Pediatric Endocrinology

Expert hormone care for growing kids

Hormones play a vital role in your child’s development, and at UTMB Health, we’re here to help ensure they grow and thrive at every stage. Our pediatric endocrinology team diagnoses and treats hormone-related conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. From growth disorders and early or delayed puberty to diabetes and thyroid conditions, we provide expert, compassionate care to meet your child’s unique needs.

We understand that navigating a health concern in your child can be stressful. That’s why our team takes the time to listen, explain, and create personalized treatment plans in a supportive, family-centered environment. Whether your child needs ongoing care or a one-time evaluation, you can expect nothing less than high-quality care close to home.

  Conditions We Treat

Diabetes

Calcium Metabolism Disorders

Other Conditions

Pituitary and Thyroid Disorders

Growth and Puberty Disorders

Girl with diabetes checking blood glucose level at home using continuous glucose monitor.

  Additional Services & Procedures

We've highlighted some of the most common services—please explore the conditions list for treatments by condition.

Little diabetic boy covering his eyes while doctor uses lancet pen to check his glucose at table in clinic

Can’t find what you're looking for? Contact the care team at the clinic for assistance.

  Your Care Team Each provider may treat different conditions. Click on a profile to see their areas of specialty.

  Additional Resources

 Frequently Asked Questions

Female doctor making thyroid sonogram for female child patient

  Our Locations

doctor checking man's neck

Understanding options for thyroid abnormalities

thyroid illustration

The thyroid gland is an important organ in the base of the neck that is located two fingerbreadths below the Adam’s apple. It is responsible for producing thyroid hormones, which are chemicals released directly into the bloodstream. Thyroid hormones are necessary for growth, nerve development and maintenance, menstrual cycles, reproduction, and regulation of energy metabolism.

Things that happen to the thyroid gland are quite common. Its function can be overactive or underactive. It can become inflamed. Nodules in the thyroid gland are very common. Some of these nodules may even develop cancer, although thyroid cancer is not as risky as other common cancers, like breast, lung and colon. Overall, 1 in 8 persons in the United States will develop a thyroid condition somewhere in their lifetimes. More women than men are affected by thyroid conditions, but they aren’t rare among men, either.

Primary care physicians will frequently screen for thyroid conditions to evaluate changes in mood, energy, bowel habits, temperature sensitivity and heart function. Untreated thyroid conditions may lead to heart disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, infertility, changes in the menstrual cycle, and problems with swallowing, breathing and hoarseness can result. They can start appropriate treatments but will frequently consult with specialists for additional team-based care.

Endocrinologists are internal-medicine specialists that diagnose and treat hormonal and metabolic disorders. The major condition that endocrinologists treat is diabetes mellitus, but we also specialize in thyroid disorders, calcium and bone health disorders, high cholesterol and other lipid disorders, and a variety of other hormonal conditions. Any of our Stark Diabetes (Endocrinology) Clinic physicians can evaluate and manage thyroid conditions; however, in our Victory Lakes Town Center clinic, we offer evaluation of the thyroid gland with a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine.

If your condition requires it, two of our faculty members (Drs. Veena Kesireddy and Pooja Manroa) are able to conduct ultrasound-guided biopsies of the thyroid gland and associated nodules, then coordinate care with ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians if surgery is necessary. For overactive thyroid glands, we can prescribe medications for long-term control, or work with nuclear medicine physicians to deliver therapy. For underactive thyroid glands, we can replace hormones with FDA-approved synthetic medications.

Our practice believes that appropriate correction of abnormal thyroid conditions will lead to the enjoyment of a healthy life. Our physicians can recommend the best approach for patients experiencing these conditions.

Kevin H. McKinney, MD

Kevin H. McKinney, MD, FACE, FACP, is a Professor and Chief ad interim, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, at UTMB. He is a general endocrinologist with an interest in calcium and bone metabolism, diabetes and hyperthyroidism.

Endocrinology Services

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