Endocrine Clinic
Clinic Info & Contact
The Endocrine Clinic provides assessment, diagnosis, advice, management, surgical treatment and personal, ongoing follow-up care for all endocrine system surgical problems.
The Endocrine Clinic employs a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment and our surgeons are supported by specialist nursing staff. The Endocrine Clinic surgical procedures are conducted at either St George’s Hospital or Southern Cross Hospital both of which are in Christchurch.
Philippa Mercer, Birgit Dijkstra and Hayley Waller are the only specialist endocrine surgeons in private practice in the South Island.
Endocrine surgeons specialise in the surgical treatment of disease of the endocrine glands.
These glands include the thyroid gland, the parathyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas which secrete specific hormones that are important in the metabolism of the body.
Surgery is often carried out to treat diseases of these glands. Surgery is commonly used to treat conditions such as goitre, hypercalcemia, hyperthyroidism and tumours which are usually benign.
Procedures & Treatments
Goitre
Goitre (enlargement of the thyroid gland without an increase in thyroid hormone levels) is also treated with surgery as these can cause obstructive symptoms and/or cosmetic problems.
Hypercalcaemia
Hypercalcaemia is most often caused by overactivity in the four tiny glands in the neck (parathyroid glands) or from cancer. Extra calcium in the blood affects many bodily systems.
Hyperthyroidism
Symptoms include unexpected weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating and irritability, although the elderly often experience no symptoms. Treatments include radioactive iodine, medication and sometimes surgery.
Tumours (usually benign)
Tumours are groups of abnormal cells that form lumps or growths. They can start in any one of the trillions of cells in our bodies. Tumours grow and behave differently, depending on whether they are cancerous (malignant), non-cancerous (benign) or precancerous.
Surgery is most commonly used to remove the tumor and some of the nearby healthy tissue. The tissue around the tumor is called the margin. Tumor removal may be the only treatment. Or it may be used with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Cancer screening
Screening tests are used to find cancer before you have any symptoms and improve the likelihood of successful treatment.
Where to find us
Address
146 Leinster Road, Merivale, Christchurch 8014
Hours
Monday – Friday:
8am-5pm
Saturday – Sunday:
Closed
Phone