Dr. Léna Salgado

Dr. Léna Salgado diagnoses and treats a wide range of hormonal and metabolic disorders, including:

Diabetes & Related Metabolic Disorders

• 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.
• Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM): An autoimmune condition resulting in the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, requiring lifelong insulin therapy for survival and glucose management.
• 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.

Bone Health & Mineral Metabolism Disorders

• Osteoporosis (Postmenopausal, Senile, Glucocorticoid-Induced): A progressive bone disease characterized by decreased bone mass and density, leading to an increased risk of fractures, particularly of the hip, spine, and wrist.
• Rickets & Osteomalacia: Conditions characterized by softening and weakening of bones, typically due to severe and prolonged vitamin D deficiency. Rickets occurs in children, leading to skeletal deformities, while osteomalacia occurs in adults.

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.
• Thyroid Cancer (Differentiated - Papillary, Follicular; Medullary - follow-up care): Malignant tumors of the thyroid gland. Endocrinologists are involved in post-operative management, hormone suppression, and long-term surveillance.
• Hypoparathyroidism: A rare condition in which the parathyroid glands produce too little PTH, resulting in low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia) and high phosphorus levels.

This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific endocrine condition, please consult with Dr. Léna Salgado.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. Salgado 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.

Centre Régional du Diabète (Cité-de-la-Santé) is situated in Laval's Chomedey East neighborhood, serving as a cornerstone for endocrine and metabolic health in the region. The facility is conveniently accessible via public transit, with the Gare Chomedey (future) station nearby, and is well-connected to the Société de transport de Laval (STL) network. The practice is wheelchair accessible to ensure inclusive care for all patients. Ample parking options are available, including metered street parking and nearby parking lots, making it easy for patients to attend their appointments.

Are consultations, hormone tests, and treatments with Dr. Salgado, 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. Salgado, 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. Salgado's office, the hospital/clinic, or Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) directly.

Is a referral required to see Dr. Salgado, 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. Salgado. 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.

Does Dr. Salgado deal with hormonal issues related to infertility or conditions like PCOS?

As a general Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus), Dr. Salgado routinely manages common endocrine conditions that can impact reproductive health, such as thyroid disorders or prolactin imbalances, and can provide initial evaluation and management for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), including its metabolic and hormonal aspects. For complex infertility requiring assisted reproductive technologies (like IVF) or highly specialized reproductive surgeries, she would typically collaborate with or refer patients to a subspecialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI).

I have a thyroid nodule. What can I expect during an evaluation with an Endocrinologist like Dr. Salgado?

When evaluating a thyroid nodule, Dr. Salgado will review your medical history, perform a physical exam of your neck and thyroid gland, and order blood tests such as TSH, free T4, T3, and thyroid antibodies. An ultrasound of the thyroid will be conducted to characterize the nodule's features, and based on these, she may recommend a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to assess for malignancy. Most thyroid nodules are benign, and her approach aims for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

Dr. Salgado mentioned 'dynamic endocrine testing'. What does that mean?

Dynamic endocrine testing involves stimulating or suppressing specific endocrine glands to evaluate their functional capacity. These tests help in diagnosing complex hormonal conditions by measuring how hormone levels change in response to certain medications or stimuli, such as ACTH stimulation for adrenal function, dexamethasone suppression for Cushing's syndrome, or glucose tolerance tests for acromegaly. Dr. Salgado uses these assessments to achieve precise diagnoses in challenging cases.

Centre Régional du Diabète (Cité-de-la-Santé)
1515 boul Chomedey
Laval, QC H7V 3Y7

Phone: (450) 978-8607 | Fax: (450) 978-8614

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. Salgado 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. Salgado 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=15514