Comprehensive Endocrinology Clinic Services

At LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, our expertise covers the full spectrum of hormonal and metabolic health. Dr. Cho Li Wei treats a diverse range of conditions that affect the endocrine system, which is responsible for regulating everything from your energy levels to your mood and reproductive health. Our primary areas of focus include the comprehensive management of all types of diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational), thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and bone health concerns like osteoporosis.

Beyond these common issues, we provide specialised care for complex hormonal imbalances including Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), obesity-related metabolic concerns, and hypogonadism in both men and women. We also manage endocrine hypertension (high blood pressure caused by hormonal issues) and electrolyte imbalances. By choosing our endocrinology clinic services in Singapore, you are accessing a holistic approach that doesn’t just treat symptoms but looks deep into the hormonal root causes of your health concerns to restore balance and long-term well-being.

Yes, we do. While diabetes and thyroid issues are the most frequent reasons patients visit us, Dr. Cho is highly experienced in managing rarer and more complex conditions involving the master glands: the pituitary and the adrenal glands. The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, governs many other glands, and we treat disorders such as pituitary tumors (adenomas), prolactinomas, Sheehan’s syndrome, and diabetes insipidus.

Similarly, for the adrenal glands which sit atop the kidneys, we manage conditions like adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease), adrenal nodules, and Conn’s or Cushing’s syndrome, which can significantly impact your stress response and blood pressure.

These conditions often require very precise diagnostic testing and highly personalised medication regimes. We use evidence-based protocols to monitor these delicate glands, ensuring that your hormone replacement or suppression therapy is perfectly calibrated to your body’s unique needs.

Rather than separate clinics, we offer dedicated sub-specialty focus areas within our practice to ensure that patients with specific needs receive the most concentrated expertise. Dr. Cho has a particular sub-specialty interest in Reproductive Endocrinology, specifically the management of PCOS and premature ovarian failure. We understand that these conditions are not just about fertility but affect a woman’s entire metabolic health, from insulin resistance to heart health.

We also have focused programmes for Diabetes Management and Obesity/Weight Management. These focused service tracks allow us to provide more than just a standard consultation; they involve deep dives into lifestyle, nutrition, and the latest medical technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring or the newest weight-loss medications. By categorising our services this way, we ensure that whether you are coming in for a complex bone disorder or a pregnancy-related thyroid issue, you are receiving care that is tailored to that specific field of endocrine medicine.

Whether or not you need to fast depends entirely on the tests Dr. Cho might order during your visit.

For many of our core services, such as a full metabolic assessment or a diabetes screening, we usually require you to fast (no food or drinks except plain water) for at least 8 to 10 hours. This is particularly important for measuring Fasting Blood Glucose and your lipid profile (cholesterol levels), as even a small meal can significantly alter these results and lead to an inaccurate diagnosis.

If your appointment is specifically for a thyroid review, fasting is generally not required unless other tests are being done simultaneously. However, as a general rule for new patients or those coming for a comprehensive check-up, it is often best to come in a fasted state if your appointment is in the morning. This allows us to perform any necessary blood draws immediately, saving you a second trip to the clinic. If you are unsure, our clinic staff will be happy to advise you on the specific requirements when you book your slot.

As a private medical practice, LW Cho Endocrine Clinic does not strictly require a referral from a Polyclinic or a General Practitioner for you to book an appointment with our endocrine specialist in Singapore. We welcome self-referrals from patients who feel they may have a hormonal issue or who want a second opinion on an existing diagnosis. Many of our patients choose to see us directly to enjoy shorter waiting times and more personalised, consistent care with the same consultant.  However, some insurance needs you to have a referral from GP to allow the visit to be claimed.  Please check with the clinic staff if you are hoping to use your corporate insurance.

Your first visit to LW Cho Endocrine Clinic is designed to be a thorough and unhurried process. Dr. Cho believes that a successful treatment plan starts with a deep understanding of the patient. During the initial consultation, she will conduct a detailed review of your medical history, your current symptoms, and any family history of endocrine issues. This is followed by a targeted physical examination where she may check your blood pressure, heart rate, and look for physical signs of hormonal imbalances, such as thyroid swelling or skin changes.

After the examination, Dr. Cho will discuss her initial clinical impressions with you and outline the necessary diagnostic tests. We prioritise clarity, so she will explain why each test is being ordered and how it helps narrow down the diagnosis. Depending on your symptoms, we might arrange for blood tests or imaging (like an ultrasound) on the same day. The goal of this first session is to ensure you feel heard, understood, and leave with a clear roadmap of the next steps in your health journey.

Endocrine health is rarely a standalone issue. It is deeply connected to your nutrition, physical activity, and overall lifestyle. At LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, we take a multidisciplinary approach to care. For conditions like diabetes, obesity, and PCOS, we frequently collaborate with experienced dietitians to create personalised nutrition plans that complement Dr. Cho’s medical treatments. We believe that empowering you with the right dietary tools is just as important as prescribing the right medication.

Furthermore, because hormonal issues can affect other parts of the body, we maintain a strong network of trusted specialists, including gynecologists for fertility-related PCOS cases, surgeons for thyroid or adrenal nodules, and ophthalmologists for diabetic eye screenings. This collaborative spirit ensures that your care is seamless and that every aspect of your health is being looked after by an expert. We act as the hormonal hub of your care, coordinating with these other professionals to ensure all your treatments are aligned.

Hormones are powerful messengers that circulate in very small amounts, so specialised blood tests are the most common way we listen to what your endocrine system is saying. A standard assessment might include a Thyroid Function Test (checking TSH, T4, and T3 levels) or an HbA1c test to see your average blood sugar levels over the past three months. If we are investigating fatigue or weight changes, we may also check your cortisol levels, Vitamin D, and iron stores.

For reproductive concerns like PCOS or low testosterone, we look at dynamic hormones like LH, FSH, estrogen, and testosterone. In cases of suspected adrenal or pituitary issues, we may need more specialised stimulation or suppression tests, where we give a small dose of a hormone and see how your body reacts over a few hours. Because hormone levels can fluctuate throughout the day or during a menstrual cycle, Dr. Cho will precisely time these tests to ensure we get the most accurate data possible.

For most routine blood tests, such as thyroid panels, HbA1c, or general health screenings, the results are typically available within 2 to 3 working days. More complex hormonal assays, like certain adrenal or pituitary tests that require specialised laboratory processing, may take between 5 to 7 working days to be fully completed and reviewed.

Once all your results are in, Dr. Cho will review them personally. For straightforward results, our clinic team may contact you to share the good news or confirm the next steps. However, if the results are complex or require a change in your medication, we will usually schedule a follow-up consultation. This allows Dr. Cho to go through the findings with you in detail, show you the trends in your data, and adjust your personalised management plan accordingly, ensuring you are never left in the dark about your health.

If you have been receiving care at a public hospital (like SGH, NUH, or CGH) and wish to transition to LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, the process is quite simple. The most efficient way is to log into the HealthHub app or website using your Singpass. From there, you can download your recent laboratory test results, radiology reports, and medication lists as PDF files. Bringing these to your first appointment with us prevents unnecessary repeat testing and gives Dr. Cho an immediate baseline of your condition.

If you require your full medical history or a detailed doctor’s memo, you can request a Medical Report or Duplicate Records through the public hospital’s Medical Records Office (MRO). Please note that hospitals usually charge a fee for this, and it can take a few weeks to process. However, for most patients, having your most recent blood test results and a list of your current medications is more than enough to get started. We will help you navigate this transition to ensure that your care remains continuous and your medical history is seamlessly integrated into our system.