Endocrinology Program

Endocrinology focuses on disorders of the endocrine glands (thyroid gland, pituitary gland, etc.) and its secretions, called hormones. For the body to work properly, the cells that make up the body must communicate with each other. Hormones help the cells “talk” to each other and help regulate rate of metabolism (transformation of food into energy), growth and reproductive development, and functioning.

Diseases We Treat

Jennifer Janssen, MD, leads the Endocrinology Program at National Jewish Health, and she treats a variety of general adult endocrinology diseases. She primarily treats the following conditions:

• Diabetes
  • Type 1 Diabetes (formerly known as juvenile diabetes) – With this type of diabetes, the body attacks the pancreas, which produces insulin. Insulin is a hormone that moves sugar from blood into the body’s cells to provide energy.
  • Type 2 Diabetes – With this type of diabetes, insulin does not efficiently move sugar from the bloodstream to the body’s cells, which results in high blood sugar. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes.
  • Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes – This type of diabetes shares features of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but it is a very distinct form of the disease. The Endocrinology Program partners with the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic to help those patients with disease-related diabetes. Nearly 50 percent of adults with cystic fibrosis have diabetes.
• Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones, can be caused by many endocrine-related issues, such as vitamin D deficiency, too much or too little thyroid hormone, severe obesity, protein malnutrition, and estrogen deficiency. The Endocrinology Program partners with National Jewish Health rheumatologists to treat osteoporosis patients.
• Incidental Thyroid Nodules – An incidental thyroid nodule is a lump of tissue within the thyroid gland, and it is usually detected during a routine physical exam or on a CT scan performed for other reasons. Although such nodules are usually benign, a biopsy is taken using fine needle aspiration for further investigation. If the nodule is cancerous, patients are referred to University of Colorado Hospital for further treatment.
• Obesity – Obesity means that a person has an excess amount of body fat to the point that his or her health is impaired. Obesity can lead to health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea.

Current Research

In addition to clinical treatment, the National Jewish Health Endocrinology Program also is involved in related research. Dr. Janssen is a co-investigator in current research on cystic fibrosis related diabetes.

Contact us

We are currently accepting new patients. To make an appointment, call 1-800-222-5864.