They require referral by your General Practitioner (GP) to the consultant or registrar who will decide the most appropriate management.
Non-urgent problems
These are actioned by the GP writing a letter to the Endocrinology Department of your locality, requesting an appointment.
When you come to the Department, you will be assessed by either a specialist or trainee registrar or in some cases, with your consent, by a senior student doctor or trainee intern, supervised by a senior doctor.
New clinic appointments last for 40 minutes. The process involves taking a history of your presenting condition, a general history and review of medications, examination and appropriate tests.
New patient clinics
General endocrine conditions are seen on Mondays.
Reproductive endocrine conditions on Tuesday mornings.
Thyroid conditions on Wednesday mornings.
Metabolic bone disorders on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings.
Outpatient radioiodine treatment is provided in the Radiation Oncology Department at Auckland Hospital on Thursday afternoons.
Additional follow-up clinics are held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Appointments are 20-30 minutes.
Endocrine Nurse Specialists
Arrange special testing in the Outpatient Unit here at Greenlane for both paediatric and adult patients throughout the Auckland region. In general these are tests of specific endocrine organs and may be supplemented by targeted endocrine treatments.
Waiting times for nurse, clinic, procedures or treatments is up to 2 weeks but can be arranged within 24 hours. Most of these clinics are situated at Greenlane Clinical Centre.
Waiting Times
The waiting time for new patient appointments is 2-12 weeks. If urgent, then consultation can be arranged sooner by interaction with your doctor. On occasions, less urgent problems may take up to 4 months.
Scheduling for Bone Density Scans
These are performed at Greenlane Clinical Centre following direct referral from your GP or specialist. Sometimes you will be asked to have a bone density scan before your visit to the bone clinic.
Contacting the Department
If possible please give your hospital number which enables your enquiry to be met accurately. At each visit to the clinic we will ask you to verify phone and email contact details.
Prescriptions
In general, we expect regular maintenance prescriptions to be provided by your GP. There are two good reasons for this.
First, your GP and pharmacist have the most reliable and up to date listing of your exact drug list.
Second, as part of Government policy, prescriptions from your GP may be cheaper from your GP than from a hospital consultant.
On occasions however, a new or changed medication is prescribed directly from the clinic or is recommended to your GP by letter after your visit.
Consultations
Following your visit to the hospital with a first or follow-up visit, a letter is sent to your GP and/or your referring doctor, summarising the result of the visit. Letter content depends on the interpretation of test results and therefore may take 2 to 4 weeks to reach your GP.
Who can be referred?
Those persons who live in the Waitematā or Counties Manukau Districts are usually referred to their local DHB.
Individuals with complex endocrine disorders in the judgement of their local endocrinologist, may be on-referred to the Greenlane Clinical Centre service.
Prioritising referrals
- The average waiting time before an appointment at a clinic ranges from 2 weeks to 4 months, depending on urgency
- You may be asked to undergo some tests or fill in a questionnaire before seeing the doctor in the clinic to help with the diagnosis
- You will see either a specialist or a registrar (a doctor training to become a specialist who works under the supervision of a specialist) or a supervised senior student doctor. There are also specialist nurses who may be involved with your appointment and ongoing treatment
- You may have ongoing follow-up in the clinic or have your treatment carried out by your GP with written advice from the specialist
- This is done by senior medical staff who review the referral notes from your doctor.
Hours
| Mon – Fri | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
|---|
Procedures / Treatments
Osteoporosis is a progressive aging disorder that weakens bones. Osteoporosis itself is not painful but it makes bones more fracture-prone. Women are more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis. Tests Osteoporosis can be diagnosed by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). This test involves taking x-rays of the bones in your spine and hip usually. You may be asked to have a blood test to look for reasons why you might have osteoporosis or for monitoring the response to treatment. Treatment There is no cure for osteoporosis, but there are treatments that can improve bone strength and thereby reduce the chance of fracture. If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis you may be prescribed one of several medications to improve your bone strength. These include drugs that reduce bone resorption called bisphosphonates. You will have follow-up with your GP or specialist to make sure that the medication suits you. You will be given some more detailed reading about what you can do to help manage your osteoporosis and about the type of medication you are on. Further information can be found on the Osteoporosis New Zealand website at http://www.bones.org.nz/ Zoledronate Patient Information Sheet (PDF, 36.5 KB)
Osteoporosis is a progressive aging disorder that weakens bones. Osteoporosis itself is not painful but it makes bones more fracture-prone. Women are more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis. Tests Osteoporosis can be diagnosed by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). This test involves taking x-rays of the bones in your spine and hip usually. You may be asked to have a blood test to look for reasons why you might have osteoporosis or for monitoring the response to treatment. Treatment There is no cure for osteoporosis, but there are treatments that can improve bone strength and thereby reduce the chance of fracture. If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis you may be prescribed one of several medications to improve your bone strength. These include drugs that reduce bone resorption called bisphosphonates. You will have follow-up with your GP or specialist to make sure that the medication suits you. You will be given some more detailed reading about what you can do to help manage your osteoporosis and about the type of medication you are on. Further information can be found on the Osteoporosis New Zealand website at http://www.bones.org.nz/ Zoledronate Patient Information Sheet (PDF, 36.5 KB)
- Zoledronate Patient Information Sheet (PDF, 36.5 KB)
The thyroid is a gland that sits in the front of the neck. It is responsible for producing a hormone called thyroxine. Thyroxine has an important role in the body as it affects many organs including the heart, muscles and bones. Diseases that affect the thyroid can make it either overactive (producing too much thyroxine), underactive (not producing enough thyroxine) or enlarged (goitre). Endocrinologists specialise in these diseases as well as cancer of the thyroid. Tests Thyroid dysfunction, whether under or overactive, is usually picked up with a blood test. Other tests may be required for thyroid enlargement or goitre. These include: An ultrasound scan. This is where a hand-held scanner is passed over your thyroid gland and pictures are taken A nuclear medicine scintiscan. This is where you are given a marker by intravenous injection that is selectively taken up by the thyroid gland. Although it is radioactive it does not damage you or anyone else. Pictures are then taken of the thyroid gland that give the doctor information about what might be causing the problem Fine needle aspirate (FNA). This is where the doctor puts a very fine needle (smaller than for a blood test) into the thyroid gland to take some cells to look at under the microscope. Further details about the Greenlane clinic and specific thyroid disorders are contained in the following document. Please click on the link My Thyroid Gland The American Thyroid Association link is http://www.thyroid.org/ My Thyroid Gland (PDF, 97.5 KB)
The thyroid is a gland that sits in the front of the neck. It is responsible for producing a hormone called thyroxine. Thyroxine has an important role in the body as it affects many organs including the heart, muscles and bones. Diseases that affect the thyroid can make it either overactive (producing too much thyroxine), underactive (not producing enough thyroxine) or enlarged (goitre). Endocrinologists specialise in these diseases as well as cancer of the thyroid. Tests Thyroid dysfunction, whether under or overactive, is usually picked up with a blood test. Other tests may be required for thyroid enlargement or goitre. These include: An ultrasound scan. This is where a hand-held scanner is passed over your thyroid gland and pictures are taken A nuclear medicine scintiscan. This is where you are given a marker by intravenous injection that is selectively taken up by the thyroid gland. Although it is radioactive it does not damage you or anyone else. Pictures are then taken of the thyroid gland that give the doctor information about what might be causing the problem Fine needle aspirate (FNA). This is where the doctor puts a very fine needle (smaller than for a blood test) into the thyroid gland to take some cells to look at under the microscope. Further details about the Greenlane clinic and specific thyroid disorders are contained in the following document. Please click on the link My Thyroid Gland The American Thyroid Association link is http://www.thyroid.org/ My Thyroid Gland (PDF, 97.5 KB)
The thyroid is a gland that sits in the front of the neck. It is responsible for producing a hormone called thyroxine. Thyroxine has an important role in the body as it affects many organs including the heart, muscles and bones. Diseases that affect the thyroid can make it either overactive (producing too much thyroxine), underactive (not producing enough thyroxine) or enlarged (goitre). Endocrinologists specialise in these diseases as well as cancer of the thyroid.
- An ultrasound scan. This is where a hand-held scanner is passed over your thyroid gland and pictures are taken
- A nuclear medicine scintiscan. This is where you are given a marker by intravenous injection that is selectively taken up by the thyroid gland. Although it is radioactive it does not damage you or anyone else. Pictures are then taken of the thyroid gland that give the doctor information about what might be causing the problem
- Fine needle aspirate (FNA). This is where the doctor puts a very fine needle (smaller than for a blood test) into the thyroid gland to take some cells to look at under the microscope.
Further details about the Greenlane clinic and specific thyroid disorders are contained in the following document. Please click on the link My Thyroid Gland
The American Thyroid Association link is http://www.thyroid.org/
- My Thyroid Gland (PDF, 97.5 KB)
The pituitary gland in the base of the brain controls most of the other endocrine systems. When disorders occur in this gland a variety of problems can appear. If your GP thinks you have problems in this area, usually suggested by blood tests, they may refer you to an endocrinologist. If a pituitary gland swelling (= adenoma ) is identified, surgical removal may be advised. An outline of the location of the pituitary gland, the general nature of surgery and the possible hormone deficiencies that may require treatment are outlined in the following document. Please click on the link My Pituitary Gland. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases useful link to various pituitary and other endocrine disorders. My Pituitary Gland (PDF, 539.4 KB)
The pituitary gland in the base of the brain controls most of the other endocrine systems. When disorders occur in this gland a variety of problems can appear. If your GP thinks you have problems in this area, usually suggested by blood tests, they may refer you to an endocrinologist. If a pituitary gland swelling (= adenoma ) is identified, surgical removal may be advised. An outline of the location of the pituitary gland, the general nature of surgery and the possible hormone deficiencies that may require treatment are outlined in the following document. Please click on the link My Pituitary Gland. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases useful link to various pituitary and other endocrine disorders. My Pituitary Gland (PDF, 539.4 KB)
The pituitary gland in the base of the brain controls most of the other endocrine systems. When disorders occur in this gland a variety of problems can appear. If your GP thinks you have problems in this area, usually suggested by blood tests, they may refer you to an endocrinologist.
- My Pituitary Gland (PDF, 539.4 KB)
The adrenal glands are two small organs that sit on top of each kidney. They are responsible for producing hormones that include essential ones that keep you alive called cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Cortisol is an essential hormone that affects almost every organ and tissue in your body and regulates stress response, metabolism, and many other processes. Aldosterone regulates blood pressure. Adrenaline helps you manage acute illness and stress. Diseases that affect the adrenal glands can make it either overactive (producing too much cortisol or adrenaline/noradrenaline or the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) which is converted to testosterone), underactive (not producing enough cortisol, aldosterone and DHEAS) or enlarged (adrenal adenoma or hyperplasia). Endocrinologists specialise in these diseases as well as cancer of the adrenal glands. Tests Adrenal dysfunction, whether under or overactive, is usually picked up with a blood or urine test. Other tests may be required for adrenal adenomas including a CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
The adrenal glands are two small organs that sit on top of each kidney. They are responsible for producing hormones that include essential ones that keep you alive called cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Cortisol is an essential hormone that affects almost every organ and tissue in your body and regulates stress response, metabolism, and many other processes. Aldosterone regulates blood pressure. Adrenaline helps you manage acute illness and stress. Diseases that affect the adrenal glands can make it either overactive (producing too much cortisol or adrenaline/noradrenaline or the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) which is converted to testosterone), underactive (not producing enough cortisol, aldosterone and DHEAS) or enlarged (adrenal adenoma or hyperplasia). Endocrinologists specialise in these diseases as well as cancer of the adrenal glands. Tests Adrenal dysfunction, whether under or overactive, is usually picked up with a blood or urine test. Other tests may be required for adrenal adenomas including a CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
The adrenal glands are two small organs that sit on top of each kidney. They are responsible for producing hormones that include essential ones that keep you alive called cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Cortisol is an essential hormone that affects almost every organ and tissue in your body and regulates stress response, metabolism, and many other processes. Aldosterone regulates blood pressure. Adrenaline helps you manage acute illness and stress. Diseases that affect the adrenal glands can make it either overactive (producing too much cortisol or adrenaline/noradrenaline or the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) which is converted to testosterone), underactive (not producing enough cortisol, aldosterone and DHEAS) or enlarged (adrenal adenoma or hyperplasia). Endocrinologists specialise in these diseases as well as cancer of the adrenal glands.
Tests
Adrenal dysfunction, whether under or overactive, is usually picked up with a blood or urine test. Other tests may be required for adrenal adenomas including a CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
An uncommon disorder usually caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands that leads to a dependence on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone tablets for essential hormones that need to be taken life-long. There are excellent patient support networks in New Zealand and in the UK that give detailed information about all aspects of living with Addison's disease. http://www.addisons.org.uk/index.html UK
An uncommon disorder usually caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands that leads to a dependence on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone tablets for essential hormones that need to be taken life-long. There are excellent patient support networks in New Zealand and in the UK that give detailed information about all aspects of living with Addison's disease. http://www.addisons.org.uk/index.html UK
An uncommon disorder usually caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands that leads to a dependence on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone tablets for essential hormones that need to be taken life-long. There are excellent patient support networks in New Zealand and in the UK that give detailed information about all aspects of living with Addison's disease.
Reproductive endocrinology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders that affect reproduction. In women this includes conditions that lead to absent or irregular periods, and features of excess male hormones such as facial hair growth. It includes the diagnosis and management of conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and (early) menopause. In men this includes conditions that lead to low testosterone, which often presents with a lowered sex drive and/or breast development.
Reproductive endocrinology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders that affect reproduction. In women this includes conditions that lead to absent or irregular periods, and features of excess male hormones such as facial hair growth. It includes the diagnosis and management of conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and (early) menopause. In men this includes conditions that lead to low testosterone, which often presents with a lowered sex drive and/or breast development.
Reproductive endocrinology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders that affect reproduction. In women this includes conditions that lead to absent or irregular periods, and features of excess male hormones such as facial hair growth. It includes the diagnosis and management of conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and (early) menopause. In men this includes conditions that lead to low testosterone, which often presents with a lowered sex drive and/or breast development.
For detail on diabetic management and referral information please click here to take you to their site.
For detail on diabetic management and referral information please click here to take you to their site.
Document Downloads
- Radioiodine: General Information (PDF, 180.5 KB)
- Radioiodine: Precautions Following Treatment (PDF, 58.3 KB)
- Radioiodine: Outpatient Radioiodine Treatment for Hyperthyroidism (PDF, 365 KB)
- Radioiodine: Outpatient Low Dose Radioiodine Thyroxine Withdrawal Scan (PDF, 357.8 KB)
- Radioiodine: Outpatient Radioiodine Treatment following Thyroid Surgery (PDF, 371.7 KB)
- Radioiodine: Inpatient Radioiodine Treatment (PDF, 378.9 KB)
- Radioiodine: Guidelines for Patients Returning to Care Facilities or Hospitals (PDF, 117.2 KB)
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Outcomes after radioiodine treatment for thyrotoxicosis
(PDF, 247.2 KB)
Authors: Mark Bolland, Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Auckland. Endocrinologist, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai.
- CT Pituitary Audit (PDF, 901.9 KB)
Visiting Hours
Not applicable as this is an outpatient service.
Refreshments
Details about available refreshments, transport, pharmacy and other specific detail about provision of service at the Greenlane Clinical Centre location is available on the location page. Please click here on the Greenlane Clinical Centre location page
Other
Website
Contact Details
Greenlane Clinical Centre
Central Auckland
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Phone
(09) 307 4949 Extn 26856 Team Support
Email
Website
- Appointment Enquiries - (09) 307 4949
- Ext 26460 - Thyroid/Endo/Bone Clinic Scheduler
214 Green Lane West
One Tree Hill
Auckland 1051
Street Address
214 Green Lane West
One Tree Hill
Auckland 1051
Postal Address
Private Bag 92 189
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142
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This page was last updated at 1:29PM on December 10, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Endocrinology Service | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai.