Dr.Richard
Guttler, a thyroid cancer physician specialist, and thyroid
ultrasonographer, is the director of the Santa Monica Thyroid Center
since 1974. Dr. Guttler is the sole owner of the Endocrine Neck
Laboratory of Southern California. This is an extension of the thyroid
center, offering endocrine neck studies for endocrinologists and
others interested in high quality thyroid studies performed personally
by Dr.Guttler. He is a clinical thyroidologist, board certified
in Endocrinology. Founder, secretary, and past president of The
Academy of Clinical Thyroidologists. He personally treats thyroid
cancer.
At the center. Dr.Richard Guttler uses the ultrasound
to diagnose cancer by guiding the needle into selected areas of
the suspicious nodule. This is called Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy.
He is a thyroid cytopathologist, member of the American Society
of Cytopathology, and prepares and reads his own biopsy slides.
Also, he uses ultrasound guided ethanol injections, PEI, to treat
thyroid nodules that are cystic, eliminating the need for surgery.
PEI is also used to kill cancer lymph nodes in patients, when surgery
is a risky option.
Dr. Guttler can help the surgeon locate abnormal
nodes in previously operated neck to decrease the risk of complications,
by placing a small amount of methylene blue dye on the node one
hour before the surgery.
The center uses radiation sparingly, but when it
is needed the center can give 150 Millicuries as an outpatient to
medium and high risk patients. Low risk cancer patients will not
be given radioiodine, as it is not helpful and can cause cancer
years later. The nuclear medicine section can treat Graves’
disease, toxic nodular goiters, nontoxic goiters, as well as thyroid
cancer.
Hypothyroidism is usually due to Hashimoto’s
chronic thyroiditis. Thyroid hormone therapy is needed, to keep
the TSH normal, because high TSH is a risk factor for nodules, and
cancer in thyroiditis. Finally, low dose radioiodine is an alternative
to surgery, for treating large non-toxic goiters, especially in
elderly.
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For physicians wanting to become top-level thyroidologists, you can now train with Dr. Guttler in a 3 or 5 day course for those serious about starting a Clinical Thyroidology practice. Details of what this course covers are presented here.
Dr. Guttler also offers a 3-day course covering the current best practices for thyoid diagnosis and treatment. You can read more about this course here.
When your health depends on it, you want the
best. If you are interested in becoming a patient, getting a second
opinion, or making a referral, please contact us.
Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center
Dr. Richard B. Guttler, Director
1328 16th Street • Santa Monica CA 90404
Phone: (310) 393 8860 • Fax: (310) 395 8147
Outside California: (800) 408 4909
E-Mail: Dr.Guttler@thyroid.com
