Dr. Liuska Pesce
Pediatric Endocrinology
Iowa City, IA
25 years experience female
Locations
Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Iowa Children's Hospital
Iowa City, IA
Office
Iowa City, IA
About
Bio
Completed Medical school in Universidad Central de Venezuela, Luis Razetti school of Medicine, class of 1998. Postdoctoral research fellowship at Northwestern university, Chicago, IL, pediatric residency at University of Illinois in Chicago and fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Children' Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University in Chicago. Currently at Iowa City, IA as clinical assistant professor in pediatric endocrinology, University of Iowa Children's Hospital.
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.
Pediatric Endocrinology
Languages spoken
Italian
Doctor Q&A
94 Answers
23 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Adrenal crisis: Addison' s disease is an autoimmune condition affecting the adrenal gland. This causes lack of cortisol and aldosterone secretion. Addisonian crisis r... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Degree of puberty: Usually men stop growing one to two years after growth spurt, when thety are late in puberty. Slow growth or lack of growth in a male who has full adu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Depression?: You need to see a psychiatrist to make sure you are not depressed. Talking with your doctor may also help you find an answer. Do not wait.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Over-active thryoid: Hyper means overactive. Hypo means underactive. Whe we, doctors say hyperthyroidism, we mean the thyroid galnd is putting out too much thyroid hormone... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Thyroid levels?: An enlarged thyroid on exam is subjective. The us is better at asessing thyroid size and volume and to rule out other problems which sometimes can be ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Depends : If you have severe hypothyroidism it could explain the weight gain. Mild elevations in TSH level with normal free T4 are unlikely to be the cause of t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 63-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Normal TSH?: If the TSH is normal and you have a primary thyroid problem, there is no reason to increase thyroid hormone replacement. Excessive thyroid hormone can... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Most likely no: Soy does not affect the function of the thyroid gland based on current knowledge and research studies. However, it can affect the absorption of thyroi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Depends: Thyroglobulin is the protein used to make thyroid hormone. It is a normal component of the thyroid and, in someone healthy, checking thyroglobulin lev... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Labs: By measuring tsh, T4 and T3 (liothyronine) in your blood.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Possibly: Ketosis and ketoacidosis are different things. If your body senses it is not getting enough carbohydrates, it will start using fat to feed some tissue... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Possible: Thyroid hormones are important in the regulation of several other hormones and also affect the hair life of the hair follicle. So, yes, it could be th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Most likely: My understanding is that the procedure involves releasing the tissue causing the problem, it should not affect the penis ability to respond to testost... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Exam and US?: Have you had a genital exam, pelvic us and laboratory evaluation before the treatment started? Vaginal bleeding/ spotting can be caused by different p... 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. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Complex answer: Some potential genes and proteins are being studied, but there is no single answer on what triggers puberty. Puberty is different in boys and girls. F... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Research is ongoing: Genes in the body can make a person more susceptibe to getting these type of conditions. It is thought that predisposed people then get primed after a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Genetics and weight: Most girls have their first period at a age similar the their mothers. Overweight females tend to have an earlier onset of puberty. In most girls havi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
No cure: There is no treatment to stop or cure hashimoto's thyroiditis, but fortunately, we can replace the thyroid hormone if patients become hypothyroid. Clo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Depends : Thyroid hormone replacement depends on age and weight. Children tend to need higher dose for weight as compared to adults. It also depends on the etio... 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. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
It is autoimmune: Graves disease is thought to occur due to a combination of factors. It is not well establlished, but the hypothesis are that some people have some gen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Bone age?: I would ask your endocrinologist. Consider a bone age, discussing diagnosis prior to gh treatment and making sure growth factor levels are in therapeu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Rare: Thyroid tissue outside the neck is rare, but if supected needs to be evaluated. Agree with your doctor. This is usually called thyroid struma and alth... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Yes: Yes, he needs to be evaluated, could be viral but respiratory effort needs to be assessed an other etiologies need be ruled out.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Insulin: Type 1 diabetic patients need Insulin in order to be able to utilize glucose and stay healthy, they also need to learn how to count carbohydrates, che... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Different causes: May be a problem with the gland that regulates the ovaries or/and testicles: the pituitary gland, or a problem with the ovaries/ testicles. Radiation,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Boy or girl?: Girls have their growth spurt early in puberty, when they start having breast development. Boys have their growth spurt late in puberty, when their te... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Not if treated: If you receive the adequate hormonal replacement you should be able to have a normal quality of life.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
No: Do not recommend. May refer to the american thyroid association for more information.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
See a doctor: It is unusual for people to be able to tell they hit their thyroid. Several vital structures are close to the thyroid gland. If you feel better and ha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Thyroid levels?: There is no treatment for elevated tpo level. Some people have positive tpo and normal thyroid hormone levels. If worried about developing thyroid pro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Not sure: There are different types of pituitary tumors, some are treated with medications and respond well to treatment. Others need surgery or other treatment... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Needs to clarify: Thyroid gland 'bumps'? - make sure is not thyroid gland nodules. She may need a thyroid/neck us which is better to asess the thyroid gland. Depending ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Needs assessment: Most vaginal discharge is clear or white. Hard to answer question without examining discharge, best to see primary doctor for assessment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Pain is unusual: Although smaller testicles could be consistent with hypogonadism, other etiologies need to be excluded. If having testicular pain seek medical evaluat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Contamination?: I think your doctor may be worried about breast milk getting contaminated with silicone. I am not an expert on this matter but would discuss with your... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
No: There are no diet pills to treat overactive thyroid. Usually, when the thyroid is overactive, an anti-thyroid medication is used to slow down thyroid ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
See a doctor: You may need to see your doctor, have your blood pressure checked and possibly some laboratory tests.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Depends: If you are having normal, regular menstual cycles and had a normal timing of puberty most likely breasts will remain close to the size you have. They ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Various: Most common causes of thyroid diseases are autoimmune, the immune system, recognizes the thyroid as foreign to the body, in the process, the thyroid ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
More evaluation: You may need more evaluation, what was your cortisol level? Did they obtain an acth level? Other labs? It is true it could be something else, but cort... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Yes: Autoimmune thyroid disease is complex. Patients with family history of thyroid diseases can make blocking or stimulating proteins against the TSH rece... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Depends: The symptoms depend on the length of the disease and on how low are the hormone levels. Usually, untreated, this condition is severe and can cause low... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Uncommon at this age: She may need to be seen. Most likely she has benign premature adrenarche - early awakening of her adrenals. She will benefit from being examined and h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
See a doctor: Symptoms can occur with several diagnosis. History, physical examination and some labs can help. Consider ruling out cortisol deficiency and gastroint... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Causes: Autoimmune. Either the immune system makes a protein that stimulates the thyroid to be "on" all the time (graves disease) or the immune system is dest... 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. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Diet and exercise: A healthy diet and exercise and taking your thyroid hormone replacement as recommended by your doctor. Normal thyroid hormone levels will help you to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Seek help: You may have depression. See your doctor to make sure there is nothing else affecting your mood, like hypothyroidism, but if you have thoughts of harm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Most likely: Radioactive iodine treatment can affect the salivary glands and reduce the production of saliva. This is usually transient, but may take long time, de... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Depends on levels: Dhea is the most abundant adrenal hormone. It's sulfated form is more stable. Labs are not perfect and i wonder why the level was checked in the first... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liuska Pesceanswered
25 years experience
Depends: Depends on the drug.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k 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
212
Thank you notes
Apr 7, 2013
Great responses!
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Pesce is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Pesce is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you doctor I really needed to know what was thyroglobulin but now I know I'll try to ask more questions thanks again I liked the answe
HealthTap member
Thanks. I will keep trying. The treating psych is unwilling to give a referral to an endocrinologist or to test so waiting until voluntary
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I am just wondering if there are any diet pills I can take as well as the thyroid medication.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Luis razetti univ central de venezuela, ciudad univ
Graduated 1998MD
Awards
Top Doctor, First Place, Iowa City, IA - Winter
2013
Most Influential, First Place, Iowa City, IA - Winter
2013
Thought Leader, First Place, Iowa City, IA - Winter
2013
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