Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai, MD

Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai, MD is an Endocrinology specialist at TGH Cancer Institute in Tampa, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Endocrine care. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your endocrinologist is your primary partner in preventing hormonal and metabolic issues, creating personalized long-term health plans, coordinating essential screenings, and empowering you to manage your overall wellness for a healthier future. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (813) 302-1571 to schedule.

Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai, MD is a diabetes & metabolism endocrinologist in Tampa, FL, with extensive experience in Osteoporosis & Screening, Thyroid Disorders, and Diabetes & Glucose Monitoring. He is affiliated with Tampa General Hospital and is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. He earned his medical degree from University Of Jordan, Faculty Of Medicine, and is Board Certified in Diabetes, Metabolism & Endocrinology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. El-Rifai's approach to care is rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Lipid Disorders: High cholesterol and other lipid disorders can seriously harm your heart and blood vessels, but regular checkups and healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent these problems.
• Neuroendocrine Tumors: Even though neuroendocrine tumors are rare, proactive health management involving regular screenings and monitoring symptoms can lead to early diagnosis and minimize the impact of this condition on the endocrine system.
• Thyroid Nodule: Managing a thyroid nodule proactively through monitoring and appropriate treatment prevents the development of potentially harmful thyroid hormone imbalances and safeguards your overall well-being.
• Mineral Metabolism Disorders: Preventing complications from mineral metabolism disorders involves maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sunlight for vitamin D, and undergoing regular blood tests to identify potential imbalances before they cause serious problems.
• Hyperaldosteronism: Preventing complications from hyperaldosteronism starts with understanding your risk factors and getting regular checkups to detect this condition early, which can potentially prevent high blood pressure and other issues.
• Secondary Diabetes Mellitus: Managing underlying health issues that cause secondary diabetes is crucial for preventing further damage to your body and improving your overall well-being.
• Adrenal Incidentaloma: An adrenal incidentaloma is an adrenal gland mass discovered incidentally during imaging for another reason, and early detection through regular checkups can help identify any potential hormonal imbalances before they cause problems.
• Diabetes Insipidus: Regular health monitoring, including fluid intake and urine output, is essential for early diagnosis and management of diabetes insipidus.
• Abnormal Thyroid: Managing an abnormal thyroid is vital for preventing heart disease, bone problems, and other significant health complications; regular check-ups and appropriate treatment play a critical role.
• Growth Hormone Deficiency: Regular check-ups can help identify growth hormone deficiency early, allowing for timely intervention and improved quality of life.
• Renal Hyperparathyroidism: Regular checkups, especially if you have kidney disease, can help detect renal hyperparathyroidism early, preventing serious bone and cardiovascular problems.
• Benign Pituitary Gland Tumor: While often harmless, a benign pituitary tumor can disrupt hormone production; proactive monitoring and management can help prevent significant health problems down the line.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Continuous Glucose Monitoring: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) helps you proactively track your blood sugar levels throughout the day and night, empowering you to make informed decisions to prevent or manage diabetes complications.
• Diabetes Counseling: Diabetes counseling empowers you to make informed decisions about your health and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Thyroid Hormone Replacement: Proactively manage your thyroid health and improve symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and depression by addressing hormone deficiencies with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
• Thyroid Nodule Evaluation: Take a proactive step towards better thyroid health with a nodule evaluation; it screens for thyroid nodules, which may be benign or require attention.
• Chronic Diabetes Management: Regularly check your blood sugar and follow a personalized plan to prevent or delay diabetes-related complications.
• Insulin Therapy: Taking insulin as prescribed is a proactive step to keep your blood sugar within a healthy range, protecting your overall health.
• Diabetic Evaluation: Protect your long-term health by scheduling a diabetic evaluation – this check-up screens for diabetes and helps you understand your risk factors.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Endocrinologies in Florida.

Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By adhering to a personalized plan, including regular checkups and dietary changes, a patient proactively managed their lipid levels, significantly reducing their risk of future cardiovascular issues. This proactive approach instilled confidence and peace of mind in their long-term health.
• By adhering to a proactive screening schedule and closely monitoring potential symptoms, a patient was able to detect a neuroendocrine tumor early, minimizing its impact on their endocrine system and allowing for focused treatment. This proactive approach brought significant peace of mind and a positive outlook on their health journey.
• By proactively monitoring thyroid nodules, a patient gained valuable peace of mind, knowing that early detection and appropriate treatment minimized the risk of future thyroid hormone imbalances.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Endocrine care with Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai:

What is an Endocrinologist?

An endocrinologist is a doctor specializing in the endocrine system, the network of glands that produce hormones. They diagnose and treat hormonal imbalances, and manage conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body doesn't produce insulin, requiring lifelong insulin therapy. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body doesn't use insulin properly (insulin resistance), often managed initially with lifestyle changes and oral medications, but may eventually require insulin.

What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess belly fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels, that significantly increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Managing these conditions is a crucial preventive strategy.

I have a thyroid nodule. Does this mean I have cancer?

The vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign. Dr. El-Rifai is experienced in evaluating thyroid nodules, often using ultrasound and sometimes a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to determine if further testing is needed.

What is the A1c test and why is it important?

The A1c test is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. Unlike a daily finger-stick, which is a snapshot, the A1c provides a more comprehensive picture of long-term glucose control. It's a crucial tool for diagnosing diabetes and monitoring its impact to prevent potential complications.

What is Hashimoto's disease?

Hashimoto's disease is the most common cause of an underactive thyroid in the U.S. It's an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing damage over time. Fortunately, it's easily managed with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

What is Graves' disease?

Graves' disease is the most common cause of an overactive thyroid. It's an autoimmune disorder where your immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, causing it to produce too much hormone. Fortunately, it's a treatable condition managed effectively by an endocrinologist.

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in women that can cause irregular periods, acne, and excess hair growth. It's often linked to insulin resistance and can impact fertility. Dr. El-Rifai can create a comprehensive plan to manage the hormonal and metabolic aspects of PCOS.

TGH Cancer Institute
16011 Tampa Palms Blvd W
Tampa FL 33647
Phone: (813) 302-1571

Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1992112973

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Endocrinologies like Dr. Mohammad El-Rifai are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your endocrinology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.