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

General Endocrinology

Addressing Pulmonary Care Among Transgender Patients: Improvement, Research Needed

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

April 30, 2021

Higher rates of smoking, lower rates of lung cancer screening, and more diagnoses of asthma and COPD have been seen in transgender vs cisgender individuals.

General Endocrinology

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates: Public and Expert Viewpoints

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

April 28, 2021

With many Americans awaiting to be vaccinated, while others indicating they are unlikely to get the jab, we spoke with 2 experts for their perspectives regarding this controversial topic.

ASCVD CHD Risk Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders

Managing the Interplay of Familial Hypercholesterolemia and COVID-19

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

April 26, 2021

About 90% of those with familial hypercholesterolemia have not been diagnosed or treated for it, leaving them more vulnerable for COVID-19 infection and its complications.

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.

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