Tag: thyroid

Welcome Dr. Mauli Shah
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is pleased to welcome Dr. Mauli Shah to our team of endocrinology experts. 

Dr. Shah is board-certified in Internal Medicine and will be treating the full scope of endocrine disorders including diabetes, thyroid issues, osteoporosis, and promoting heart disease prevention out of our Round Rock clinic.

She joins us most recently from working as a hospitalist and completing her fellowship in Endocrinology at Baylor Scott and White in Temple, TX. 

Dr. Shah loves practicing endocrinology as she says “it allows me to meet all different kinds of people and help them understand complex hormonal issues.”

“It’s a very satisfying field because we can see immediate results after starting treatment,” she adds. 

Dr. Shah was born and raised in southern California and earned her undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. She remained in New York to attend medical school at Albany Medical College and then returned to California for her Internal Medicine residency training at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. 

When asked why she was excited to join our practice, Dr. Shah shares that “everyone I have met from the staff to the other providers are very personable and great to work with.”

She describes her patient care philosophy as follows:

Every patient should have control over their own medical care with the advice of their physician. Care should be tailored to every individual and their own unique needs and lifestyle. Doctors should be seen as advocates for their patients. 

Dr. Shah likes to emphasize to her patients that they should always be comfortable, open, and honest with her and other physicians, as they are only here to help heal and never to judge. 

Outside of work, Dr. Shah enjoys spending time with her children and husband and also enjoys yoga, watching movies, and traveling. She loves that Austin shares the same warm and sunny climate as her home state of California, where all of her sisters and parents are practicing physicians as well.  

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shah or one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services  and other endocrinology services can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.  

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

hormone therapy for thyroid disease in seniors
Dr. Jean Chen on Over Treating the Thyroid and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Posted on by Leslie Branon

The thyroid  is a small gland at the front of your neck that produces hormones which help control several different organ systems. If it’s either underactive (hypothyroidism), or overactive (hyperthyroidism), it could cause serious health issues such as weight changes, fatigue, anxiety/depression, or osteoporosis and may require medication to help better regulate it. 

New research shows though that some hormone medications used to treat thyroid conditions, if administered in excess, may contribute to cognitive disorders in older adults.

This particular study evaluating more than 65,000 patients appeared recently in the JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association and showed that those 65 years and older who received thyroid hormone therapy were at an increased risk for developing dementia and other cognitive issues, especially those who were aggressively dosed. 

Our endocrinology experts at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology treat many hormonal issues, including those affecting the thyroid. One of our board-certified endocrinology specialists, Dr. Jean Chen, shared her thoughts on this study for an article in Medscape.

The article stressed the importance of being vigilant when dosing hormone therapy for older adults to avoid the cognitive consequences of overtreatment. 

“Taking a cautious approach to prescribing thyroid hormone therapy for older patients is

paramount,” said Dr. Chen. “All medical providers need to be aware that the 65 and older population does not need to be treated as aggressively with their thyroid hormone.” 

“We are finding more and more complications from overtreatment rather than benefit in this (senior) population.”

Dr. Chen also explained that symptoms of hyperthyroidism can often mimic those of another condition, so it is important to obtain a thorough diagnosis from a primary care physician before automatically adopting any hormone therapies. Our endocrinologists frequently work in close collaboration with other care providers to arrive at the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to suit your personal needs. 

Thyroid Specialists in Austin

Our team of endocrinology specialists is experienced at diagnosing and treating all issues affecting the thyroid including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. We provide convenient thyroid ultrasound imaging and biopsy procedures on-site in our clinics and will work with you to formulate the most effective treatment plan possible.

Contact Us Today to Learn More about Managing Your Diabetes and Hormones 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology and discover how our comprehensive endocrinology services can help you, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.  

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you with helpful wellness and health information.

Dr. Chen Weighs In on Thyroid Supplements for Men’s Health
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology’s very own Dr. Jean Chen recently shared her expertise on thyroid supplements with Men’s Health. In the article, Dr. Chen and other endocrinologists explain the importance of checking with your doctor for thyroid concerns and why thyroid supplements could do more harm than good. Dr. Chen says doctors generally don’t recommend thyroid supplements because they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

To learn more about the risks of thyroid supplements, read the article here.

To learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid conditions, schedule a consultation with one of our board certified endocrinologists in Austin or Round Rock by requesting an appointment online or call (512) 458-8400.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.