About
Dr. Hélène Villeneuve, a Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus), provides expert care for adult patients, and may also see older adolescents for certain endocrine conditions. With conditions related to Diabetes & Metabolism, she practices at the Clinique endocrinologie et pneumologie du Saguenay in Chicoutimi, QC. She is a respected member of the local medical community, adhering to the high standards set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). Her role primarily involves the comprehensive management of hormonal and metabolic disorders, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and lipid abnormalities. Dr. Villeneuve’s practice is dedicated to offering personalized, compassionate, and evidence-based care to support her patients' long-term health and well-being.
She holds a Medical Degree from a recognized institution and has accumulated over 26 years of experience as an Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) since 1998. Her extensive postgraduate training and certifications enable her to provide specialized diabetes and metabolism care in Quebec, ensuring her patients benefit from the latest clinical practices and innovations in endocrine health.
Dr. Villeneuve’s clinical philosophy centers on a patient-focused approach that emphasizes early and accurate diagnosis, ongoing education, and tailored treatment plans. She is committed to empowering her patients through education about managing chronic conditions and promoting healthy lifestyles. Fluent in French, she is dedicated to fostering a supportive and understanding environment for her patients in Chicoutimi.

Dr. Hélène Villeneuve diagnoses and treats a wide range of hormonal and metabolic disorders, including:
Diabetes & Related Metabolic Disorders
- Monogenic Forms of Diabetes (e.g., MODY, Neonatal Diabetes): Rare types of diabetes caused by mutations in a single gene, differing from the more common Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in presentation and management.
- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): Diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy that was not clearly overt diabetes prior to gestation, requiring careful management to ensure healthy outcomes for both mother and baby.
- Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar - various causes): Abnormally low blood glucose levels, which can occur as a side effect of diabetes treatment (insulin or certain oral medications), or due to other underlying conditions like insulinoma or adrenal insufficiency.
Pituitary, Adrenal & Gonadal Axis Disorders
- Primary Aldosteronism (Conn's Syndrome): A condition where the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone, leading to high blood pressure and low potassium levels.
- 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.
- Hypopituitarism (Panhypopituitarism, Isolated Hormone Deficiencies): Condition where the pituitary gland fails to produce adequate amounts of one or more crucial hormones (e.g., GH, ACTH, TSH, LH/FSH, ADH), requiring hormone replacement therapy.
Thyroid & Parathyroid Gland Disorders
- Hypoparathyroidism: A rare condition in which the parathyroid glands produce too little PTH, resulting in low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia) and high phosphorus levels.
- Thyroiditis (e.g., Subacute/De Quervain's, Postpartum, Silent/Painless): Inflammation of the thyroid gland, which can cause temporary hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism, or persistent thyroid dysfunction, depending on the type.
This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific endocrine condition, please consult with Dr. Hélène Villeneuve.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Note: This list provides a general overview. Specific tests and treatments are determined after a thorough evaluation. Discuss with Dr. Villeneuve for care relevant to your specific condition.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) and relevant endocrinological care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.
Clinique endocrinologie et pneumologie du Saguenay is situated in the vibrant area near central Chicoutimi, offering convenient access for patients. The practice is located within a modern medical facility that is easily reachable via local public transit routes. Patients can enjoy the ease of parking with metered street parking and nearby parking lots. The facility is wheelchair accessible, ensuring comfort and ease for all patients seeking hormone and metabolism care. The practice is close to local points of interest and community services, making it an ideal location for comprehensive endocrine health management.
- Are consultations, hormone tests, and treatments with Dr. Villeneuve, an Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus), covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?
- Medically necessary consultations with a licensed Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) like Dr. Villeneuve, 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 Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC 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. Villeneuve's office, the hospital/clinic, or Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) directly.
- Is a referral required to see Dr. Villeneuve, 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. Villeneuve. 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.
- I have a thyroid nodule. What can I expect during an evaluation with an Endocrinologist like Dr. Villeneuve?
- When evaluating a thyroid nodule, an Endocrinologist like Dr. Villeneuve will conduct a thorough assessment. This typically involves reviewing your medical history (including any symptoms of thyroid dysfunction or family history of thyroid disease), performing a physical examination of your neck and thyroid gland, and ordering blood tests to check your thyroid function (TSH, and possibly free T4, T3, and thyroid antibodies). A thyroid ultrasound is almost always performed to precisely characterize the nodule's size, number, and sonographic features (e.g., solid, cystic, calcifications, irregular margins). Based on these ultrasound characteristics and the nodule's size, Dr. Villeneuve will determine if a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is needed to obtain cells for microscopic examination to rule out thyroid cancer. Most thyroid nodules are benign.
- What types of diagnostic tests are commonly used by an Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) like Dr. Villeneuve?
- An Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) like Dr. Villeneuve 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). She 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.
Clinique endocrinologie et pneumologie du Saguenay
114-475 Boul Talbot
Chicoutimi, QC G7H 4A3
Phone: (418) 549-4598 | Fax: (418) 549-9948
The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Dr. Villeneuve is a licensed Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Medical Act in QC. A referral from a family physician or appropriate specialist is typically required for consultations with Dr. Villeneuve for services covered by the provincial health plan.
Verify registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=97316