Dr. med. Siegbert Stracke

The thyroid is an organ located in the neck that produces vital hormones. These hormones regulate basal metabolic rate and act in almost all body cells, stimulating energy metabolism there. They are also important for growth and differentiation. Iodine is necessary for hormone production. A corresponding deficiency can lead to a lack of production of these hormones. This hormone deficiency is then registered in our pituitary gland and the control hormone TSH is released, which should stimulate the thyroid to produce more. Increased TSH release also leads to thyroid growth, and a so-called goiter can develop. The shape of the thyroid can be examined by palpating the neck. A pronounced goiter is visible in humans. Ultrasound is primarily used for diagnostic imaging, and scintigraphy is used for further clarification of nodules and functional disorders. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are also used for specific questions. A fine-needle aspiration of the thyroid is used to obtain samples for cytology. A biopsy is used to obtain samples for histological examination. These specialized tests are then performed after referral to a radiologist. The laboratory can determine free T3 and T4 levels, as well as TSH and thyroglobulin levels. For specific questions, additional laboratory parameters, such as antibodies, may be requested. If an enlarged thyroid is found during the physical examination, further evaluation is performed using ultrasound (sonography) of the thyroid.

Our blood vessels supply all of our organs with the necessary nutrients and energy sources needed to maintain bodily functions. Damage to these vessels therefore usually results in organ damage. The causes of vascular damage are usually disorders of sugar and fat metabolism, high blood pressure, and smoking.

One of the most important organs that tolerates reduced blood flow extremely poorly is our brain. One of the most common causes of stroke is calcification of the neck vessels, which we aim to clarify with this examination. If plaques or calcifications are present, medication and other preventative measures can halt the progression of the disease and thus prevent a stroke.

The abdominal aorta must endure considerable pressure throughout life. However, the more pronounced the cardiovascular risk factors, the faster the abdominal aorta will suffer damage. This can manifest itself in calcification, but also in dilation, or even an aneurysm requiring surgery. The problem is that the corresponding changes usually go unnoticed throughout life until it's too late. An aortic ultrasound can prevent this.

So-called intermittent claudication is caused by calcification of the leg arteries. Affected patients must stop after a certain distance because walking leads to reduced blood flow to the leg muscles. In a shopping street, this is often done to look at the shop windows, hence the name for this condition. Measuring blood pressure in both arms and legs can provide an initial indication of the presence of this condition. If the ankle-brachial index is abnormal, we will conduct further tests.

Usually, your stomach hurts when something is wrong—but unfortunately, not always, and sometimes it hurts too late. An ultrasound of the abdominal organs can reveal pathological changes early on that you might not notice and that wouldn't be detected in a clinical examination or blood test.

The liver, as the metabolic organ of our body, has to endure a lot. It's not just alcohol that can damage it – poor diet and medication can also take their toll. Unfortunately, the liver is also an organ that suffers silently, often only making itself known when it's already too late. Changes such as fatty liver disease (an early sign of damage) can be easily detected with ultrasound. The other organs of the abdominal cavity are also easily accessible via sonography and can sometimes provide clues to other systemic diseases.

The colon is a whole chapter in itself, and ultrasound examinations are usually only accessible when symptoms are present. Therefore, we primarily perform colon ultrasounds only when symptoms are present. However, these scans often provide a good visualization of colon inflammation or infectious diseases.

The kidneys are responsible for detoxification and controlling the body's fluid and salt balance. When they can no longer perform these tasks, the blood must be cleaned of toxins through dialysis. They also perform less obvious functions, such as influencing blood pressure.

With increasing age, the volume of the prostate can multiply. This enlargement of the prostate can subsequently lead to difficulty urinating. Combined with PSA testing, ultrasound scanning provides a good diagnostic tool for differentiating the diagnosis from malignant changes in the prostate. As part of prostate cancer screening, PSA testing and ultrasound are extremely important for detecting tumors early.

Examination of the heart

Prevention and screening are essential in gynecology to maintain a woman's health and detect potential diseases early. During a screening appointment, we offer comprehensive examinations, such as a Pap smear for the early detection of cervical cancer, breast examinations, and targeted counseling on contraception, hormone balance, and other women-specific topics. Regular screenings allow risk factors to be identified early and individually tailored treatment to promote your long-term health.

During our cardiac check-up, we primarily focus on your heart. Our primary goal is to assess your risk of developing structural heart disease. Examples include coronary artery disease, which can lead to a heart attack, or changes in the heart valves, which can subsequently lead to heart failure. This examination also provides a better understanding of the effects of high blood pressure on the heart.

Echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) is an elegant method for describing the function and structure of the heart. The focus is on describing the pumping function of your left and right heart and checking for any wall motion abnormalities. We also examine your heart valves for changes such as narrowing or inability to close. We follow a standardized procedure and can also perform further ultrasound examinations if abnormalities are detected.

Lung function and blood gas analysis