Carling Adrenal Center

11/03/2025

Patients with adrenal disease travel from around the globe to have adrenal surgery with Dr. Carling at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa, FL. Dr. Carling performs adrenal surgery exclusively and is the highest-volume adrenal surgeon in the world, performing about 500 adrenal operations per year.

Learn more and become our patient here: https://www.adrenal.com/surgery

10/31/2025

From all of us at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, we wish you a safe and fun Halloween! 🎃👻 While we treat some of the scariest endocrine diseases, our goal is always to make your journey less frightening and full of hope.

10/29/2025

High blood pressure is the #1 risk factor for stroke — and for many, the real cause lies in the adrenal glands.

🩺 Disorders like Conn’s syndrome (primary aldosteronism), pheochromocytoma, and Cushing’s syndrome can all push blood pressure dan

🧠 On World Stroke Day, we’re highlighting that these adrenal causes are often curable with surgery. Treating the source can prevent strokes and save lives.

10/24/2025

🌏 Interesting Case of the Week: Conn’s Syndrome from New Zealand

Many doctors around the world still overlook Conn’s syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism)—a serious adrenal disorder that causes high blood pressure, low potassium, and long-term damage to the heart and kidneys.

👩‍⚕️ Our patient traveled all the way from New Zealand to the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, becoming the first from her country to be treated here. She had a textbook case: suppressed renin, high aldosterone, very low potassium, and a 1.4 cm adrenal tumor. Despite this, her doctors delayed surgery after two failed adrenal vein samplings and wanted to keep her on blood pressure pills for life.

Instead, she came to the Carling Adrenal Center, where Dr. Carling performed a 17-minute mini back-scope adrenalectomy—a minimally invasive procedure that completely cured her.

✅ Off all blood pressure meds.
✅ No more potassium supplements.
✅ Fully cured of Conn’s syndrome.

💪 One trip. One expert. One cure.

10/22/2025

🎯 Did you know that some cancers can spread to the adrenal glands — and surgery can still offer a cure?

An adrenal metastasis occurs when cancer from another organ, like the lung, kidney, or colon, spreads to the adrenal gland. While this represents stage 4 disease, if the metastasis is isolated, surgical removal may be curative.

At the Carling Adrenal Center, Dr. Tobias Carling performs adrenal metastasis surgery using the Mini Back Scope Adrenalectomy (MBSA) — a minimally invasive approach that enables complete tumor removal with small incisions, less pain, and faster recovery.

For the right patients, adrenalectomy can significantly improve survival and outcomes.

👉 Learn more about adrenal metastasis and treatment options here: https://www.adrenal.com/adrenal-metastasis/overview

10/17/2025

Interesting Case of the Week: Adrenal Cancer Presenting as an Adrenal Incidentaloma ⚡️

A 56-year-old woman went to the ER with nausea and vomiting, concerned about an infection. There was no infection, but her CT scan revealed a 5 cm right adrenal mass. The radiologist noted that it had an “atypical imaging phenotype,” meaning it didn’t look like a typical benign adrenal adenoma.

Her doctors acted quickly and ordered a full set of hormone tests, which confirmed the mass was non-functional — it wasn’t overproducing cortisol, aldosterone, or adrenaline-type hormones. Still, any adrenal tumor of this size must be taken seriously.

She reached out to the Carling Adrenal Center and traveled to Tampa for surgery. She underwent a right Mini Back Scope Adrenalectomy (MBSA) — a minimally invasive procedure that took less than 30 minutes. During surgery, the tumor was fully removed with no evidence of spread.

Pathology confirmed what we had suspected: it was an adrenocortical carcinoma (adrenal cancer), fortunately detected at an early stage.

We’ve already coordinated her follow-up care with a top cancer center near her home, where her team will continue close surveillance for years to come.

➡️ Become our patient: https://www.adrenal.com/surgery

10/16/2025

🏥 High Blood Pressure? It Could Be an Adrenal Tumor

Not all high blood pressure is simple hypertension. Hidden adrenal tumors—such as those causing primary aldosteronism (Conn’s Syndrome), pheochromocytoma, or Cushing Syndrome—can drive elevated blood pressure and contribute to serious health risks like diabetes, heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and early mortality.

In this video, Dr. Carling of the Carling Adrenal Center explains why proper screening for adrenal tumors is critical. Testing starts with blood work to check hormone levels, and if abnormal, an adrenal protocol CT scan identifies the tumor. Relying solely on medications may control symptoms temporarily, but does not address the underlying cause.

Surgical removal of adrenal tumors is the gold standard and only definitive cure for tumor-driven high blood pressure. Early consultation with an adrenal specialist and expert surgical care are essential for achieving long-term health and preventing complications.

▶️ Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/foqxGVjKYSg

Not all high blood pressure is “just hypertension.” In fact, up to 20% of cases may be caused by an adrenal tumor. These tumors—such as those linked to prima...

10/15/2025

🩺 Did You Know?

Adrenal tumors aren’t just about size — even small tumors that overproduce hormones can seriously affect your health, causing conditions like Conn’s syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, or pheochromocytoma. Careful imaging and expert evaluation are critical to determine whether a tumor is benign, malignant, or functional, and to decide the safest treatment plan. Biopsies are generally avoided, as they can cause serious complications or spread tumor cells.

At the Carling Adrenal Center, Dr. Carling and his team are world leaders in adrenal surgery, performing hundreds of Mini Back Scope Adrenalectomies each year. This minimally invasive approach allows for safe, precise removal of adrenal tumors with quick recovery and excellent outcomes.

10/14/2025

💊 Primary Aldosteronism (PA): Medications vs Surgery

Primary aldosteronism, also known as Conn’s Syndrome, is caused by adrenal tumors that produce excess aldosterone, leading to high blood pressure and potassium imbalance. While medications can help control symptoms, they do not cure the underlying tumor.

In this video, Dr. Carling from the Carling Adrenal Center explains why surgical removal of the adrenal tumor—adrenalectomy—is the only definitive cure for PA, and highlights the role of medications as a bridge to surgery or for patients who are not surgical candidates due to obesity, other health conditions, or limited access to specialized surgeons.

🔬 He also emphasizes the importance of expert surgical care, careful patient evaluation, and early consultation with adrenal specialists to achieve the best outcomes and long-term health. Watch the full video here to learn more: https://youtu.be/BHGdiih2FOQ

Can pills and medications cure primary aldosteronism (PA or Conn’s syndrome)? The short answer: no. While drugs like spironolactone and eplerenone can help c...