Dr. John Tourtelot, MD is an Endocrinology specialist practicing at our Tampa, FL clinic, dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive Endocrine care for older adults. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in your senior health journey, Dr. Tourtelot specializes in managing complex hormonal conditions common in seniors, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and osteoporosis, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care for older adults (65+) and those managing age-related endocrine conditions. He is currently welcoming new patients and encourages you to call (813) 745-4673 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Tourtelot, a board-certified endocrinologist with over 30 years of experience, brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. A specialist in the endocrinology program at Moffitt Cancer Center, he earned his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 1990 and completed an internship at Oakland Naval Hospital in 1991. His further training includes a residency in internal medicine at Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA and a fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, along with a one-year clinical research program at the National Institutes of Health. His research interests include tumors of the endocrine system, specifically thyroid cancer. Dr. Tourtelot provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. John Tourtelot is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Tourtelot is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive endocrine care with a focus on managing complex hormonal conditions. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and other specialists, ensuring a holistic approach that prioritizes the individual needs and goals of each patient. This collaborative care model creates a supportive network, maximizing comfort and independence for seniors facing hormonal challenges like diabetes, thyroid disorders, and osteoporosis.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. John Tourtelot can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Cigna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna HMO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Humana
- LocalPlus
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- Open Access Plus
- Preferred PPO
- Select HMO
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. John Tourtelot provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis: With autoimmune thyroiditis, your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid, affecting hormone production; treatment, usually involving medication, aims to keep your hormones at the correct levels, allowing you to maintain independence and enjoy your life.
- Hypopituitarism: The pituitary gland's role in hormone production is vital, and when it underperforms (hypopituitarism), it can cause several symptoms, but with regular medical care and hormone replacement, you can live a full and active life.
- Drug Induced Thyroiditis: Some medications can trigger inflammation in your thyroid, causing a condition called drug-induced thyroiditis. With careful monitoring and medication adjustments by your doctor, symptoms can often be managed effectively.
- Secondary Diabetes Mellitus: Secondary diabetes isn't caused directly by your body's inability to produce or use insulin, but rather by another underlying issue. Managing that underlying issue alongside careful blood sugar monitoring can help you stay active and healthy.
- Obesity: Carrying extra weight, known as obesity, poses risks to your health; but by working with your doctor and making gradual lifestyle changes, you can reduce those risks and live a healthier, more comfortable life.
- Hypoparathyroidism: This condition, hypoparathyroidism, affects how your body uses calcium, which is crucial for strong bones and healthy nerves; by carefully following your doctor's recommendations, you can minimize symptoms and maintain your independence.
- Acromegaly and Gigantism: While acromegaly and gigantism can be challenging conditions involving abnormal growth hormone production, modern medicine offers treatments to control symptoms and improve the overall well-being of seniors allowing them to live more comfortably.
- Mineral Metabolism Disorders: Problems with how your body uses minerals like calcium and phosphorus are called mineral metabolism disorders. These can affect your bones and overall health, but with the right care planincluding diet and medicationyou can manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a rare inherited condition where the adrenal glands don't produce certain hormones correctly, often requiring lifelong hormone replacement therapy to maintain health and well-being.
- Abnormal Thyroid: If your thyroid isn't functioning correctly, you may experience changes in energy levels or other symptoms, but regular check-ups and appropriate treatment, like hormone replacement if necessary, can keep you healthy and active.
- Hyperparathyroidism: Hyperparathyroidism is a condition where your parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, which can weaken your bones and lead to kidney stones, but with proper management, like medication or surgery, you can significantly reduce symptoms and improve your overall health.
- Carcinoid Syndrome: If you have a carcinoid tumor, it may release extra hormones into your body, causing symptoms like flushing, digestive issues, and heart problems; treatment focuses on managing these symptoms and slowing or stopping the tumor's growth to maintain your well-being.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. John Tourtelot offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: The oral glucose tolerance test is a key tool in identifying prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, allowing for early intervention and preventing serious complications.
- ACTH (Cosyntropin) Stimulation Test: This simple test measures your body's response to a hormone, helping doctors diagnose conditions affecting your adrenal glands and guiding treatment decisions.
- Thyroid Biopsy: For seniors with thyroid issues, a biopsy offers valuable information about the nature of a nodule, helping doctors to create the best care plan for long-term health.
- Diabetes Counseling: This supportive service helps seniors create a comprehensive diabetes management plan, including strategies to prevent complications and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Diabetic Evaluation: A diabetic evaluation helps your doctor assess your blood sugar levels and overall health to create a personalized diabetes management plan.
- Thyroid Screening: As you age, thyroid problems become more common; screening helps identify these issues early so you can receive appropriate care and maintain your well-being.
- Thyroid Nodule Evaluation: Through careful examination of thyroid nodules, your doctor can diagnose and monitor conditions like goiters or hyperthyroidism, helping maintain your overall well-being.
- Thyroid Scan: If you're experiencing symptoms suggesting thyroid issues, a thyroid scan is a key diagnostic tool that assists your doctor in creating a comprehensive care plan tailored to your individual needs.
- Aspiration or Injection of Thyroid Cyst: As part of your senior care, aspiration or injection of a thyroid cyst can help determine if the cyst is benign or requires further intervention for optimal thyroid health.
- Dexamethasone Suppression Test: This simple test assists in diagnosing Cushing's syndrome, a condition affecting hormone balance, helping your doctor create a personalized treatment plan.
- Diabetes Screening: Diabetes screening is a vital step in creating a comprehensive care plan, enabling doctors to tailor treatment to your specific needs.
- Water Deprivation Test: By measuring hormone levels after controlled water restriction, this test can assist in creating a personalized care plan for conditions affecting hormone balance in seniors.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Endocrinology in Florida.
Dr. John Tourtelot is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- Mrs. Hernandez felt a renewed sense of energy and confidence after successfully managing her autoimmune thyroiditis with medication. She was able to resume her beloved painting hobby, a source of great joy and accomplishment.
- With hormone replacement therapy, a senior regained energy and enthusiasm for their favorite hobby, painting, a cherished activity that had been significantly impacted by hypopituitarism. The family felt a sense of peace and security knowing their loved one was more comfortable and healthier at home.
- A senior woman, previously experiencing fatigue and mood swings, found her energy returning and her overall well-being improving after careful medication adjustments by an endocrinologist. Her family felt a sense of relief knowing she could enjoy her favorite activities once again.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- Bilateral testicular adrenal rest tumors in a patient with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia EC Robertset al., 2021-05-03
Here are answers to some common questions about Endocrine care with Dr. John Tourtelot:
- What is an Endocrinologist?
- Dr. Tourtelot and our team are endocrinologists, meaning we specialize in the endocrine system, which includes glands and the hormones they produce. We are experts in managing chronic conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, and osteoporosis to help seniors maintain overall health and prevent complications.
- My primary care doctor manages my diabetes. Why would I need to see an endocrinologist?
- Your primary care doctor does an excellent job managing your diabetes. However, an endocrinologist can be a valuable partner when blood sugar control is challenging, complications arise, or advanced treatments like insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors are needed. We work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for your health.
- How are high cholesterol and triglycerides managed?
- Managing high cholesterol is essential to prevent heart problems. Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise are often the first steps. If lifestyle changes aren't enough, Dr. Tourtelot can prescribe medications, such as statins, to help lower cholesterol to a healthy level.
- What can be done to treat osteoporosis?
- Treatment for osteoporosis focuses on preventing fractures. This includes ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and fall prevention strategies. Dr. Tourtelot can prescribe medications to slow bone loss or build new bone for those at higher risk.
- My doctor found a lump or 'nodule' on my thyroid. Is it cancer?
- Thyroid nodules are very common, and the overwhelming majority are benign. Dr. Tourtelot will likely order an ultrasound to evaluate the nodule, and if needed, a simple fine-needle aspiration biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
- What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause?
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment to relieve common symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It involves taking medication containing female hormones to replace the ones the body no longer makes. Dr. Tourtelot can discuss the potential benefits and risks of HRT based on your individual health profile.
- What are the common symptoms of a thyroid problem?
- Common thyroid problems can cause symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and constipation (hypothyroidism), or weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and anxiety (hyperthyroidism). These symptoms can be subtle in seniors, but a simple blood test can check thyroid function to determine if there's a problem.
- What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
- In Type 1 diabetes, the body doesn't produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes, far more common in seniors, is when the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't use it properly. Dr. Tourtelot is an expert in creating personalized management plans for both types.
12902 Usf Magnolia Dr
Tampa FL 33612
Phone: (813) 745-4673
Dr. John Tourtelot, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1174577159
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Endocrinology like Dr. John Tourtelot are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.