Spotlight on… Dr Yvonne Chow

What does an endocrinologist do?

An endocrinologist is a doctor who is trained to diagnose and manage diseases that affect the glands and hormones within the body. Our aim is to help the patient to restore hormone balance.

What drew you into the field of endocrinology?

I find hormones fascinating. Hormones are how the body communicates. The endocrine system’s glands and organs secrete hormones, which are the chemical messengers that help various parts of the body to function. I love the fact that we can measure the quantity of hormones in the body as this can really help us treat the hormone imbalance of various conditions in a very targeted way.

What are some signs that your hormones are out of sync?

Fluctuations in weight and irregular periods may point to a hormone imbalance. Other signs may include persistent problems with acne as an adult, excessive hair growth on the face, jawline, upper back, chest, as well as unexplained irritability, and mood fluctuations.

What are some of the common conditions you see in your patients?

The most common conditions I see are diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, menopause, adrenal disorders, and neuroendocrine conditions.

How do you treat hormone issues?

Most hormone problems are very manageable. For example, if your thyroid does not produce enough hormone, we can supplement with thyroid hormone.

How has being bilingual (English, Cantonese) helped you with patient care?

Being able to reach people in a language other than English means that I can immediately improve the rapport with Cantonese-speaking patients. My background also helps me to relate to women from migrant backgrounds generally.

You recently completed a Master of Public Health from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, US. What were some key learnings from this course?

At a broad level, I see the value in having good public health policy and systems in place. For example, I can see around 20 patients per day and help the health of those 20 people. A good public health policy can change the health of thousands or millions of people. We need good policy for good health.

I also learnt a lot about different healthcare systems, which has helped me to appreciate the Australian healthcare system.

What advice would you give to women today in relation to their health?

In a very busy, modern lifestyle, women often do not prioritise their own physical and emotional wellbeing. My advice for women is to ensure they make time to eat well, do regular physical activity and of course, spend time doing things they enjoy. Maintaining a healthy body weight is particularly important for hormonal conditions such as type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome.