The Best Endocrinologist Near Me

Long Island Endocrinology

The Endocrinology Team at Heart and Health Medical is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that intricately involve the endocrine system. This specialized branch of medicine encompasses a wide spectrum of health concerns, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, infertility, and obesity, among others.

With a focus on accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment, and patient education, we stand ready to guide you on your journey to hormonal health.

Whether you seek our expertise for a specific condition or require comprehensive endocrine care, rest assured that our team is dedicated to nurturing your hormonal harmony.

The Endocrinology Team at Heart and Health Medical

Endocrinology at Heart and Health Medical

Dr. Alma Devine

Internal Medicine & Endocrinology

Dr. Devine has been practicing medicine for over 12 years, specializing in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology. She specializes in treating a wide array of endocrine disorders with a special interest in treating Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, Insulin Pumps, Weight Management, Adrenal disorders, Thyroid Disorders, Endocrine Disorders in Women, PCOS, Pituitary Disorders, and Osteoporosis.

Endocrinology at Heart and Health Medical

Dr. Julia M. Macchiaroli, Ed.D., MS, RN-C, NE-BC, ANP-C

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Dr. Julia Macchiaroli has been an Adult Nurse practitioner since 1999 after graduating from SUNY Stony Brook and is nationally certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She has experience in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Endocrinology. She is also certified through the ANCC as a nurse executive in gerontological nursing. Aside from private practice, Julia has hospital and nursing home experience, as well as longterm resident and sub-acute care.

Julia Macchiaroli

Endocrinology Experts

Understanding The Endocrine System

The endocrine system, a symphony of glands and organs, takes center stage in regulating the intricate dance of hormones within the body. These remarkable components respond to, modify, and metabolize hormones, guiding a multitude of vital bodily functions. Among the primary organs of the endocrine system are:

  • Thyroid: Regulating metabolism and energy levels.
  • Hypothalamus: Serving as a bridge between the nervous and endocrine systems, orchestrating hormone release.
  • Pineal Body: Influencing sleep patterns and circadian rhythms.
  • Pituitary: Commanding the release of hormones that govern growth, stress response, and more.
  • Parathyroids: Balancing calcium levels in the bloodstream.
  • Adrenals: Managing stress, metabolism, and immune function.
  • Pancreas: Regulating blood sugar through insulin and glycogen production.
  • Testes (in males): Steering reproductive functions and testosterone production.
  • Ovaries (in females): Directing reproductive cycles, hormone production, and fertility.

Harmony in Hormonal Control

The endocrine system’s orchestration encompasses a multitude of bodily functions, including:

  • Metabolism: Balancing energy expenditure and storage.
  • Growth and Development: Guiding physical and reproductive maturation.
  • Stress Response: Managing the body’s reaction to stressors.
  • Blood Sugar Regulation: Maintaining glucose levels within a narrow range.
  • Reproduction: Overseeing fertility, menstrual cycles, and sexual development.
  • Immune Function: Influencing immune responses and inflammation.
  • Circadian Rhythms: Regulating sleep-wake cycles and daily patterns.
Endocrine System

Endocrinology Articles

Long Island Endocrinology Specialists

Endocrinology specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions including:

  • Adrenal Gland Disease
  • Thyroid Disease
  • Pituitary Disease
  • Calcium Metabolism
  • Men’s Reproductive Disorders
  • Women’s Reproductive Disorders
  • Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Narcolepsy
  • Insomnia
  • Restless Leg Syndrome
Diabetes Mellitus: Navigating the Glucose Challenge

Diabetes mellitus, a complex group of diseases, casts a significant impact on the body’s ability to convert glucose into usable energy. This intricate condition, when left unmanaged, can lead to elevated sugar levels in the blood, paving the way for a host of serious health complications.

The Diabetes Dilemma: Unmasking the Numbers

  • Diabetes Prevalence: In the United States, an estimated 37.3 million people grapple with diabetes, encompassing 11.3% of the population.
  • Diagnosed Cases: Among these individuals, 28.7 million have received a formal diagnosis, while 8.5 million remain undiagnosed, underscoring the importance of early detection.
  • Prediabetes Prevalence: A staggering 96 million adults aged 18 years or older live with prediabetes, encompassing a significant 38.0% of the adult U.S. population.
  • Prediabetes in Older Adults: Among those aged 65 years or older, 26.4 million individuals, or 48.8%, face the challenges of prediabetes, highlighting the age-related risk factors.

The Perils of Uncontrolled Diabetes

Diabetes brings forth a range of potential complications, including:

  • Cardiovascular Risks: Elevated blood sugar levels heighten the risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension.
  • Neuropathy: Nerve damage can lead to pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in extremities.
  • Kidney Disease: Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, requiring dialysis or transplantation.
  • Eye Issues: Diabetic retinopathy can cause vision impairment and blindness.
  • Foot Problems: Poor circulation and nerve damage can lead to foot ulcers and amputations.
  • Infections: High sugar levels compromise the immune system, increasing infection susceptibility.

Your thyroid creates and produces hormones that control your metabolism, the process where the food you take into your body is transformed into energy. When your thyroid makes either too much or too little of these important hormones, it’s called a thyroid disease. There are several different types of thyroid disease, including:

Reproductive Issues

Reproductive health issues can affect both men and women. Reproductive systems are made of internal and external sex organs and hormone-producing glands, including the pituitary gland in the brain.

Pituitary Gland Dysfunction

Pituitary Dysfunction

The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain and no larger than the size of a pea, is often called the “master” gland because it produces the hormones that control the functions of the other endocrine glands and organs. These hormones include:

  • Growth hormone, which affects growth and metabolism
  • Prolactin — to stimulate milk production after giving birth
  • ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) — to stimulate the adrenal glands
  • TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) — to stimulate the thyroid gland
  • FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) — to stimulate the ovaries and testes
  • LH (luteinizing hormone) — to stimulate the ovaries and testes
  • Melanocyte-stimulating hormone — to control skin pigmentation
  • ADH (antidiuretic hormone) — to increase the absorption of water into the blood by the kidneys
  • Oxytocin — to contract the uterus during childbirth and stimulate milk production

Adrenal Disease

The adrenal glands, located on the top of each kidney, are responsible for releasing different hormones. Adrenal gland disorders occur when the adrenal glands produce too much or too little of these hormones.

Adrenal Disease