Dr. Richard Blanchard, MD

Dr. Richard Blanchard, MD is an Endocrinology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Endocrine care at his clinic in Saint Petersburg, FL. 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 (727) 824-8251 to schedule.

Dr. Richard Blanchard, MD is a diabetes & metabolism endocrinologist in Saint Petersburg, FL with over 50 years of experience in the medical field. With a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, he brings his extensive experience in Osteoporosis & Screening and Thyroid Disorders to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from State University Of New York At Buffalo in 1972 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. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital and Morton Plant Hospital and is accepting new patients. Dr. Blanchard's approach to care is collaborative and evidence-based, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Richard Blanchard provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Richard Blanchard 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. Richard Blanchard 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. Richard Blanchard 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:

• Testicular Dysfunction: Regular check-ups and proactive lifestyle choices, such as a balanced diet and exercise, are essential in preventing or managing issues like testicular dysfunction.
• Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis weakens your bones, making them fragile and prone to fractures, but regular bone density screenings and a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk.
• Adrenal Gland Diseases: Early detection of adrenal gland diseases is crucial for timely intervention and preventing long-term health problems.
• Neuroendocrine Tumors: Neuroendocrine tumors, while uncommon, highlight the importance of preventive health screenings, especially if you have a family history, to enable early intervention and better management.
• Thyroid Nodule: A thyroid nodule is a lump in your thyroid gland that, if detected early through regular checkups, can often be managed effectively to prevent potential complications like thyroid cancer or hyperthyroidism.
• Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases: Protecting your thyroid health involves understanding your risk for autoimmune diseases, allowing for timely intervention and preventing severe impacts on your metabolism and overall wellbeing.
• Diabetic Polyneuropathy: Regular checkups, including blood sugar monitoring and nerve function tests, can help detect diabetic polyneuropathy early, allowing for timely intervention and reducing future complications.
• Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, can be managed effectively through early detection and treatment, preventing serious heart problems and bone loss.
• Drug Induced Adrenocortical Insufficiency: By working closely with your doctor to manage your medications and recognizing potential symptoms of drug-induced adrenal insufficiency early, you can proactively prevent serious health complications and maintain your hormonal health.
• Thyroid Cyst: Managing a thyroid cyst effectively, often through monitoring, helps reduce the risk of it growing larger or causing thyroid function problems.
• Pituitary Tumor: Early diagnosis of a pituitary tumor is crucial for effective management, preventing the tumor from growing and impacting hormone production, thus avoiding potential long-term health issues.
• Vitamin D Deficiency: Preventing vitamin D deficiency is crucial for maintaining strong bones and a healthy immune system, reducing your risk of fractures and other health problems later in life.

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. Richard Blanchard 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: Take control of your health with continuous glucose monitoring: a small sensor tracks your glucose levels, alerting you to potential problems and helping prevent serious long-term health issues.
• 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: Maintain a balanced hormonal system and avoid potential health complications by using thyroid hormone replacement therapy to address thyroid deficiency, ensuring optimal health outcomes.
• Menopause Evaluation and Treatment: Invest in your future health by seeking a menopause evaluation; this helps identify potential issues early, enabling effective management and prevention of future problems.
• Radioactive Iodine I-131 Therapy: For individuals with certain thyroid disorders, radioactive iodine I-131 therapy offers a focused treatment option to help regulate thyroid hormone levels and prevent complications.
• Testopel® Pellet: Take charge of your health by exploring Testopel® Pellets as a long-term testosterone replacement option to address symptoms of low T.
• 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. Richard Blanchard 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 prioritizing regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle, a patient proactively managed potential issues with testicular health, gaining valuable peace of mind.
• By scheduling regular bone density screenings and adopting a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, a patient significantly lowered their risk of osteoporosis, gaining peace of mind about their bone health.
• By scheduling regular checkups and following a personalized plan, a patient proactively managed their adrenal health, reducing the risk of future complications and gaining peace of mind.

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. Richard Blanchard:

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 like diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, and 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 involves the body not using insulin properly (insulin resistance), often managed initially with lifestyle changes and oral medications, but potentially requiring insulin later.

What is osteoporosis and how can I prevent it?

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures. Preventing it involves adequate calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and avoiding smoking. Dr. Blanchard can assess your risk and recommend a bone density scan.

What is metabolic syndrome?

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

How do insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) help manage diabetes?

Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are advanced technologies that enable tighter diabetes control. A CGM acts as a sensor, constantly tracking glucose levels, while an insulin pump delivers a precise, continuous dose of insulin, mimicking a healthy pancreas. This combination helps prevent dangerous blood sugar fluctuations.

I was told I have prediabetes. Can I prevent it from becoming Type 2 diabetes?

Yes, a prediabetes diagnosis is a critical opportunity for prevention. Dr. Blanchard can create a personalized plan involving modest weight loss, dietary changes, and increased physical activity, which can significantly delay or even prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

What is Graves' disease?

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

Can hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause be safe?

Yes, for the right candidate. For many women, HRT is a safe and effective way to manage bothersome menopausal symptoms. Dr. Blanchard will conduct a thorough risk assessment to determine if you are a good candidate and will prescribe the lowest effective dose for the appropriate duration.

620 10th St N
Saint Petersburg FL 33705
Phone: (727) 824-8251

Dr. Richard Blanchard, 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): 1528153392

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. Richard Blanchard 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.