Endocrinology services

Our diagnostic examination methods in endocrinology
Depending on the clinical picture, targeted treatment is used:

  • Ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal organs, thyroid gland, echocardiography of the heart if necessary
  • X-ray diagnostics of the skeletal system including the chest organs
  • Bone density measurement with DEXA (on the lumbar spine, hip, also after endoprosthetic treatment)
  • Internal diagnostics using Doppler sonography of the brain and limb vessels, ECG
  • Endocrinological hormone and metabolism speciality laboratory

 

Our examination methods emphasise the importance of checking the various hormonal disorders. As a rule, blood and/or urine are analysed in our specialist laboratory. In some cases, the patient is also given substances that have a stimulating or inhibiting effect on the hormonal control circuits, and imaging procedures are also used to better clarify the individual clinical pictures. Sonography takes centre stage here. If necessary, this is supplemented by scintigraphy, X-rays or computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.When diagnosing a bone density deficiency (osteoporosis), a bone density measurement can be carried out in our practice and the bone-building and bone-degrading metabolic parameters can then be determined in the blood and urine. Depending on the results of the examination, we discuss the necessary and optimal therapies with our patients.

Individual health services (IGeL)

Bone density measurement (Dexa osteodensitometry)

Bone density measurement can be used to assess the stability of the bone and the risk of fracture. The internationally recommended procedure for this is Dexa osteodensitometry. We can perform this procedure in our practice with a modern, fast and low-radiation device and offer it to you.

The target group includes women in/after the menopause, patients before and during treatment with cortisone, patients with bone fractures, patients with allergies and intolerances to dairy products or intestinal diseases, cases of osteoporosis in the family and for monitoring the progress of previously diagnosed osteoporosis. Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases in particular are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis

PSA / free PSA / tumour marker

The prostate-specific antigen is a tumour marker and can be used to identify cancer of the prostate (prostate gland) in men at an early stage. Annual checks are advisable. The ratio of free PSA to total PSA can give an indication of the probability of a malignant change in the prostate. If you would like a determination of PSA, free PSA or other tumour markers, please contact us.

Hormones

If you would like to have female or male sex hormones or their precursors such as DHEA determined as an individual health service, we can determine these for you in our laboratory.

Metabolism

Monitoring blood levels of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism is important in order to recognise patients at risk of arteriosclerosis and diabetes mellitus at an early stage. It is now known that patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, in particular patients with rheumatoid arthritis, are just as likely to suffer a heart attack as patients with diabetes. It is therefore important to recognise risk factors in lipometabolism and sugar metabolism.

In our laboratory, we can determine subgroups of blood lipids (e.g. ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol) as well as sugar metabolism parameters (HbA1c and adiponectin) in order to monitor your current metabolic situation and assess your risk of developing such diseases.

If you are interested in finding out about your metabolic situation outside the scope of the checks available under the statutory health insurance scheme, please contact the practice team.

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Curriculum vitae from
Dr. med. Frank Lütke Elshoff

Dr. med. Frank Lütke Elshoff

Education and training

  • 1984-1992 Studied law and human medicine at the University of Bonn
  • 1992 Graduated in human medicine/licence to practise medicine (Federal State of NRW/RP Cologne)
  • 1992-1994 Rheumatism Centre Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Prof. Dr med. I. Stroehmann
  • 1993 Doctorate in human medicine (rheumatological dissertation topic)
  • 1994-1999 Internal Medicine Department of the Johanniter Hospital Bonn
  • 1999-2001 Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at the academic teaching hospital of the University of Cologne, Cologne-Porz
  • 2000 Specialist in internal medicine
  • 2001 Specialising in rheumatology
  • 2002 Established in Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Röntgenstraße 6, as an internal rheumatologist in a joint practice with Prof. Dr med. I. Stroehmann
  • 2005 Practice centre for rheumatology and endocrinology in Bonn-Bad Godesberg (Hochkreuz)
  • 2006 Osteologist (DVO)

Memberships

  • Regional Cooperative Rheumatology Centre Aachen-Cologne-Bonn e.V.
  • Professional Association of German Rheumatologists e.V.
    currently: 1st chairman of the North Rhine section
  • German Society for Rheumatology e.V.
  • BDI – Professional Association of German Internists e.V.
  • German Society for Osteology e.V.
  • German Society for Internal Medicine e.V.