Endocrinology in Ireland

Endocrinology is the field of medicine that relates to the endocrine system, which is the system that controls hormones. Endocrinologists are specifically trained physicians who diagnose and treat diseases related to hormones, the glands, and tissues that produce them, as well as complications that may be caused by them. They work closely with other specialists, such as specialists in ophthalmology, obstetrics, radiation oncology, and otolaryngology. The conditions that endocrinologists commonly treat are as follows:

• Diabetes​​​​​​
• Menopause
• Osteoporosis
• Metabolic disorders
• Thyroid diseases
• Certain types of cancers
• Short stature
• Excessive or insufficient production of hormones
• Infertility
• Transplantation
• Gender dysphoria

Endocrinology treatment usually involves controlling the amount of hormone the body produces. The goal of the treatment is to restore the normal balance of hormones found in a person’s body. The following are some of the procedures that an endocrinologist perform:

• Bariatric procedures (such as gastric bypass surgery)
• Adrenalectomy
• CT scan
• MRI
• Pancreas transplant
• Thyroidectomy
• Thyroid fine-needle aspiration
• Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy
• Brain stereotactic radiosurgery
• Home enteral nutrition
• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS)
• Lipid management
• Transnasal endoscopic procedures
• Wound care
• Feminizing hormone therapy
• Facial feminization surgery
• Feminizing surgery
• Top surgery for transgender men/women
• Voice feminizing therapy and surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Ireland?

Your length of stay in Ireland depends on the type of procedure you underwent. In general, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days after treatments, particularly after surgery, then plan to stay in Ireland for at least 7 to 14 more days. During your stay, you will attend follow-up checkups where your endocrinologist monitors your healing progress and, if needed, will remove any stitches. For diagnostic procedures, you may be able to leave the hospital on the same day, then plan to stay in Ireland for 3 to 7 days until the results are available.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

While the recovery time can vary from one person to another, depending on the procedure you underwent and your overall health, you may be advised to take a week or two off of work. It may also take around 6 weeks until you fully recover and are allowed to perform strenuous activities, such as exercise. Your endocrinologist will give you a detailed recovery timeline.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your endocrinologist will give you a set of instructions that you need to follow after your treatment. In general, you may need to take the medicine (if any) as prescribed and have a healthy lifestyle, such as having enough sleep, follow a healthy and balanced diet, and exercise regularly. You may also need to attend regular checkups to check on your condition with your local doctor.

What's the Success Rate?

The field of endocrinology has advanced, with cutting-edge technology, new medicines, sophisticated imaging and diagnostic equipment, and innovative therapies that have helped to increase the success rate of endocrinology procedures. There are risks of side effects and complications which include infection, allergic reaction to the anesthesia, bleeding, and injury to nearby organs.

Are there Alternatives?

There is no alternative to endocrinology. If you have any conditions mentioned above, you may need to see an endocrinologist. If your condition is found out to be caused by other problems unrelated to endocrinology, your endocrinologist will refer you to the relevant specialist.

Endocrinology in and around Ireland

Introduction

Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is a country located in north-western Europe that occupies 26 of 32 counties on the island of Ireland. The country’s breath-taking landscape, wonderful people, and fascinating history have made it an unforgettable destination for many visitors. Aside from its beauty, more and more people also come to Ireland for high-quality healthcare. The country is a newcomer to the medical tourism market. However, it’s seen as an increasingly attractive destination due to the reasonably priced and high standard of clinical care available in the country. Most foreign patients come for cosmetic surgery and dental treatments, but many hospitals and clinics in the country offer a wide variety of services, such as cardiology, pathology, pulmonary, and gynecology. Also, the Joint Commission International has accredited several hospitals in the country, most of which are located in Dublin.

Popular Cities and Regions in Ireland

Ireland’s capital and largest city, Dublin, is the most popular tourist destination within the country. In fact, it’s the fourth most visited European capital. It’s filled with excellent pubs serving the perfect pint of Guinness, amazing Georgian architecture, and layers of fascinating history. Tourists in this city usually visit the Guinness Storehouse Factory, tour the Old Jameson Distillery, admire the Spire of Dublin, explore Dublin Castle, and marvel at the beauty of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Another famous city is Cork, which is the second-largest city in the country. It’s a youthful cosmopolitan city packed with artisan coffee bars and snug pubs. Tourists usually come to kiss the Blarney Stone for good luck, enjoy the coastal landscape in Mizen Head, or hike around Gougane Barra. Other popular cities and towns include Galway, Killarney, Kilkenny, and Letterkenny. 

Transport in Ireland

The main airport in Ireland is Dublin Airport. It connects the country with numerous cities around the world, including New York, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong. Trains and buses are available to travel around the country. However, public transportation is generally sparse in rural areas. Therefore, renting a car is the best mode of transport. Taxis and Uber are available to travel inside major cities.

Visas in Ireland

Ireland has opted out of the Schengen Area. The country allows all EU citizens, as well as citizens of 56 other countries (such as the UAE and the US), to stay without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are required to apply for a visa in advance.

Weather in Ireland

Summer (June – September) provides plenty of sunshine and lower levels of rainfall, with an average temperature of 14°C - 16°C. Winter (October – February) is chilly, with ample rainfall and some snow. Spring and autumn are generally pleasant, with warmer temperatures and more sunshine.  

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the euro. 1 EUR is approx. 1.08 USD.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are easy to find. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Tipping is expected in some places, typically 10% for decent service.
3. Local Language: There are several languages used in Ireland. English has been the predominant first language since the late 18th century, but Irish is still widely used by a small percentage of the population.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The constitution of Ireland guarantees freedom of religion. Christianity is the largest religion. However, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Neo-Paganism, and other religions are present.
5. Public Holidays:  Some of the most celebrated public holidays are New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Monday, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day.