When you need care for your endocrine system—the glands that make hormones—turn to the fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon at The Hospital of Central Connecticut (HOCC).
You can trust that Carrie B. Carsello, MD, FACS has the experience to care for you because she performs many procedures on the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands each year. Visit her at HOCC for top-quality treatment.
Endocrine Conditions We Treat
Your endocrine surgeon at HOCC cares for conditions such as:
• Adrenal nodules (adrenal tumors)
• Goiter (enlarged thyroid), including multinodular goiter
• Graves’ disease
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Hyperparathyroidism – primary, secondary or tertiary
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes
• Parathyroid cancer
• Parathyroid disease – persistent, recurrent and familial
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid nodule
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid)
Evaluation, Testing & Diagnosis
During your consultation, your endocrine surgeon will discuss your symptoms, do a physical exam and review your medical history.
Thyroid Nodule Testing
If you have a thyroid nodule (lump in a neck gland), you may receive an ultrasound and sometimes a biopsy in the office the same day to learn more about the growth. A thyroid biopsy uses a thin needle to take a tiny sample of nodule cells, which will go to a lab for testing. You may get results in as little as a few days. Rest assured; most nodules are harmless.
Genetic Counseling
Your genes affect whether you develop an endocrine tumor (growth on one of the glands that make hormones). If you or a close relative has had an endocrine tumor, your doctor may recommend genetic counseling and genetic testing. These services can help determine your risk of future endocrine diseases and guide your doctor in recommending the best treatment.
Thyroid Surgery
You may need thyroid surgery if your nodule is cancerous, large, making too many hormones or causing trouble swallowing. Your thyroid surgeon will recommend the best procedure for you:
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Hemithyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy – Removes only half of the thyroid, often to treat a single nodule that causes problems
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Total thyroidectomy – Removes the whole thyroid to treat thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease
Feel confident knowing thyroid surgery is safe. You may be able to go home the same day as surgery and return to your normal activities the next day. Depending on how much of your thyroid is removed, your doctor may tell you to take a pill for the rest of your life to replace the hormones the gland made.
Parathyroid Surgery
If you have hyperparathyroidism, you may need surgery (parathyroidectomy) to remove one or more of the parathyroid glands in your neck. Whenever possible, your parathyroid surgeon at HOCC will do this procedure in a minimally invasive way (laparoscopically). This means you’ll have only tiny incisions, so you may recover faster with less scarring. Usually, you can go home the same day as surgery and return to normal activities in a few days.
Adrenal Surgery
If you’re diagnosed with an adrenal tumor, your doctor may recommend adrenalectomy—surgery to remove one or both adrenal glands. These organs sit above your kidneys. In most cases, your adrenal surgeon at HOCC will perform this procedure in a minimally invasive way (laparoscopically). This means you’ll have only tiny incisions, so you may recover faster with less scarring. Usually, you can go home the day after surgery.
Request an Appointment
Call 860.827.6068 to make an appointment with an endocrine surgeon. Ask your doctor for a referral before you call.
Your Appointment
Your physician may refer you to a Hartford HealthCare endocrine specialist if you:
• Had an abnormal test result
• Want a second opinion
• Need help managing your condition
Bring any relevant test results from outside Hartford HealthCare to your appointment, or have them faxed ahead of time to 860.827.4187. If your tests took place at a Hartford HealthCare location, we can check them through your electronic medical record.
Complete and bring your new-patient forms to your appointment. Expect your visit to last about an hour.
Patient & Caregiver Resources
Learning about endocrine diseases can be helpful, as can sharing insight with others with the same condition. Below are reliable and useful websites to obtain educational information.
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