Endocrine & Diabetes
Our team of specialists will help you control and live with these diseases
If you have diabetes or another endocrine disease such as a thyroid disorder or osteoporosis, it is essential that you receive proper care in order to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. At the Endocrine & Diabetes Centre, we collaborate with other clinical units of HKSH to offer a comprehensive, one-stop service for patients with these diseases. Our commitment is to provide holistic treatment and care to patients, with a special focus on patient education and prevention of diseases and complications.
Our highly capable team of medical professionals includes:
- Endocrinologists (diabetes specialist)
- Ophthalmologists
- Registered dietitians
- Registered nurses
- Podiatrists
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
About Endocrine Diseases & Diabetes
What are endocrine diseases?
There are many endocrine diseases that are related to the malfunctioning of the endocrine system. Common examples include hormonal disorders (symptoms or diseases related to menstruation in women and sexual dysfunction in men), diabetes, thyroid disorders (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and goitre), osteoporosis, side effects due to excessive use of steroids, obesity and obesity-related metabolic syndrome.
Hormones are secretions by endocrine glands into the blood system for functions that are responsible for sustaining a stable internal environment (e.g., a blood glucose level of 4-8 mmol/L or body temperature of around 37°C).
Common endocrine diseases include:
Common pituitary disorders include elevated levels of prolactin (a hormone), which result in menstrual irregularities and/or lactation. These are usually due to hyperplasia/a benign tumour of prolactin-producing cells or other types of pituitary tumours. Delayed treatment may cause permanent visual damage or lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis in women.
Secondary hypertension is a common adrenal gland disorder. Early detection and treatment can cure or manage its conditions.
Excessively high or low levels of calcium in the blood may cause constipation, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea and other symptoms. It usually involves hyperparathyroidism caused by tumours or damage to the parathyroid gland during surgical treatment for hyperthyroidism.
Hormonal disorders may cause impotence in men and polycystic ovary syndrome in women, or other conditions.
Common thyroid diseases include hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism may cause symptoms such as a rapid heart rate or involuntary weight loss. Prolonged neglect of these conditions can damage heart function and lead to osteoporosis. Hypothyroidism may cause weight gain, lethargy and higher risks of hypothermia in cold weather and coma if a serious illness is contracted. Thyroid tumours may also be associated with thyroid diseases.
Common endocrine diseases include obesity, metabolic syndrome (i.e. central obesity: a waist circumference of >90 cm in men and >80 cm in women and two of the following conditions: hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL level or diabetes) and osteoporosis.
Diabetes is the most well-known pancreatic disorder. Our Centre offers a wide range of assessment and treatment programmes for patients with diabetes.
What is diabetes?
People with diabetes have problems regulating the amount of glucose (sugar) in their blood. This happens because insulin production is insufficient or insulin does not function properly. Thus, glucose cannot be converted into the energy we need. This results in increased blood glucose levels, and the extra glucose will be excreted in urine.
What are the long-term complications of diabetes?
Persistent high blood glucose levels may lead to vascular and nerve damage, which in turn affects organ functions. People with diabetes are at risk of developing one or more of the following complications:
These conditions may lead to blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people aged 20 to 74. Patients with diabetes are 25 times more likely to lose their eyesight.
Diabetes is the most common cause of end-stage renal failure. It is estimated that 20 to 40% of people with diabetes will develop kidney disease.
People with diabetes are 4 times more likely to have heart disease and stroke.
These conditions may lead to serious foot ulcers that require an amputation. Diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower leg amputation. Patients are 20 – 40 times more likely to require this procedure.
More than 10% of men with diabetes suffer from sexual dysfunction.
Services
Endocrine diseases
Endocrine diseases are usually caused by hyperactivity, hypoactivity or tumours of the endocrine system. To assist the diagnosis and treatment by our endocrinologists, it is crucial to have accurate measurements of hormonal levels and precise imaging by radiology and nuclear medicine to locate the malfunctioned part of the endocrine system. In collaboration with the Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre and the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, our endocrinologists are well supported to provide treatment that is most appropriate, safe and effective.
Diabetes
You may not notice anything abnormal even if you have diabetes or a complication of diabetes. Early detection and intervention are the best ways to prevent or delay complications. For more information, please refer to the pamphlet on our Diabetes Assessment and Complications Screening Programme.
How to prevent/delay complications related to diabetes and endocrine diseases
Controlling body weight is an important step in preventing or delaying endocrine diseases. If your obesity is extreme, you may consider a surgical procedure such as sleeve gastrectomy, the most commonly performed procedure globally. This procedure is safe and easy, with minimal long-term complications.
It is vital that diabetic patients maintain their blood glucose levels within the normal target range to reduce the risk of developing complications. Even if complications arise, they may not notice any abnormal symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional who can detect problems long before symptoms appear. Early detection and intervention are the best ways to prevent or delay complications.
In severe cases, diabetic or metabolic surgery may be indicated. Surgery is internationally recognised as a standard treatment for type 2 diabetes in appropriately selected patients. Metabolic surgery is recommended for Asian patients with a BMI of 27.5 kg/m² or higher when hyperglycaemia is inadequately controlled through lifestyle and medical therapies.
You may not notice anything abnormal even if you have diabetes or a complication of diabetes. Early detection and intervention are the best ways to prevent or delay complications. For more information, please refer to the pamphlet on our Diabetes Assessment and Complications Screening Programme.
Patient Resources
- Article
- 25 Jun 2026
- Article
- 28 Apr 2026
- Article
- 6 Aug 2025
- Article
- 10 Dec 2024
Contact Us
Happy Valley
- Address:
- 10/F, Li Shu Pui Block,
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital,
2 Village Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
- Service hours:
-
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Consultation by Appointment
- Tel.:
- (852) 2835 8683
- Email:
- [javascript protected email address]
- Fax:
- (852) 2892 7513
- WhatsApp:
-
(852) 6290 6607
(For non-emergency cases)
Admiralty
- Address:
- 22/F, One Pacific Place,
88 Queensway Hong Kong
- Service hours:
-
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Consultation by Appointment
- Tel.:
- (852) 2855 6688
- Email:
- [javascript protected email address]
- Fax:
- (852) 2892 7438
- WhatsApp:
-
(852) 2855 6688
(For non-emergency cases)