Dr. Peter Senior, 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, he practices at an endocrinology clinic within an Edmonton-based hospital department located in the S Central: University of Alberta, Garneau, Windsor Park neighborhood. The facility is conveniently accessible via Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) (LRT, Bus). The practice's location is fully wheelchair accessible, with metered street parking and nearby lots available for patients' convenience. Dr. Senior’s practice primarily centers on the comprehensive management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and lipid disorders, offering personalized, evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s needs.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from England and holds specialty certification as an Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus). Dr. Senior has completed extensive postgraduate training and obtained the necessary certifications to practice hormone and metabolism care in Alberta, including licensure from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). His qualifications ensure that he adheres to the highest standards of medical practice and ethical care.
Dr. Senior is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered endocrinology with a focus on early and accurate diagnosis, patient education, and individualized treatment plans aimed at optimizing long-term health outcomes. He emphasizes evidence-based approaches and strives to empower his patients with knowledge and support. Fluent in English, he is dedicated to serving the Edmonton community with comprehensive hormonal and metabolic healthcare.
Dr. Peter Senior 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.
- 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.
Thyroid & Parathyroid Gland Disorders
- Hypercalcemia & Hypocalcemia (Disorders of Calcium Metabolism): Evaluation and management of abnormally high or low levels of calcium in the blood, which can have various underlying endocrine or non-endocrine causes.
- 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.
Bone Health & Mineral Metabolism Disorders
- Osteopenia (Low Bone Mass): A condition where bone mineral density is lower than normal peak density but not yet low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. It indicates an increased risk for developing osteoporosis.
- Paget's Disease of Bone: A chronic skeletal disorder that disrupts the normal bone remodeling process, resulting in bones that are enlarged, misshapen, and structurally unsound, leading to pain, deformities, and fractures.
- Disorders of Phosphate Homeostasis (Hypophosphatemia, Hyperphosphatemia): Imbalances in blood phosphate levels, which can be caused by various underlying conditions and affect bone health, muscle function, and energy metabolism.
This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific endocrine condition, please consult with Dr. Peter Senior.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Note: This list provides a general overview. Specific tests and treatments are determined after a thorough evaluation. Discuss with Dr. Senior 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.
Dr. Senior practices within a dedicated endocrinology clinic located in Edmonton's S Central area, specifically in the University of Alberta, Garneau, Windsor Park neighborhood. The clinic is situated near the Main Campus and University Hospital, providing convenient access for patients. Public transit options include Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) with connections via LRT and bus routes, making the clinic easily reachable for patients across the city. The facility is wheelchair accessible, ensuring comfortable access for individuals with mobility needs. Patients will find metered street parking and nearby parking lots for their convenience during visits.
- Are consultations, hormone tests, and treatments with Dr. Senior, 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. Senior, 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. Senior's office, the hospital/clinic, or Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) directly.
- Is a referral required to see Dr. Senior, 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. Senior. 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.
- How does Dr. Senior typically approach managing diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)?
- Dr. Senior'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.
- I have a thyroid nodule. What can I expect during an evaluation with an Endocrinologist like Dr. Senior?
- When evaluating a thyroid nodule, an Endocrinologist like Dr. Senior 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. Senior 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. Senior?
- An Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) like Dr. Senior 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.
- Does Dr. Senior deal with hormonal issues related to infertility or conditions like PCOS?
- [If provider is Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI):] Yes, as a Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility specialist (REI), Dr. Senior has advanced training in diagnosing and treating complex hormonal disorders that affect fertility and reproductive health in both women and men. This includes conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), ovulatory dysfunction, endometriosis-related hormonal issues, premature ovarian insufficiency, male hypogonadism impacting fertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss. He can manage ovulation induction, provide hormonal support for assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, and address other intricate reproductive endocrine problems. [Else:] A general Endocrinologist (Diabetes & Metabolism Focus) like Dr. Senior 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, He would typically collaborate with or refer patients to a subspecialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI).
11400 University Ave NW, Clinic 3B
Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z1
Phone: (780) 492-3626 | Fax: (780) 492-6444
The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Dr. Senior 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. Senior 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=1b7726b4-78b8-4e4c-a453-4bd96e2603ad&i=1303