Carolina Endocrine offers specialized care for complex hormone disorders, metabolism and more
For Charleston-area patients, endocrinology can mean far more than routine care for diabetes and thyroid conditions. Physicians also treat rare and complex hormone disorders requiring specialized expertise.
Dr. Sonali Koirala, M.D., the newest physician at Carolina Endocrine Associates, said she was drawn to the specialty because hormones influence so many aspects of health.
“Many people are surprised to learn that endocrine disorders have many different causes,” Koirala says. “Some thyroid diseases, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, are autoimmune. Others may result from genetics, aging, medications, benign growths or hormonal changes.”
Common conditions Dr. Koirala treats include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, osteoporosis and osteopenia. She can also diagnose and manage adrenal conditions such as adrenal nodules, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing’s syndrome and primary aldosteronism.
The comprehensive endocrine care practice also addresses less-common disorders, including adrenal and pituitary tumors like pheochromocytoma, acromegaly, multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes and disorders affecting hormone production.
“Many endocrine conditions develop gradually, and people often live with symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, bone loss or changes in mood for months — or even years — before they have answers,” Dr. Koirala says. “I find it incredibly rewarding to help patients understand what’s happening in their bodies and reassure them that there is often an explanation for what they are experiencing.”
