Dr. Giuseppe Barbesino
Internal Medicine
Boston, MA
35 years experience male
About
Bio
I was born in Italy, 1963. Graduated from Catholic University of Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy, in 1988. Until 1993 I was Resident and Fellow In Endocrinolgy and Metabolism at The University of Pisa, Italy. In 1995-1998 I was fellow in Endocrinology at the Mount Sinai Medical School in New York, NY. In 1998-2001 I was assistant Professor in Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Italy. In 2001-2004 I completed my Residency in Internal Medicine at UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA to achieve board eligibility. Since 2004, I am Assistant Professor in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, MA
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Internal Medicine
Endocrinology
Licenses
United States: Massachusetts
Languages spoken
Italian
Doctor Q&A
54 Answers
9 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
GnRH hormones: While normally gnrh stimulates sex hormones, it achieves this only when it is secreted in bursts by the hypothalamus. When given in injections, it cir... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Not directly: Cortef (hydrocortisone) is similar to cortical adrenal hormones. The placenta is able to break down maternal cortical adrenal hormones, so that the fe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Helps the dryness: Estrogen cream is given to help menopausal women with vaginal dryness and other local effects of menopause while avoiding the whole body effects of an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
No: People have an "adrenal crisis" only when the adrenal is already very weakened or absent. The crisis can be dangerous, but will not affect the gland i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Yes: In a non diabetic person, suspected hypoglycemia needs to be confirmed with a fasting test. Because of the risks, the test has to done in a hospital, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 75-year-old male asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
No: Degarelix temporarily blocks the production of the pituitary hormone that regulates the secretion of testosterone in men (or estrogen in females). The... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
High metabolism: The body produces much more heat when hyperthyroid and this makes the person less tolerant of high temperatures.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
It is low.: The treatment is with oral vitamin D. Often a high dose (50,000 IU per week) is prescribed for 6-8 weeks to reconstitute the body stores, followed by ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
It can be many thing: Lumps in the neck can be caused by lymphatic glands or neck cysts. Masses low in the neck and close to the midline can be thyroid masses (goiter or th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Possibly thyroiditis: The information is incomplete, but subacute thyroiditis (sat), an inflammation of the thyroid gland can cause hyperthyroidism and high esr. People wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Ignore: Type I diabetes is more often inherited through the paternal lineage than through the maternal one.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Yes: With moderate doses of thyroid hormone, subclinical hypothyroidism can be easily corrected without significant risk.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Not used: A thyroid biopsy is a very simple procedure, performed with fine needles. It is very well tolerated if performed by a skilled professional. Only local... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Many things: Thyroid calcifications are relatively common. Some of them are an indication of thyroid cancer. The first thing to do is to get a neck ultrasound, whi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
This is how I do it: After local anesthesia is given (an injection just under the skin), a very fine needle is guided into the thyroid nodule through ultrasound visualizat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
It depends: It depends on when the hypothyroidism developed and on its severity. Mild hypothyroidism later in pregnancy is unlikely to cause problems. If the hypo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Maybe and no: A course of Progesterone (5-7 days) may cause menstruation in certain situations and it is actually a test to troubleshoot lack of menstruation. Howe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Maybe hyperthyroid?: Some people who are taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism may at times experience swings towards the opposite (hyperthyroidism). Some of these swing... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
None: If you have adrenal insufficiency you shouldl be taking glucocorticoids and often florinef (fludrocortisone). Food does not interfere much with these... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Adrenal hormones: Adrenal hormones of two types are usually used:
1) glucorticoids such as hydrocortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone: these regulate blood pressure, glu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Big difference!: Amenorrhea means lack of menstruation for six months or more. Anemia means a low count of hemoglobin, the protein that transports oxygen in the blood ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Sometimes: Cushing's disease can be cured by pituitary surgery: removing the small benign tumor causing the adrenal to overwork. However pituitary surgery is not... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Not sure: This is not a typical symptom of hyperthyroidism. However there are 2 theoretical explanations on my mind:
1) your hyperthyroidism may make the muscle... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Sialadenitis, maybe: You may have stones or inflammation in the salivary glands. I suggest you see a ear, nose and throat specialist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
It is probably ok: A slightly elevated TSH indicates mild thyroid failure. Early in pregnancy, even that can affect the fetal development, although changes are probably ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
It can happen: Most people with autoimmune thyroid disease have either hypo or hyperthyroidism. Many people with hyperthyroidism may end-up with hypo as a consequenc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Yes it may be: It depends on why you were taking it. If you have complete hypothyroidism from thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment, then you need to re-st... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Most often none: Most often the autoimmune process is not treated. We treat hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism as those are the important consequences of the process. T... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Hypothyroidism: If the whole thyroid gland is removed, then the person need to take thyroid hormone to replace the thyroid function. Thyroid hormone is effective and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Often none: With the most common inflammation of the thyroid (hashimoto's thyroiditis-ht) the inflammation is chronic and bland, so there are no direct symptoms.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Yes: Women losing weight significantly and rapidly can loose their periods and develop amenorrhea. Amenorrhea is a well recognized consequence of anorexia.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Addison's test: The best test for addison's disease (ad) is the acth stimulation test. After a blood test for cortisol, an injection of acth is given and the cortisol... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Addison's: In addison's, the adrenal gland is destroyed by your immune system. It is an autoimmune disease. Without the adrenal gland, critical hormones such as... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Years: The word goiter indicates an enlarged thyroid. Many processes can cause this, but most commonly dietary iodine deficiency or other factors lead to the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Get evaluated: Amenorrhea is not normal, can cause osteoporosis and affect your well being, besides afecting fertility.. First, a pregnancy test should be done and t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Maybe radioiodine?: A low TSH after thyroidectomy for graves' may indicate (if pt is not taking thyroid hormone) that residual thyroid tissue is present and that hyperth... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Yes hypothyroidism: These test results indicate hypothyroidism. depending on the clinical setting, this can be corrected with thyroid hormone replacement. however, since ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Can become hyper: If your thyroid levels are right on 0.1 mg, then 0.2 mg will be definitely too much. It can make you slightly thyrotoxic. This can cause a racing hear... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Several: Possible causes for high prolactin with no tumor:
a) medications such as antidepressants
b) hypothyroidism
c) severe stress (if the increase is mil... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
She must see her doc: Uterine bleeding after menopause needs to be evaluated carefully by primary care doctor and gynecologist, as it may be a sign of uterine cancer. Of co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Slightly abnormal: This is slightly abnormal, but not dangerous: "subclinical hypothyroidism". The issue is controversial, but people who feel well may not need treatmen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 56-year-old male asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Would not stop.: Holding the thyroxine (i assume that is the med) for a few days will lower your levels a little bit and that may well be why you feel better. If you s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Consider HRT: Complete lack of female hormones at age 32, can cause serious osteoprosis. Estrogen-progestin therapy is now limited to select cases for women who hav... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Multiple but uncommon: One in ten patient on antithyroid drugs can have rashes, joint pains, bad taste in their mouth. More rarely, patients may have a reversible drop in th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
Not really: Adrenal fatigue is not a recognized condition. There are no validated criteria to diagnose it, nor proven treatments. Adrenal insufficiency is a rare ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
It is variable: The way hypothyroid persons feels is quite variable. Some feel very tired with small degrees of hypothyroidism, but I have seen people who were deeply... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
It depends on levels: Many people with mild hypothyroidism don't feel any different. Occasionally, even people with severe hypo feel normal. Severe hypo can lead to heart d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
He may a biopsy: Some thyroid nodules with true microcalcifications are thyroid cancers. When nodules with microcalcifications are seen, the doctor may advise to have ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
No: Diabetes is diagnosed with a blood test, either a blood glucose or a hemoglobin A1c level. While people with diabetes may have many symptoms in their ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Giuseppe Barbesinoanswered
Internal Medicine 35 years experience
With a fasting test: The child needs to be watched while fasting, with tests for Insulin done if the blood sugar drops. This is usually done in the hospital, for sweaty r... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
224
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Barbesino is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Barbesino is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Barbesino is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I have had this procedure done twice. And both times found it painful.
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! I got infectious colitis a month ago, may be related....interesting.
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I am using thyroxine sodium approx 175 mcg since 2007. now facing AVN
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Faculty of Medicine, Italy
Graduated 1988MD
Affiliations
Endocrine Society
American Thyroid Association
Publications
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