Our diabetes program offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment of diabetes and related complications. Particular expertise includes diabetes care in the setting of organ transplant, peri-operative care, extreme insulin resistance (patients needing more than 200 units of insulin per day), and patients with multiple diabetes complications. We provide diabetes care and education for adults with diabetes, including those with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other types of diabetes, and diabetes in pregnancy.

Our program offers a number of services including:

• Intensive insulin therapies such as pump therapy and 72-hour continuous glucose monitoring
• Comprehensive diabetes education by our American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE)-certified program
• Computer-assisted glucose monitoring and analysis
• Pharmacotherapies for type 2 diabetes
• Clinical research involving new treatment therapies

Self-management training services are offered covering a complete range of topics related to your diabetes. The focus of the program is personal goal setting and the development of a plan to help you achieve your goals. The diabetes program has access to research in the latest developments in diabetes care. A variety of topics and management options are offered.

• Blood sugar monitoring, sick day rules, traveling guidelines, intensive insulin injection programs, and insulin pump therapy
• Individualized eating program tailored to your lifestyle, habits, and medical needs, as well as instructions on eating out, shopping techniques, and weight-reducing diets
• Certified educators offering innovative, effective instruction incorporating diabetes management into an active lifestyle

The UK Diabetes One-stop Clinic is a half-day comprehensive evaluation and educational opportunity for individuals who want a streamlined experience regarding their disease status and an in-depth educational opportunity. This includes an early visit to the lab followed by a diabetes eye exam, educational sessions with two certified diabetes educators on nutrition, and all aspects of self-care including medication management. The clinic is concluded with a physician visit including a comprehensive exam and written summary of labs, disease status, and a hard copy of goals and treatment recommendations. Appointments are available through our usual scheduling systems.

Our obesity program is aimed at medical management of complications associated with obesity including hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and lipid and cholesterol disorders. Patients are offered a comprehensive evaluation by endocrinology providers, laboratory assessment, dietitian counseling, and a group therapy lifestyle intervention class. Treatment programs include:

• Low-calorie diets
• Lifestyle changes through the incorporation of group therapies
• Clinical investigations
• New nutritional applications

In cooperation with the University of Kentucky, division faculty and senior trainees provide medical supervision for the Health Management Resources (HMR) Program, an intensive multidisciplinary weight loss program located at Tates Creek Center. Further information is available at Health Management Resources.

In addition, Barbara Fleming-Phillips, MD, is a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). The ABOM serves the field of obesity medicine by establishing a credentialing protocol and maintaining a standard for assessment and certification of physicians. Certification signifies a level of completion of education and competency the field of obesity study.

The ABOM is not yet recognized as a specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  Currently, the ABOM is a partner organization with the American College of Physicians, the Endocrine Society, the American College of Preventive Medicine, as well as Harvard, Columbia, and many other academic institutions.  The certification further allows Dr. Fleming-Phillips to evaluate and treat patients in the areas of lifestyle medicine and obesity management. 

Elevated levels of cholesterol and/or triglycerides are associated with increased rates of cardiovascular disease. In this clinic, patients will receive expert advice for lipid/ cholesterol management based on current research and their individual needs. We particularly specialize in the treatment of cholesterol and triglyceride disorders in the setting of complex metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and metabolic syndrome. Resources include dietitian counseling and medication management.

Thyroid disorders are among the most common endocrine disorders and can present in a variety of ways, including over-activity of the thyroid, under-activity of the thyroid, inflammation of the thyroid (“thyroiditis”), thyroid nodules, or thyroid cancers. The appropriate adjustment of thyroid hormone levels can improve blood cholesterol and triglycerides, improve energy levels and mood, and greatly improve overall quality of life.

Our thyroid program includes comprehensive laboratory assessment of thyroid function and thyroid imaging including collaboration with nuclear medicine assessments, as well as thyroid ultrasounds and fine needle biopsies performed in clinic by Endocrine Certification of Neck Ultrasound (ECNU)-accredited providers. In the case of thyroid cancer, diagnosed patients are referred to our unique thyroid cancer program.

Under the direction of Kenneth B. Ain, MD, the UK Thyroid Oncology Program has been an internationally recognized program of excellence in the management of thyroid cancer for the past two decades. We are pleased to see all thyroid cancer patients for state-of-the-art care.

The program uses a team approach to develop effective, consistent, and comprehensive health care plans for every patient. We welcome all patients with thyroid masses and malignancies, including those with new thyroid nodules, those with thyroid nodules/masses that have been biopsied as suspicious or malignant, and post-operative thyroid cancer patients.

In addition, the UK Thyroid Oncology Program has extensive experience helping patients with highly aggressive and/or disseminated thyroid cancers that have proven difficult to treat with standard therapies. We have served such patients from all regions of North America and nearly every continent. We pride ourselves in our efforts to educate and involve patients in their treatment plans, as well as on our attention to maintaining communication with all primary and referring physicians.

Adrenal tumors, endocrine hypertension, or abnormal adrenal hormone function require careful evaluation and management by experienced providers. Patients will receive comprehensive hormonal assessment including dynamic and intra-vascular measurements if needed, adrenal imaging, and hormonal management. We work closely with endocrine surgeons to co-manage patients with adrenal tumors.

Low bone density and osteoporosis are common and can be treated medically. Our providers have expertise in assessment of bone density, including evaluation and screening for associated causes and therapeutic options. Bone density assessments can be performed at the University of Kentucky, or patients can bring in outside records for assessment. 

Disorders of calcium homeostasis can include elevated levels of calcium that is often asymptomatic or decreased levels of calcium. Abnormal calcium levels are often found incidentally on laboratory blood work. Our evaluation of patients with calcium disorders includes diagnostic assessment, analyses of bone such as dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) bone mass measurements, and assessment of need for surgery. We work in close collaboration with the endocrine surgery group and provide both pre- and post-operative assessments in individuals needing neck surgery.

As children reach maturity they need to transition their care to adult endocrinologists. We work in close collaboration with the pediatric endocrine group at the University of Kentucky and will transition care to address the needs of the individual.

Our pituitary program includes comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of pituitary tumors or other hormonal issues with the pituitary. This includes collaboration with radiology and neurosurgery for measurement and monitoring of pituitary gland tumors, pre- and post-operative pituitary hormone assessments, and hormone replacement and monitoring. Evaluation mechanisms include:

• Stimulation and suppression testing to evaluate function of the pituitary gland
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and computerized axial tomography (CT) scans for visualization of a pituitary mass

Treatments include:

• Neurosurgical consultation and procedural evaluation
• Hormonal replacement therapies
• New medical therapies

Low testosterone levels can affect libido, energy, strength, body weight, and cholesterol levels. We provide comprehensive diagnostic testing and testosterone replacement therapy for adult men with low testosterone, including monitoring of safety and side effects.

Our transgender management program offers comprehensive evaluation and hormonal management of transgendered individuals, both male to female and female to male. (We do not provide care for children.)

To schedule an appointment, please call 859-323-2232 and have your primary care provider and/or therapist fax a letter to 859-257-2637. To facilitate your evaluation, current (within the last six months) laboratory evaluations are required, including fasting lipid panel, metabolic panel, liver function tests, and a blood count or hemogram. These can be obtained from your primary care provider.