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SPECIALTIES & SERVICES

Medical Specialties
Nursing
Clinical Support
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Facilities

Endocrinology

Endocrinology

The endocrinology service provides tertiary level care in hormonal and metabolic disorders.  Our team comprises doctors with varied and complementary interests in different aspects of endocrinology.  We are committed to medical excellence and providing our patients with well-rounded care to ensure that their medical needs are taken care of.

 

Apart from multidisciplinary services for diabetes care at the Diabetes Clinic, we see a wide range of general and subspecialty endocrinological disorders, which are listed under our services list. 
Faculty

A/Prof Sum Chee Fang, Senior Consultant

Designation: Director, Diabetes Clinic, Senior Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (S'pore), FRCP (Irel), FRCP (Edin), FACE, FAMS (Endocrinology)

Dr Sum graduated from the National University of Singapore and trained in endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism at the Singapore General Hospital. He has a wide range of interests in several areas of diabetes and endocrinology. He has very heavy clinical commitments but firmly believes in forging interdisciplinary collaboration in the continued improvement of diabetes care.

 

Prof C Rajasoorya, Senior Consultant

Designation: Senior Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (S'pore), MMed (Int Med), FAMS (Endocrinology), FRCP (Lond), FRCP (Edin), FACE

Professor Rajasoorya is a Senior Consultant in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine. Besides Internal Medicine, his sub interests are in pituitary adrenal disorders as well as endocrine causes of hypertension. He was a Fellow in Endocrinology at the University of Auckland (New Zealand), as well as a Visiting Clinician at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester), University of Virginia and University of Oregon in the United States. He currently chairs the Specialty Training Committee in Endocrinology as well and the Transitional Year Residents Review Committee. His other special interests are in the teaching and training of doctors.

 

A/Prof Lim Su Chi, Senior Consultant

Designation: Senior Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (S'pore), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS (Endocrinology)

A/Prof Lim Su Chi is a Senior Consultant general physician cum endocrinologist at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. His other responsibilities and appointments include: Deputy Director of Diabetes Centre and Clinical Director of Clinical Research Unit at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. Dr. Lim sits on the Ministry of Health's Clinical Management Guidelines Development Committee for Diabetes Mellitus. His present research interests include in vivo endothelial function in diabetes mellitus, genetics of diabetic nephropathy and adipocytes biology in bariatric surgical interventions.

 

A/Prof Tavin S, Senior Consultant

Designation: Senior Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (S'pore), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS (Endocrinology)

A/Prof Tavintharan is a Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology. His specialty is Internal Medicine, and Endocrinology including managing patients with diabetes mellitus, hormone and lipid-related disorders. He is the consultant in-charge of the Lipid Optimisation Clinic, and endocrinologist in the Multi-Disciplinary Diabetes Foot Clinic. His other responsibilities include being the Associate Designated Institutional Official for Khoo Teck Puat Graduate Medical Education Programs and Deputy Director of Khoo Teck Puat Clinical Research Unit. A/Prof Tavintharan also plays an active role in education and training of medical colleagues and allied health professionals. His research interests include diabetic foot syndromes, and the study of novel biomarkers to predict and understand the pathogenesis of common metabolic disorders.

Dr Goh Kian Peng, Deputy Head of Department and Consultant

Designation: Deputy Head of Department, Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (S'pore), MRCP (UK), MMed (Family Med), MCFP (S'pore), FAMS (Endocrinology)

Dr Goh Kian Peng has served in a number of key positions as Consultant at the Department of Medicine, specialising in endocrinology and diabetes mellitus. He was the driver for the Diabetic Exercise Programme and Inpatient Diabetes Programme before accepting his current role as the Associate Programme Director for the NHG-AHPL Internal Medicine Residency Programme. Following his post-graduate training in both Endocrinology and Family Medicine, he was awarded the Human Manpower Development Programme Fellowship in 2007, during which he was attached to the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and also obtained a MSc in Molecular Exercise Physiology at the University of Aberdeen in UK. While holding teaching and administrative posts, he is also the Principal Investigator for several NMRC research grants. His main research interests are the roles and molecular adaptation of exercise in the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases.

 

Dr Rajmohan Lekshmi Narayanan, Consultant

Designation: Deputy Head of Department, Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (Kerala), MMed (Int Med)

Dr Rajmohan is an Associate Consultant who obtained his MBBS in India and the MMed(Internal Medicine) from NUS. He has completed advanced specialty training in Internal Medicine and as well as subspecialty training in Endocrinology. He has a special interest in Diabetes. 

Dr Tan Hwee Huan, Consultant

Designation: Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (S'pore), MRCP (UK), MMed, FAMS (Endocrinology)

Dr Tan is a part-time Consultant in Diabetes Centre. Her main contributions are in the clinical and educational aspects of diabetes care. 

 

Dr Jarrod Lee, Consultant

Designation: Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (S’pore), MRCP (UK), DFD (S’pore)

 

Dr Vivien Lim, Consultant

Designation: Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (S'pore), MRCP (UK), MMed (Int Med)

 

Dr Marilyn Lee, Associate Consultant

Designation: Associate Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (London), MRCP (UK)

Dr Lee graduated from St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry in the UK, and obtained her post graduate qualifications from the Royal College of Physicians (London). She is involved in general medicine as well as endocrinology work and her areas of interests include reproductive endocrinology and pituitary adrenal disorders.

Dr Phua Eng Joo, Associate Consultant

Designation: Associate Consultant
 
Credentials: MBBS (S'pore), MRCP (UK), MRCPS (Glasg)

Dr Phua Eng Joo graduated with MBBS from the National University of Singapore. He subsequently obtained his MRCP(UK) diploma from the Royal College of Physicians (United Kingdom) and is also a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG). He is a Registrar and Advanced Specialty Trainee in Endocrinology.



Advanced Specialty Trainees
Dr Niyati Jauhar, Registrar
Dr Ester Yeoh, Registrar
Dr Vikram Sonawane, Registrar

 

Resident Physicians
Dr Anthony Chao, Senior Resident Physician

 

 

We provide a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services for patients with endocrine disorders. Examples of our services include:

Diabetes
Patients with diabetes related disorders are seen at the Diabetes Centre which provides a comprehensive range of services.

Lipid Disorders
e.g. hypercholesterolemia, suspected familial causes of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia and usage of statins in patients with transaminitis.

Thyroid Disorders
e.g.  hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancers

Calcium and Bone Disorders
e.g. osteoporosis, hypercalcemia, hypocalcemia, suspected cases of osteomalacia and hyperparathyroidism

Pituitary Disorders
e.g. hypopituitarism, pituitary tumours such as incidentally discovered pituitary tumours, Cushing’s disease, acromegaly, prolactinomas, hyperprolactinemia

Adrenal Disorders
e.g. suspected primary aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, incidentally discovered adrenal tumours, hypocortisolism, Cushing’s syndrome

Female Reproductive Endocrinology
e.g. premature menopause, amenorrhoea,  thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy, hirsutism

Male Hormonal Disorders
e.g. hypogonadism, gynaecomastia

Endocrine Hypertension
e.g. hypertensive patients suspected of having a secondary endocrinological cause of hypertension

Water and Electrolyte Imbalance
e.g. hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia

Other general hormonal and metabolic disorders

The division has a strong culture of research and is well-supported by a team of research technicians, including post-doctoral fellows. Our endocrinologists and trainees are regular recipients of national grants and collaborate with other national centres and institutions. Research interests range from basic science research in genetics and cell signaling to principal investigator (PI) initiated clinical trials.

Funding Bodies
National Medical Research Council
National Kidney Foundation
Endocrine and Metabolic Society of Singapore

Key Publications

Diabetes

Tavintharan S, Chi LS, Fang SC, Arunmozhiarasi A, Jeyaseelan K. Riboregulators and metabolic disorders: getting closer towards understanding the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus? Curr Mol Med. 2009 Apr;9(3):281-6.

Stahl D, Sum CF, Lum SS, Liow PH, Chan YH, Verma S, Chua HC, Chong SA. Screening for depressive symptoms: validation of the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D) in a multiethnic group of patients with diabetes in Singapore. Diabetes Care. 2008 Jun;31(6):1118-9.

Lim SC, Lekshminarayanan R, Goh SK, Ong YY, Subramaniam T, Sum CF, Ong CN, Lee BL. The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Microcirculatory Endothelial Function of subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Atherosclerosis. 2008 Feb;196(2):966-9.

Lim SC, Morgenthaler NG, Subramaniam T, Wu YS, Goh SK, Sum CF. The relationship between Adrenomedullin, Metabolic Factors and Vascular Function in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2007 Jun;30(6):1513-9.

Lim VC, Sum CF, Chan ES, Yeoh LY, Lee YM, Lim SC. Lactate Levels in Asian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Metformin and its Association with Dose of Metformin and Renal Function. Int J Clin Pract. 2007 Nov; 61(11):1829-33

 

Diabetic Foot

Tavintharan S, Nang EEK, Lim SC, Wu Y, Khoo CM, Lee J, Heng D,  Chew SK, Wong TY, Tai ES. Distribution of ankle brachial index and the risk factors of peripheral artery disease in a multi-ethnic Asian population. Vascular Medicine 2011; in press

Lekshmi Narayanan RM, Koh WP, Phang J, Subramaniam T. Peripheral arterial disease in community-based patients with diabetes in Singapore: Results from a Primary Healthcare Study. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2010 Jul;39(7):525-7.

Tavintharan S, Ning Cheung, Su Chi Lim, Tay W, Shankar A, Shyong Tai E, Wong TY. Prevalence and risk factors for peripheral artery disease in an Asian population with diabetes mellitus. Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2009 Apr;6(2):80-6.

 

Diabetic Nephropathy

Lim SC, Liu JJ, Low HQ, Morgenthaler NG, Li Y, Yeoh LY, Wu YS, Goh SK, Chionh CY, Tan SH, Kon YC, Soon PC, Bee YM, Subramaniam T, Sum CF, Chia KS. Microarray analysis of multiple candidate genes and associated plasma proteins for nephropathy secondary to type 2 diabetes among Chinese individuals. Diabetologia 2009; 52: 1343 – 1351.

Lim SC, Koh AF, Goh SK, Chua CL, Heng BL, Subramaniam T, Sum CF. Angiotensin receptor antagonist vs. angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in Asian subjects with type2 diabetes and albuminuria - a randomized crossover study. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2007 Jul;9(4):477-82.

Lim SC, Goh SK, Lai YR, Tee WW, Koh A, Xu XH, Wu YS, Yap E, Subramaniam T, Sum CF. Relationship between common functional polymorphisms of the p22phox gene (-930A>G and +242C>T) and nephropathy as a result of Type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population. Diabet Med. 2006 Sep;23(9):1037-41.

 

Exercise Metabolism

Goh KP, Sum CF. Connecting the dots: molecular and epigenetic mechanisms in type 2 diabetes. Curr Diabetes Rev. 2010 Jul 1;6(4):255-65.

Goh KP, Chew K, Koh A, Guan M, Wong Y S, Sum CF (2009)  The relationship between ACE gene ID polymorphism and aerobic capacity in Asian rugby players.  Singapore Med J. 2009; 50(10): 997-1003.

 

Lipidology and Atherosclerosis

Tavintharan S, K Woon, LT Pek, X Dong, N Jauhar, Lim SC, Sum CF. Niacin results in reduced monocyte adhesion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Atherosclerosis (doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.12.020)

Tavintharan S, Lim SC, Sum CF. The effects of niacin on cell adhesion and early atherogenesis: biochemical and functional findings in endothelial cells. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2009 Mar;104(3):206-10.

Tavintharan S, Ong CN, Jeyaseelan K, Sivakumar M, Lim SC, Sum CF. Reduced mitochondrial coenzyme Q10 levels in HepG2 cells treated with high-dose simvastatin: a possible role in statin-induced hepatotoxicity? Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2007 Sep 1;223(2):173-9.  

Tavintharan S, Sivakumar M, Lim SC, Sum CF. Niacin affects cell adhesion molecules and plasminogen actiator inhibitor-1 in HepG2 cells. Clin Chim Acta. 2007 Feb;376(1-2):41-4.  

Tavintharan S, Lim SC, Chan YH, Sum CF. Apolipoprotein E genotype affects the response to lipid-lowering therapy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2007 Jan;9(1):81-6.

Ganji SH, Tavintharan S, Zhu D, Xing Y, Kamanna VS, Kashyap ML. Niacin non-competitively inhibits diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2) but not DGAT1 activity in HepG2 cells. J. Lipid Res.2004; 45: 1835–1845.

Moti L Kashyap, Tavintharan S, Kamanna VJ Optimal therapy of low levels of HDL Cholesterol Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 2003, 3(1): 53-64

 

Pituitary

Holdaway IM, Rajasoorya RC, Gamble GD. Factors influencing mortality in acromegaly. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Feb;89(2):667-74.

Holdaway IM, Rajasoorya CR, Gamble GD, Stewart AW. Long-term treatment outcome in acromegaly. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2003 Aug;13(4):185-92.

Holdaway IM, Rajasoorya C. Epidemiology of acromegaly. Pituitary. 1999 Jun;2(1):29-41.

Wrightson P, Rajasoorya C, Holdaway IM, Scott DJ. Acromegaly: factors affecting the long term outcome after surgical treatment. J Clin Neurosci. 1994 Jul;1(3):164-72.

Rajasoorya C, Holdaway IM, Wrightson P, Scott DJ, Ibbertson HK. Determinants of clinical outcome and survival in acromegaly. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1994 Jul;41(1):95-102.

 

Our unit places a strong emphasis on medical education and training. We regularly offer training posts for medical students, internal medicine residents, medical officers and advanced specialty trainees. Clinical teaching takes place in the clinics and wards, where our trainees are exposed to a wide spectrum of endocrine diseases. In addition, they are rotated through the various allied health services and education programmes in the Diabetes Centre to obtain a holistic appreciation of diabetes management.

Sample Weekly Schedule for Medical Officer Endocrinology Posting

Week

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thur

Fri

8-11am

Diabetes Clinic

 

Diabetes Clinic

 

Project Work

 

Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic

 

Departmental

Meeting (7.30–8.30am)

11am-1pm

Inpatient Diabetes Management & Blue Letter Consultations

Inpatient Diabetes Management & Blue Letter Consultations

Inpatient Diabetes Management & Blue Letter Consultations

Thyroid FNAC Clinic (Alternate Fridays)

 

1-2pm

Professorial Clinical Tutorials

 

 

 

Clinical Approaches Tutorials 

Data Interpretation Tutorials

2-4pm

Weeks 1, 3, 5

Carousal Clinic 

 

Weeks 2, 4

Diabetes Clinic

Diabetes Centre Staff Teaching

Endocrine Clinic 

Weeks 1, 3, 5

Diabetes Clinic

 

Weeks 2, 4

Diabetic Kidney Disease Clinic  

Dietitian/DNE/Podiatrist

4-5pm

Endocrine Journal Club


Teaching Curriculum for Advanced Specialty Trainees in Endocrinology
New Case Tutorial
Endocrine-Radiology Meeting
Journal Club
Topic Review and Case Discussion
Diabetes Centre Staff Teaching
Combined Renal-Endocrine Journal Club

Endocrine and Metabolic Society of Singapore

The Endocrine Society

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

European Society of Endocrinology

American Diabetes Association

International Diabetes Federation

Diabetes UK

American Thyroid Association

International Osteoporosis Foundation