Exploring Endocrinology with Dr. Caroline Messer 

Dr. Caroline Messer is the founder of Well by Messer and Endocrinologist at Fifth Avenue Endocrinology committed to providing superb care for all of her patients. Dr. Messer is board certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism with additional certifications in Clinical Densitometry and Endocrine Neck Ultrasound. She’s actively engaged in clinical research and is a frequent guest lecturer to other physicians on topics such as metabolism, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and diabetes. We are proud to have Dr. Caroline Messer in The Lanby’s specialist network. Let’s get to know more about her passion for endocrinology and excitement for developments in the field today.  

What drew you to pursue endocrinology, and why did you choose to focus on thyroid disease, osteoporosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and diabetes in particular?

I fell in love with endocrinology as a medical student at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. I had a brilliant professor named Dr. Alice Levine who made adrenal pathophysiology the most riveting, sit-at-the-edge-of-your-seat subject. It was then I realized I would never be bored and would also never be out of a job given the insane complexity of the material. I was similarly attracted to the idea of developing long-term relationships with my patients. Finally, my pragmatic side loved that nearly all endocrine diseases have effective treatments. I focus on the most prevalent endocrine conditions but love treating the more esoteric endocrinopathies as well.

What advancements or research within the field of endocrinology are you currently most excited about?

I’m very excited about the introduction of triple-hormone combination weight loss medications. I believe that these types of therapies will be used for weight loss but also to prevent heart disease, neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and various rheumatologic conditions. I am also holding out hope that stem-cell derived islet cells (the cells that produce insulin) will become a mainstay of treatment for type 1 diabetes within my lifetime.

How do you decide when to start someone on weight loss medications?

I likely have a lower threshold to treat than many other doctors. There are so many secondary advantages to the incretin therapies like Ozempic and Mounjaro that I rarely feel that they are inappropriate. Of course, I always do a comprehensive workup for secondary causes of weight gain and screen patients for active eating disorders. I often recommend concurrent consultations with my trainers, dietitian, psychologist, and health coach to facilitate sustained lifestyle changes. 

How do you treat insulin resistance? 

In most cases, the key to reducing insulin resistance is weight loss. Medication-wise, I generally reach for metformin, thiazolidinediones and incretin therapies.  

At The Lanby, we value hospitality as a key factor in optimizing health outcomes. In what way do you apply the tenets of hospitality to your approach to care?

At Well by Messer, the experience begins with the courteous and professional receptionists and medical assistants. Medical forms are all sent in advance using Docusign to help streamline the intake process. The offices are beautifully appointed and feature the most up-to-date equipment (including in-body machines, thyroid ultrasounds etc). We keep an onsite medication refrigerator and cabinet fully stocked with the most difficult to obtain medications. We submit all insurance claims for out of network reimbursement to eliminate an additional hassle for the patient. We have four double-board certified endocrinologists (Dr. Barrie Weinstein, Dr. Amanda Halstrom, Dr. Meg Ryan, and myself ) to ensure same-day appointments. The doctors make every effort to run to-the-minute on time and always return phone calls and messages on the same business day. Our physicians are licensed in multiple states to allow for telemedicine visits as needed.  The entire team works together to ensure a seamless experience for the patient. 

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