Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

Contributing Writer https://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC, is an Atlanta-based journalist, licensed psychotherapist, and Ayurvedic health coach, creator of the body-positive wellness company Bettie Page Fitness, and author of 2 books – The Little Book of Bettie: Taking a Page from the Queen of Pinups and Bettie Page: The Lost Years. She holds a BS in psychology from Georgia State University and an MA in counseling psychology from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology. Tori has also managed a medical practice and was instrumental in developing Georgia’s multispecialty telemedicine program. Photograph courtesy of Brooklyn Brat Images.

All articles by Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

2015 saw a great leap forward in the development and use of PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin) inhibitors. This past July, the FDA approved alirocumab (Praluent, Regeneron), followed 1 month later by the approval of a second PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab (Repatha, Amgen). The drugs were approved for use in addition to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in adult patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or those with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease requiring additional LDL-C lowering. A third drug, bococizumab (Pfizer), is currently in development. Data from large, long-term randomized controlled outcomes trials—ODYSSEY Outcomes (alirocumab), FOURIER (evolocumab), and SPIRE (bococizumab)—are anticipated to provide clear answers as to the drugs' impact on cardiovascular events and safety profiles. –from "The Promise of PSCK9 Inhibitors by Brian Ellis,” published 11/9/15.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders

Expert Q&A: Reassessing Risk-Based LDL-C Targets

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

October 23, 2020

Lipid-lowering therapies are key to the prevention of cardiovascular (CV) events and CV-related mortality.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders

The Lipid Paradox and CVD Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

October 16, 2020

Mechanistic and outcomes studies are warranted to elucidate the lipid paradox and CVD risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Diabetes

Telemedicine for Diabetes Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

April 27, 2020

Changes to restrictions for telemedicine may have important implications for the management of adult and pediatric diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders

Reviewing Evidence on the Screening, Diagnosis, and Care of Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

April 3, 2020

Familial hypercholesterolemia is one of the most clinically relevant monogenic disorders contributing to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Adrenal

Management of Cushing Disease After Transsphenoidal Surgery

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

November 27, 2019

The clinical approach to management of Cushing disease is often complex and education on a clear approach is paramount.

Thyroid

Mixed Views on Treatment of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

November 14, 2019

The benefits of treating overt hypothyroidism in women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy are clear, but there is less clarity regarding the maternofetal and neonatal effects of subclinical hypothyroidism.

General Endocrinology

Thinking Outside the Lungs: Extrapulmonary Manifestations in PAH

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

October 31, 2019

Emerging evidence suggests that the extrapulmonary effects of pulmonary arterial hypertension may manifest in the form of vascular dysfunction in systemic circulation, metabolic/endocrine dysfunction, and skeletal and respiratory muscle dysfunction.

General Endocrinology

Easing the Burden of Chronic Pituitary Disease: What Factors Should Be Considered During Care?

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

October 18, 2019

Evidence suggests that even after optimal treatment with surgical and pharmacologic interventions, health-related quality of life remains impaired in patients with pituitary disease.

General Endocrinology

Clinician Roundtable: Does Cannabis Affect Fertility?

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

August 28, 2019

Rates of marijuana use are especially high among men and women of reproductive age. How should physicians advise patients who are trying to conceive about marijuana?

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders

The “Good Cholesterol” Myth of HDL: Update and Interview

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

July 31, 2019

Although high-density lipoprotein cholesterol has been deemed the “good cholesterol,” this label may be misleading and outdated given that there is little evidence to support a causal relationship with CVD risk reduction.

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