Finding the right specialist can feel overwhelming when health issues arise. When you are dealing with thyroid nodules, parathyroid issues, or adrenal problems, you need a doctor who understands the science behind these conditions. An endocrine surgeon in Austin can help you get back to feeling like yourself again.
Dr. Rhett Long is a dedicated provider who makes a difference for his patients. He works at the Dell Medical School Surgical Oncology Clinic. His practice focuses on conditions of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands.
Most people are unaware of what endocrine surgery involves until they require it. These glands control hormones that affect everything in your body. From your metabolism to your blood pressure, these tiny organs pack a powerful punch.
What Does an Endocrine Surgeon Actually Do
An endocrine surgeon treats problems with hormone-producing glands. To become one, a doctor must complete five years of general surgery residency first. Following this, they finish an additional two to three years of specialized fellowship training.
Dr. Long completed his fellowship at the University of Michigan. He is the first endocrine surgeon in Austin focusing exclusively on this specialty within an academic setting. Patients receive care from a professional who stays current with medical advancements.
The thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands are his main focus. These organs sit in vital locations within the body. The thyroid wraps around your windpipe in your neck.
The parathyroid glands sit right behind the thyroid. Your adrenal glands perch on top of your kidneys. Surgical procedures in these areas require precision and experience.
Thyroid Problems That Need Surgery
Most thyroid nodules get found by accident during other medical exams. You might have a CT scan for a different issue entirely. Then the results reveal a thyroid nodule that needs attention.
Sometimes a doctor might feel a lump during a physical exam. This physical detection is becoming less common. Your thyroid normally weighs about 20 grams, roughly the weight of four nickels.
When the gland gets enlarged, it can grow to 100 or 120 grams. You may start having trouble swallowing or breathing when you lie flat. Some people even notice their thyroid bulging in their neck.
There was a woman on social media whose life was saved through this visual method. A viewer noticed a bulge in her neck and suggested she get it checked. That kind of detection happens more often than you might expect.
The thyroid is the first gland that develops in the womb. It starts forming at just four weeks. Every major organ system in your body depends on thyroid hormone to function properly.
When hormone levels are off, you feel unwell. An overactive gland causes anxiety and unexpected weight loss. Too little hormone results in fatigue and weight gain.
Surgery treats these issues effectively. Experienced endocrine surgeons perform a thyroid lobectomy to remove half the gland or a total thyroidectomy to remove all of it. This is common for treating Graves’ disease or thyroid cancer.
When Your Parathyroid Acts Up
About 90% of people with high calcium levels have a parathyroid problem. These four tiny glands control calcium and phosphorous levels in your body. They are each about the size of a grain of rice.
Do not let their small size fool you. When one creates too much hormone, you can get kidney stones. You might feel tired all the time or experience deep bone pain.
Many people with kidney stones never get their parathyroid checked. This is unfortunate because fixing the parathyroid problem can stop the stones from forming. Dr. Long works closely with care endocrinology teams to determine who needs surgery.
Not everyone with a parathyroid nodule needs an operation. When you do, you want someone who performs minimally invasive parathyroid surgery regularly. High volume surgeons who do more than 30 thyroid or parathyroid surgeries a year often have better outcomes.
Adrenal Glands and What They Do
Your adrenal glands make hormones that control blood pressure and stress response. They also contribute to sex hormones that affect reproductive health. These glands sit on top of your kidneys in the back part of your abdomen.
Most adrenal tumors get discovered by accident as well. You might have had imaging for abdominal pain that revealed an unexpected finding. This leads to further investigation.
If you have an adrenal nodule, you should get blood tests. These check if the nodule is making extra hormones. One type of tumor makes adrenaline, which can send your blood pressure soaring.
Dr. Long has seen patients on multiple blood pressure medications. Sometimes nobody checked their adrenal gland previously. After removing the tumor, some patients can stop all their medications.
The adrenal gland sits right next to major blood vessels. Surgery there requires moving your intestines out of the way. The surgeon works right next to the aorta and vena cava.
Conditions like Cushing’s syndrome or adrenocortical carcinoma require swift intervention. In some cases, genetic conditions like multiple endocrine neoplasia can cause these issues. Treating these disorders correctly is vital for long-term health.
Why Neck Surgery Needs a Specialist
Dr. Long calls the neck the best anatomy in the body. It is clean and organized compared to other surgical areas. However, it is also packed with critical structures in a small space.
The nerves that control your vocal cords run within a millimeter of the thyroid. If those get injured, your voice becomes hoarse. You might have trouble swallowing as well.
The parathyroid glands can lose their blood supply during thyroid surgery. This is why experienced endocrine care is essential. A surgeon who does these operations regularly knows how to protect those structures.
Head and neck anatomy is complex. Medical students study it separately to understand the intricacies. That level of expertise is built over years of training.
Medical Treatments and Procedure Types
Patients often have questions about surgery type and options. Minimally invasive surgery is the standard for many endocrine procedures. This approach reduces recovery time and scarring.
Some patients may ask about robotic surgery. While available in some fields, standard minimally invasive techniques are often preferred for the neck. The primary goal is safety and effectiveness.
Below is a breakdown of common glands and issues treated:
| Gland | Common Conditions | Typical Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid Gland | Nodules, Goiter, Cancer | Swelling, Fatigue, Voice Changes |
| Parathyroid Glands | Hyperparathyroidism | Kidney Stones, Bone Pain |
| Adrenal Glands | Cushing’s Syndrome, Tumors | High Blood Pressure, Anxiety |
In cases of thyroid cancer, treatment might include radioactive iodine after surgery. For rare cases like neuroendocrine tumors, the approach is highly specific. Dr. Long helps patients understand which medical treatments are best for them.
Finding an Endocrine Surgeon in Austin
Dr. Long’s office is in the Health Transformation Building next to Dell Seton Medical Center. You can reach his office at 512-495-5717. He accepts patients who need primary surgical care or those seeking a second opinion.
Second opinions are valuable in medicine. Sometimes you receive a recommendation for surgery when it is not necessary. Other times you are told to wait when action is required.
Getting another expert’s perspective helps you make informed decisions. Dr. Long welcomes second opinion consultations for any endocrine condition. Whether it is thyroid, parathyroid, or adrenal related, he can provide guidance.
Most endocrine surgery is not cancer related. This might surprise you since he works in a surgical oncology clinic. The vast majority of thyroid nodules and gland tumors are benign.
Taking Control of Your Healthcare
You need to be your own advocate in healthcare. If you have had a CT scan or MRI of your abdomen or neck, read the report yourself. Do not assume someone else caught everything important.
Too many findings get overlooked. A radiologist might mention an adrenal nodule in the report. If your doctor misses it, your condition goes untreated.
That nodule could be causing your high blood pressure. It might explain why you lack energy. The only way to know is to get the proper workup done.
If you have kidney stones, ask about your calcium levels. If they are high, you need your parathyroid evaluated. These simple steps can positively affect your life.
What to Expect from Endocrine Surgery
Most thyroid surgeries take longer than patients expect. If the only goal was to remove the butterfly-shaped gland, it would take 20 or 30 minutes. However, protecting nearby lymph nodes and nerves makes it technical.
The operation centers on preserving what needs to stay. Your vocal cord nerves, your parathyroid glands, and all the blood vessels require careful attention. Experienced endocrine surgeons prioritize safety above speed.
Adrenal surgery is similarly complex. The gland sits in a tight space surrounded by vital structures. Surgeons must move organs carefully and work near major blood vessels.
Recovery varies depending on the specific procedure. Most people find the process manageable. Endocrine surgery has improved greatly regarding minimizing complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions affect the endocrine system most often?
The most common endocrine disorders treated involve the thyroid and parathyroid. Conditions include nodules, hyperparathyroidism, and hormone imbalances. Adrenal issues like syndrome pheochromocytoma are less common but serious.
Does surgery affect reproductive health?
Hormones affect body growth and reproductive function. By correcting an overactive gland or removing tumors, surgery restores balance. This often improves overall health, including reproductive health.
What if cancer is found in the nearby lymph nodes?
If cancer adrenal or thyroid issues spread, the surgeon removes affected lymph nodes. This is part of how surgery treats invasive disease. Follow-up medical treatments may be required.
If you are dealing with a thyroid nodule, high calcium levels, or an adrenal mass, do not wait. Get the evaluation you need from someone who specializes in these exact problems. Finding the right endocrine surgeon Austin has to offer is the first step toward better health.