Your Endocrine System at a Glance
Learn more about the endocrine system from surgeon Dr. Ian Behr – including how these areas regulate, symptoms of dysfunction, types of surgery, and other forms of treatment.
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Dr. Ian Behr is a general surgeon specializing in endocrine surgery. He is experienced in performing appropriate surgical and non-surgical procedures for disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands.
As a fellowship trained endocrine surgeon, Dr. Behr treats all aspects of endocrine disease which require an operation. He performs all standard open surgeries as well as minimally invasive approaches. Additionally, he is trained in non-surgical treatments such as radio-frequency ablation and performs ultrasound exams and ultrasound guided biopsies.
CERTIFICATIONS
- Board Certified American Board of Surgery
- DaVinci Preparation and Systems Training Certification
- DaVinci Live OR Training Certification
Meet Dr. Ian Behr
Education
Harvard Head and Neck Endocrine Fellowship
2020-2021
- Fellowship Director Greg Randolph MD, FACS, FACE
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Massachusetts General Hospital
Michigan State University General Surgery Integrated Residency
2014 - 2020
- Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI & McLaren Hospital, Flint, MI
Wayne State University School of Medicine
2010 - 2014
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Michigan State University
2007 - 2009
- Masters in Physiology
Kalamazoo College
2003 - 2007
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Biology (B.A.)
- International Institute of French Studies
- Certificate in the Practice of French Language
How Does the Endocrine System Work?
Thyroid Function
The thyroid is a butterfly shaped organ that lies over the airway in your neck, covered on its sides by neck muscles. It is responsible for making thyroid hormone, a regulator of many functions in the body such as metabolism, intestinal motility, temperature regulation, and many other actions. An average thyroid is the size of a silver dollar on each half (the butterfly wings) and soft to the touch.
Diseases of the thyroid entail over or underproduction of thyroid hormone, auto-immune diseases/inflammation of the thyroid, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. To learn more about thyroid disorders and treatment, Click Here.
Parathyroid Function
The parathyroid glands are pea sized organs that typically lie behind the thyroid gland in the neck. Most individuals have 4 glands, 2 on each side of their neck. The parathyroids are responsible for regulating calcium levels through their production of parathyroid hormone. This hormone causes calcium to be absorbed into the body both through the intestine, but also from our bones and kidneys.
People with overactive parathyroid glands are at risk of kidney stones, osteoporosis, fatigue, constipation, muscle aches, brain fog, and many other symptoms. To learn more about parathyroid disorders and treatment, Click Here.
Adrenal Gland Function
The adrenal glands are walnut sized organs that sit on top of our kidneys in our abdomen. They make multiple types of hormones that regulate our body; these hormones include cortisol, epinephrine, and aldosterone among others.
Tumors of the adrenal glands need to be watched for growth as well as for function, ensuring that they are not overproducing hormones or develop into cancer. Treatment of tumors of the adrenal glands is through either minimally invasive, or open surgery. To learn more about parathyroid disorders and treatment, Click Here.
Approaches to Treatment
There are multiple ways to approach thyroid surgery, as every patient’s situation is unique. With so many advances in medical technology, more is possible today than ever before. Here are just a few of the modern methods Dr. Behr is certified to perform:
Nerve Monitoring
Nerve monitoring uses a special breathing tube placed while you are asleep and getting anesthesia. This tube has electrodes across it that sense your vocal cords. A nerve stimulating probe, similar to a Q-Tip is then touched lightly against tissue during surgery to identify the nerve traveling to your vocal cords behind the thyroid, protecting and ensuring function of this nerve. Not all endocrine surgeons can perform nerve monitoring, but Dr. Behr is proficient in this process.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation is a technology to introduce heat into cells thereby killing them without injuring the surrounding area. This is a non-surgical option to treat thyroid nodules. Using an ultrasound machine, a small needle is introduced into a thyroid nodule and heat is targeted into just this area. The procedure takes 20 minutes and there is no anesthesia needed, only local numbing medication. Patients can return to activities without restrictions as early as the next day. It can take up to 9 months for a nodule to fully change in size, but decreases in size of up to 90% can often be seen.
Auto Fluorescence Imaging
Auto fluorescence imaging can be used during surgery to identify the parathyroid glands. The size of a pea, parathyroid glands can often be difficult to find in the complex anatomy of the neck. Research has shown that parathyroid glands fluoresce when targeted with near infra red light. Using a specialized camera, parathyroid glands can be visualized and protected. This reduces operative time, costs, and most importantly, reduces the risk of injuring these glands.
Would you like to learn more about options available for your treatment?
Would you like to schedule an appointment
or receive a referral from your doctor?
Dr. Behr would be happy to meet with you in person or virtually to discuss how to best improve your health!
Call (815) 229-7580 today to schedule a consultation.
Quality Care for the Quickest Recovery
Dr. Ian Behr is passionate about providing quality care before, during, and after surgery. He is proud to be a part of his family’s legacy in healthcare, alongside his father Dr. Jeffrey Behr and great-uncle Dr. Samuel Behr (both orthopedic surgeons) as well as his mother Diana Behr, an RN.
Watch this video to learn more: