Internal medicine, endocrinology, diabetology

If you are feeling unwell, tired or have symptoms of unknown origin, it is worth having a thorough internal medicine check-up. However, prevention is also of paramount importance, and it is recommended that you have certain screening tests every year.

Often we may feel that something is wrong, but it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing the problem. In such cases, it is a good idea to consult an experienced specialist in internal medicine at Korda Clinic. A thorough examination saves time and effort, avoiding the need to visit different specialists and undergo numerous tests. Prevention also plays an important role: regular check-ups can prevent the development of certain serious diseases.

Ultrasound is an essential tool for examining the two lobes of the thyroid gland and the parathyroid gland. This method can detect even the smallest changes in the thyroid gland, accurately determine the size, shape and structure of the thyroid gland, and also reveal nodular lesions, inflammations and cysts. Ultrasound plays a key role not only in the diagnosis of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, but also in the examination of the soft tissues of the neck, the major salivary glands and the cervical lymph nodes.

An ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is recommended in all cases where abnormal thyroid gland changes are suspected on palpation (endocrinological or internal medicine examination) or other symptoms.

Endocrinology is a specialised field of internal medicine, which deals with diseases of the endocrine glands. These endocrine organs, which produce hormones, are the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pancreas glands.

The main function of the endocrine system is to regulate the body's metabolic functions through hormones. Hormones are products of the endocrine glands, which, when released into the bloodstream, stimulate or inhibit the function of various organs.

Patients are often referred to an endocrinologist by a general internist, general practitioner or gynaecologist when they present with general clinical signs that may indicate an endocrine disorder.

Symptoms may include fatigue, dry skin, abnormal sweating, diarrhoea or chronic constipation, palpitations, and sleep disturbances.

If a patient presents with a bleeding disorder or lactation that cannot be explained by breastfeeding, they usually consult a gynaecologist. Often the doctor is consulted because of abnormal hair growth. Physical examination, for example, knee-deep watery discharge or purplish stretch marks on the abdomen, or a family history (such as thyroid disease or multiple endocrine adenomatosis) may lead to suspicion of endocrinological disease, which triggers an endocrinological investigation.