Annette J. Dobson is an endocrinologist based in Herston Road, Herston, QLD, Australia.
Endocrinology is all about hormones. And in everyday life, hormones can affect lots of different things, from energy and body weight to sleep, mood, and how the heart and bones are doing. Annette looks after people who need help when hormone balance is off, or when ongoing hormone health needs careful follow-up.
In practice, she supports patients with menopause and menopause-related changes, including when hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is being considered or adjusted. She also helps with conditions linked to the ovaries, such as premature ovarian failure and issues after oophorectomy, and she can guide care around abnormal bleeding like menorrhagia.
Hormones also play a big role in bone health. Many people seen in an endocrine clinic are dealing with osteoporosis, including postmenopausal osteoporosis, and they may need help understanding their risk and what treatment options could fit. At times, this can overlap with other health concerns like metabolic syndrome and obesity, where the goal is often to get things more stable and easier to manage day to day.
Annette also sees patients where the symptoms are wider than one single diagnosis. That can include endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, and headaches that seem to change with the menstrual cycle. Some patients come in with trouble managing sweating (hyperhidrosis), while others may be managing blood pressure issues like hypertension and want a clear plan that looks at the bigger picture.
Over time, endocrine care can touch mental health and memory symptoms too. Annette works with people who have PTSD and dementia, including vascular dementia, especially when hormone or metabolic factors may be part of the story. She can also be involved in care for stroke recovery and related risk factors, depending on the person’s overall health needs.
There are also times when patients need help after major gynaecological surgery, such as hysterectomy, or when infertility is part of the reason for seeking support. And in some cases, she may be involved in follow-up care after infections like leptospirosis.
For appointments, it can help to bring a list of symptoms, past test results, and any current medicines or hormone treatments. That way, the plan can be made in a practical way that fits the person’s life.