Description
About Dr. Behruz Rahimi
Dr. Behruz Rahimi, a Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus), provides expert care for adult patients, and may also see older adolescents for certain endocrine conditions. With a practice based at an endocrinology clinic within a hospital or medical centre in Calgary, AB, he is a key member of the local medical community dedicated to hormone and metabolism care. He adheres to the standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA), ensuring high-quality, ethical, and patient-centered medical practice. His practice primarily centers on the comprehensive management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and lipid disorders, utilizing advanced diagnostic tools and personalized treatment strategies to optimize health outcomes.
Graduating with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Saskatchewan (Canada), Dr. Rahimi has completed extensive post-graduate training and holds the necessary certifications to practice as an Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism) in Alberta. His postgraduate education includes specialized training in hormonal and metabolic disorders, equipping him with the expertise needed for complex endocrine diagnosis and management.
Dr. Rahimi’s clinical philosophy emphasizes evidence-based hormonal and metabolic care, patient education on managing chronic conditions, early and accurate diagnosis, and the development of personalized treatment plans focused on long-term well-being. He is committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to his patients in Calgary. In addition to English, he speaks Persian (Farsi), which helps him serve a diverse patient population with culturally sensitive communication.
Common Conditions Dr. Behruz Rahimi Addresses
Dr. Behruz Rahimi diagnoses and treats a wide range of hormonal and metabolic disorders, including:
Diabetes & Related Metabolic Disorders
- Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides, Low HDL): Abnormal levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, including elevated LDL ('bad') cholesterol, high triglycerides, or low HDL ('good') cholesterol, significantly increasing cardiovascular disease risk.
- Diabetes Complications (Neuropathy, Nephropathy, Retinopathy - endocrine management aspects): Management focused on glycemic, blood pressure, and lipid control to prevent or slow the progression of nerve damage, kidney disease, and eye damage associated with diabetes.
Pituitary, Adrenal & Gonadal Axis Disorders
- Adrenal Nodules (Incidentalomas) & Adrenal Tumors (e.g., Pheochromocytoma, Aldosteronoma): Masses found on the adrenal glands, often discovered incidentally. Evaluation is needed to determine if they are hormonally active or potentially malignant.
- Adrenal Insufficiency (e.g., Addison's Disease, Secondary/Tertiary Adrenal Insufficiency): Condition where the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient amounts of steroid hormones, primarily cortisol and sometimes aldosterone, leading to a range of symptoms and potentially life-threatening adrenal crisis.
- Female Hypogonadism & Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): Conditions involving low estrogen levels in women, leading to symptoms like amenorrhea, infertility, and menopausal symptoms, occurring before the typical age of menopause in POI.
Thyroid & Parathyroid Gland Disorders
- Thyroid Nodules & Multinodular Goiter: Solid or fluid-filled lumps (nodules) that form within the thyroid gland, or an enlarged thyroid gland with multiple nodules. Most are benign but require evaluation for cancer risk.
- Hyperthyroidism & Thyrotoxicosis (Overactive Thyroid - e.g., Graves' Disease, Toxic Adenoma, Toxic Multinodular Goiter): Condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, causing symptoms such as weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, and heat intolerance.
- Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A disorder where one or more parathyroid glands become overactive, producing too much parathyroid hormone (PTH), leading to high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia) and potential bone and kidney problems.
This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific endocrine condition, please consult with Dr. Behruz Rahimi.
Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) Services Offered by Dr. Behruz Rahimi
- Transitional Care for Young Adults with Chronic Endocrine Conditions: Facilitating the smooth transition of adolescents and young adults with lifelong endocrine disorders (e.g., Type 1 diabetes, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypopituitarism) from pediatric to adult endocrine care services.
- Genetic Counseling Coordination & Testing for Hereditary Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes & Familial Disorders: Risk assessment and coordination of genetic testing and counseling for individuals and families with suspected hereditary endocrine tumor syndromes (e.g., Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia - MEN1, MEN2; Von Hippel-Lindau), familial thyroid cancer, or other inherited endocrine conditions.
- Expert Second Opinion Consultations for Complex or Rare Endocrine Disorders: Providing specialized second opinions on challenging endocrine diagnoses, interpretation of ambiguous hormone test results, or evaluation of complex or multi-faceted treatment plans.
- Interpretation of Complex Hormonal Assays, Dynamic Endocrine Function Tests & Genetic Markers: Expert analysis and clinical correlation of specialized blood, urine, and saliva tests measuring various hormone levels. Includes interpretation of dynamic stimulation and suppression tests (e.g., ACTH stimulation, dexamethasone suppression, oral glucose tolerance test for acromegaly) to precisely evaluate endocrine gland function and identify genetic predispositions.
- Comprehensive Endocrine System Consultation & Hormonal Health Evaluation: In-depth clinical assessment of potential hormonal imbalances and disorders affecting the endocrine glands (e.g., thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, pancreas, parathyroid, gonads). Includes detailed medical history, family history review, targeted physical examination, analysis of symptoms, and formulation of a personalized diagnostic and management plan.
- Inpatient & Outpatient Management of Endocrine Emergencies & Crises: Acute diagnosis and management of potentially life-threatening hormonal imbalances such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS), thyroid storm, myxedema coma, adrenal crisis, severe hypoglycemia, and acute hyper/hypocalcemia, typically initiated in an emergency or hospital setting with ongoing outpatient follow-up.
Note: This list provides a general overview. Specific tests and treatments are determined after a thorough evaluation. Discuss with Dr. Rahimi for care relevant to your specific condition.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and relevant endocrinological care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.
Practice Location & Accessibility
Dr. Behruz Rahimi practices at an endocrinology clinic or hospital department situated within Calgary's NE neighborhoods, including Falconridge, Coral Springs, and Castleridge. The facility is conveniently located near various restaurants and shops, making it accessible for patients from the surrounding community. Public transit options such as Calgary Transit (CTrain LRT, Bus, BRT) are readily available, ensuring easy access to the clinic. The location is wheelchair accessible, providing barrier-free entry for patients with mobility needs. Metered street parking and nearby parking lots are available for those arriving by private vehicle, offering convenient options for parking during appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are consultations, hormone tests, and treatments with Dr. Rahimi, an Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus), covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?
- Medically necessary consultations with a licensed Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) like Dr. Rahimi, most standard diagnostic hormone blood tests, dynamic endocrine function tests when indicated, and treatments for provincially insured endocrine conditions (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal insufficiency, osteoporosis management as per guidelines) are generally covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB when a referral from a family doctor or another specialist is in place. Some newer or specialized medications (e.g., certain advanced diabetes drugs, some growth hormone therapies, specific osteoporosis agents), medical devices (like some insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors and their supplies), or treatments considered primarily for lifestyle or cosmetic reasons may have different coverage criteria or require special authorization. It's crucial to discuss coverage specifics for any proposed investigation or treatment with Dr. Rahimi's office, the hospital/clinic, or Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) directly.
- Is a referral required to see Dr. Rahimi, an Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus)?
- Yes, for services covered by the provincial health plan, a referral from your family physician or another specialist (e.g., an internist, pediatrician, or gynecologist) is almost always required to schedule an appointment with an Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) such as Dr. Rahimi. Endocrine system disorders often involve complex interactions and can have wide-ranging effects, so an initial assessment by your primary care provider helps determine if specialist care is needed and ensures that relevant preliminary tests and medical history are available to the endocrinologist. This facilitates a more focused and efficient consultation.
- What types of diagnostic tests are commonly used by an Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) like Dr. Rahimi?
- An Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) like Dr. Rahimi utilizes a variety of tests to diagnose endocrine disorders. Blood tests are fundamental for measuring levels of specific hormones (e.g., TSH, free T4, cortisol, ACTH, testosterone, estrogen, LH, FSH, insulin, HbA1c, prolactin, PTH, calcium, vitamin D). He often orders dynamic endocrine function tests, where hormone levels are measured after administering a stimulating or suppressing agent (e.g., ACTH stimulation test for adrenal function, oral glucose tolerance test for diabetes/acromegaly, dexamethasone suppression test for Cushing's). Imaging studies like thyroid ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs of the pituitary or adrenal glands are common. Bone mineral density (DXA) scans assess for osteoporosis. For thyroid nodules, a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy might be performed or arranged.
- How does Dr. Rahimi typically approach managing diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)?
- Dr. Rahimi's approach to diabetes management is comprehensive and individualized. For Type 1 diabetes, the focus is on intensive insulin therapy (using multiple daily injections or an insulin pump), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), carbohydrate counting, and education on managing blood sugar fluctuations and preventing hypoglycemia. For Type 2 diabetes, management often starts with lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, weight loss), followed by oral medications if needed. Newer injectable medications (like GLP-1 receptor agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors) or insulin may be added as the disease progresses or if blood sugar targets aren't met. In both types, a key goal is to achieve optimal glycemic control (measured by HbA1c and glucose monitoring) while minimizing side effects and preventing long-term complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system. This often involves a multidisciplinary team approach.
- Dr. Rahimi mentioned 'dynamic endocrine testing'. What does that mean?
- Dynamic endocrine testing involves tests that assess how your endocrine glands respond when stimulated or suppressed by specific substances. Unlike simple blood tests that measure baseline hormone levels, these tests evaluate the gland's functional reserve or its responsiveness to normal control mechanisms. For example, an ACTH stimulation test checks how well your adrenal glands produce cortisol when stimulated. A dexamethasone suppression test helps diagnose Cushing's syndrome by seeing if cortisol production can be suppressed. An oral glucose tolerance test can be used to diagnose diabetes or acromegaly. These tests usually involve taking a baseline blood sample, then administering a medication or substance, followed by one or more timed blood samples to measure hormone changes. Dr. Rahimi uses these tests for more precise diagnosis of certain complex endocrine conditions.
Contact & Licensing Information
410-2675 36 St NE
Calgary, AB T1Y 6H6
Phone: (403) 454-3276 | Fax: (403) 252-3699
The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Dr. Rahimi is a licensed Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) under the Health Professions Act in AB. A referral from a family physician or appropriate specialist is typically required for consultations with Dr. Rahimi for services covered by the provincial health plan.
Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=f441f897-6d18-438f-a074-0a0dbf8196dd&i=1195