Specialist Physician,
Diabetologist and Endocrinologist
What is a Specialist Physician?
A Specialist Physician (or Internist) is a doctor that has specialized in the
field of Internal Medicine.
This is the area of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases that involve the internal organs and systems of the
body.
These include diseases that affect the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract,
endocrine system, neurological and musculoskeletal systems, infectious
diseases, as well as autoimmune and genetic or inherited disorders.
Specialist Physicians attend to a wide variety of acute and chronic
illnesses that may be beyond the scope of a general practitioner, and
often see patients within a hospital setting.
"To control your hormones
is to control your life."
- Barry Sears
What is a Diabetologist and Endocrinologist?
A Diabetologist and Endocrinologist is a Specialist Physician that has
undergone further training and sub-specialization in the evaluation and
management of diabetes, metabolic and endocrine disorders.
Metabolic disorders are conditions that disrupt or negatively affect
the body’s ability to process certain nutrients such as fats and
carbohydrates, resulting in signs or symptoms of disease.
The endocrine system involves hormones or chemical messengers
in the body, and the glands that produce these. This includes thyroid,
parathyroid, adrenal, reproductive and pituitary disorders.
About the Practice
Dr Pillay’s practice is based at Netcare Kingsway and St Augustine’s Hospitals.
The practice team is comprised of Dr AK Pillay, our friendly reception staff, Mrs Ann Avenant (Kingsway), Mrs Rosemary Ann Webb (St Augustine’s), and clinical assistant, Mrs
Nombuso Mfayela.
Dr AK Pillay
Specialist Physician, Diabetologist and Endocrinologist
Mrs Ann Avenant
Receptionist (Kingsway Practice)
Mrs Rosemary Ann Webb
Receptionist (St Augustine's Practice)
Mrs Nombuso Mfayela
Clinical Assistant
The practice aims to be a safe, welcoming and therapeutic space for all our patients living with metabolic and endocrine diseases, as well as other medical conditions.
The consulting rooms are equipped with the latest diagnostic and digital technology needed for a thorough clinical evaluation.
The following groups of patients would particularly benefit from consulting an Endocrinologist
Diabetes mellitus (type 1, type 2 or other types)
Lipid (cholesterol) disorders
Obesity
Thyroid disorders: hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid); hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid); thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland); thyroid nodules; goitre (enlargement of the thyroid gland).
Disorders of bone metabolism: hyperparathyroidism (high calcium levels); hypoparathyroidism (low calcium levels); osteoporosis (low bone mass); vitamin D deficiency; osteomalacia; rickets.
Adrenal disorders: Addison’s disease (primary adrenal insufficiency), Cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol), Conn’s syndrome (excess aldosterone), suspected or proven endocrine hypertension; phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma (excess catecholamines); congenital adrenal hyperplasia (excess androgens); incidental adrenal adenomas.
Pituitary disorders: hypopituitarism; prolactinomas; acromegaly (excess growth hormone); Cushing’s disease (excess cortisol); incidental pituitary adenomas; short stature; delayed puberty; disorders of sodium balance (diabetes insipidus or SIADH).
Reproductive endocrine disorders: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); primary or secondary amenorrhoea (absent periods); hirsutism (excessive hair growth in women), virilization (development of masculine features in women); gynaecomastia (‘man boobs’); hypogonadism (low sex hormone levels) in males and females; primary and secondary infertility; ambiguous genitalia (disorders of sexual differentiation).
Other hormonal and metabolic conditions
Patients with general medical conditions who require a Specialist Physician are also welcome to consult Dr Pillay.
Both inpatient and outpatient services are offered.
Dr Pillay consults with, and refers to, specialists in other disciplines as needed in the interests of his patients and works with various allied disciplines (eg. dietetics, podiatry, physiotherapy, clinical psychology) to provide a comprehensive care plan.