With a growing prevalence of endocrine problems, India, the largest country in South Asia and the home to a sizable section of the world’s population, is currently experiencing a huge epidemiological shift. Significant health issues are being brought to light across the country such as the prevalence of thyroid disorders and diabetes. Because of the wide regional and state level differences in socioeconomic status, food habits, and ethnicity that exist in India, a tailored approach to treatment is required. This calls for the need for a qualified endocrinologist.

Dr Muthu Kumaran Jeyapaul completed his undergraduate studies at Annamalai University in 1996 before traveling to the United Kingdom for further medical education. “My medical career began with my MRCP training in the UK, which involved a lot of general medical admission work and ward clinical responsibility.

My confidence to pursue further medical education and endocrinology training in the UK was boosted by this experience. I then completed my MD research thesis (PhD equivalent) in Diabetes and Genetics at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne receiving the highly sought-after research fellowship. A five-year training program certified by the EU called the Specialist Training Program (CCST) came next. Working in prestigious tertiary referral facilities such as Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s Freeman Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) was a part of my training at the Northern Deanery. There were plenty of research prospects in Endocrinology and Diabetes at RVI which is a historic hospital with a sizable endocrine department”, adds Dr Jeyapaul.

Dr Jeyapaul upon his return to India, established the Arka Center for Hormonal Health in Chennai in 2011, which is now one of Tamil Nadu’s top referral facilities for adult and pediatric endocrinology. Arka strives to offer cutting-edge, individualized endocrine care using a comprehensive strategy. The center provide Dynamic hormonal testing, FNAC of the thyroid, Nutrition services, Cognitive behavior therapy and Daycare facilities in addition to expert consultations. Arka also runs a satellite facility in Anna Nagar for serving Northern Chennai and the adjacent districts.

Navigating Complexities in Endocrinology

“I see a wide range of clinical presentations and symptoms in my work as an endocrinologist. Each patient calls for a thorough assessment and appropriate investigations to complete a challenging diagnosis. Differentiating human variation and disease is an important part of my profession. This entails evaluating anomalous test findings to unusual patterns of physical growth to see if they point to the existence of a disease”, asserts Dr Jeyapaul.

“A particularly noteworthy instance was a young girl from a rural family who, at the age of two, began exhibiting signs of pubertal development and early maturation. Besides confirming the diagnosis, informing her family about the illness and making them aware of the need for treatment was especially difficult. Following a comprehensive assessment and education, we started the right course of treatment, and over several years, she has grown and matured normally”, continues Dr Jeyapaul.

It is crucial to have a thorough under-standing of laboratory testing proce-dures, biochemistry, biological feedback mechanisms between glands & its target organs

Patient Education & Lifestyle Recommendations

Every clinical appointment at Arka Center for Hormonal Health offers patients a chance to learn. Dr Jeyapaul, in addition to standard evidence-based treatments, educates his patients about their diseases and the need to make lifestyle modifications. Coaching involves managing sick day plans at home and importance of adhering to drug regimens for uncommon ailments. Arka offers 3-4 day long patient education sessions per year that addresses a variety of endocrine issues and include subjects such as managing diabetes, thyroid education, preventing heart disease and others. Dr Jeyapaul advocates adhering to international agencies’ norms for sound endocrine practice. He recommends calorie-controlled diets customized to meet specific nutritional requirements, engaging in regular physical exercise suited to individual lifestyles, establish regular sleep patterns and to keep inactive activities within permissible limits.

Staying Updated with Advancements

Dr Jeyapaul stays at the forefront of endocrinology by continuously improving his knowledge and abilities. Endocrinology is a dynamic field where no two individuals have the same symptoms upon presentation, necessitating ongoing education and modification. Rapid advancements in laboratory technology have greatly enhanced the diagnostic capabilities. Arka’s laboratory, with state-of the-art equipment, can now complete most tests in 45–60 minutes. The diagnostic procedure has been made even simpler by developments in diagnostic imaging, including CT, MRI, PET, and gamma camera imaging.

“I believe these advancements to be especially intriguing due to ongoing developments in the field of genetics and molecular biology permitting for patient centric precision medicine. This individualized approach is quite helpful in managing less common illnesses such as thyroid cancer as well as more common ones like diabetes. The care of diabetes has been transformed by technological advancements such as closed-loop pump systems and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices, which make it simpler for patients to control their condition at home. By incorporating the most recent developments and techniques in endocrinology into my practice, our commitment guarantees that we give our patients the most cutting-edge and efficient clinical care possible”, concludes Dr Jeyapaul.