Dr. Caroline K. Messer
Dr. Caroline Messer is a double-board certified endocrinologist and the founder of both Well by Messer and Fifth Avenue Endocrinology. She is committed to providing superb care for her patients at her two beautiful offices. She has several thousand active patients but is well-known for always running on time and returning calls in a timely fashion. She has a broad range of expertise but particularly enjoys preventative care.
Academic Background
Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Mount Sinai Hospital
Residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital
Medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Undergraduate degree from Yale University
Professional Memberships
Endocrine Society
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology
Board Certifications
Dr. Messer is board certified in:
Internal Medicine
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Dr. Messer is also certified in:
Clinical Densitometry
Endocrine Neck Ultrasound (ECNU)
Hospital Privileges
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Clinical Assistant Professor
Hofstra School of Medicine, New York, NY
Assistant Professor
Get to Know Dr. Caroline K. Messer
Why Did You Become a Doctor?
I come from a long line of doctors, starting with my grandparents. I wouldn’t say it was a foregone conclusion that I’d become a doctor, but I’ve wanted to be a physician since I was three. I never really considered any other profession; it’s a part of my identity. Having a grandmother as a doctor was especially inspiring. She was an OB-GYN, and one of the founding members of Planned Parenthood.
What Made You Focus on Endocrinology?
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 that I realized I would never be bored and would also never be out of a job given the incredible 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 Is Your Approach to Medicine?
I truly believe that we need to combine our expertise with a sustained ability to really listen to the patient. As such, we need time to allow the patient to properly share their histories. My grandparents came to the U.S. after escaping the rise of Nazi Germany in the late 1930s, and they opened their own practice shortly afterward in Brooklyn. My grandparents literally had to smuggle their medical diplomas out of the country. Recently, I found my grandparents’ scheduling books from their practice in 1940s. They were seeing approximately ten patients per day, which blew my mind because at my peak, I was seeing 25-30 patients per day. Attending to that many patients per day, for me, took away the joy of practicing medicine. Now I see about 10-15 patients per day and am unbelievably happy at my job. I think that’s the way that medicine is supposed to be practiced.
Something I especially love is when I see one patient and they start to send friends or family to see me as well. That’s when I begin to learn about them the most and form close relationships. I have patients whom I have been seeing for over 15 years who have followed me from Westchester to Lenox Hill and now to my private practice. I find that so rewarding.
I also strongly believe that we need to continue to practice evidence-based medicine despite some trends to the contrary.
How Would You Define Patient Care?
Patient care starts with rigorous training and continues by staying up to date with all the current literature. Beyond that, it involves an open and non-judgmental bedside manner at all times, even when life throws you curveballs.
Do You Do Any Philanthropic Work?
I dedicate a portion of my practice to patients from underserved communities and do not charge them any fees. On the weekends, my family and I deliver groceries to various community centers in the Bronx. I also organize the annual family service day at my children’s school and am actively involved with a number of Jewish and Israeli non-profit organizations.
Publications
Messer C, Pessah-Pollack, R. Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy. ASAP, 2017.
Messer C, Boston R, Leroith D, Geer E, Miller JD, Messer M, Futterweit W. Pancreatic Beta-Cell Dysfunction in PCOS: The Role of Metformin. Endocrine Practice. 2012 Sep 1; 18(5):685-93.
Messer C, Fowler M, Gabrilove L, Post K, Son H, Levine A. ACTH-producing Remnants following Apoplexy of an ACTH-secreting Pituitary Macroadenoma. Pituitary. Aug 2010.
Messer C, Tamler, R. Male Hypogonadism is Associated with Obesity, the Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes. Diabet, Nutritie, Risc Cardiometabolic (Diabetes, Metabolism, and the Heart) 2010; 2:21-24.
Messer C, Contributing Author, Chapters 4-8. Oxford American Handbook of Endocrinology and Diabetes, 2010.
Messer C, Green D. A Review of Pramlintide in the Management of Diabetes. Clinical Medicine: Therapeutics. 2009; I: 305-311.
Messer C, Kirschenbaum A, New M, Unger P, Gabrilove LJ, Levine, A. Concomitant Secretion of Glucocorticoid, Androgens and Mineralocorticoid by an Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Endocrine Practice. 2007 Jul-Aug; 13(4):408-12.
Xing J, Rochester J, Messer C, Reiter B. A Phantom Gallbladder during ERCP. World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Dec 14; 13(46):6274-6.
Becker K, Korsten C, Cambell N, Moran T, Mayer L. GP180, A Novel CD8 Ligand Expressed by Intestinal Epithelial Cells (IEC), Inhibits the Activation and Priming of Cytolytic T Cells. FASEB 1999; 13: A993.
Research & Grants
Feinstein Institute of Medical Research, New York, NY
Sub-investigator for Novartis Pasireotide Study, July 2015 – Present
Principal Investigator for Toujeo Achieve Control Trial, July 2015 – Present
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Researcher, Department of Endocrinology, Jan 2009 – Jun 2010
Principal Investigator for metformin study (2009-2010)
Recipient of Marilyn Fishman $15,000 Grant for Diabetes Research (Fall 2009)
Researcher, Department of Immunology, 1998 – 2004
Researched effects of intestinal epithelial membrane glycoprotein, gp180, on CD8+ and CD4+ T cells
Medical Talks & Presentations
Weill Cornell Endocrinology Grand Rounds (6-2019)
“Basaglar”, Pri-Med East Conference (Jan 2017)
“Eight Years Juiced Up: Swole”, Vice Sports (Nov 2016)
“PCSK-9 inhibitors”, Varney and Co, Fox News (June 2016)
“Thyroid Basics” video, About.com (June 2015)
“Graves’ Disease and Thymic Hyperplasia” Abstract, Endocrine Society Annual Meeting (Mar 2015)
“Diabetes Basics” video, About.com (Jan 2015)
“PCOS and lactation”, New York Lactation Consultant Association (Oct 2013)
“Thyroid 101”, Reproductive Medical Associations (Sept 2013)
“SGLT2 Inhibitors”, Pri-Med East Conference (Sept 2013)
“Osteoporosis and its Many Bones of Contention”, Northern Westchester Hospital (Apr 2013)
Thyroid Ultrasound Lecture Series, Mount Sinai Endocrinology Conference (Fall 2012)
“Vitamin D for the Primary Care Physician”, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Internal Medicine Grand Rounds (Sep 2011)
“Pancreatic Beta-Cell Dysfunction in PCOS Patients: The Role of Metformin”, Androgen Excess and AEPCOS society annual meeting (Sep 2011)
Endocrine expert panelist at SIO Healthcare Advisors Conference held by Clarus Acuity Group (Aug 2011)
“Vitamin D Deficiency: An Overview of Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention”, MKMG Lecture Series (Jul 2011)
“Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Thyroid”, MKMG Symposium (Jun 2011)
“Preventing Osteoporosis”, Auxiliary of Northern Westchester Hospital (Apr 2011)
“Understanding Osteoporosis”, NBC’s LX New York (Sep 2010)
“Understanding and Preventing Osteoporosis”, MKMG Lecture Series (Sep 2010)
“Understanding and Preventing Osteoporosis”, MKMG Health Talk on WGHQ 920, WBNR 1260 and WLNA 1420 (Aug 2010)
“Pancreatic Beta-Cell Dysfunction in PCOS: The Role of Metformin”, Endocrine Fellows’ Foundation Forum
(Jun 2010)
Medical Specialties
Adrenal adenomas (adrenal masses)
Amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea (absent or infrequent menstrual periods)
Breastfeeding (initiation and cessation)
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Cushing’s disease (elevated cortisol levels)
Gynecomastia (breast formation in males)
Hyperaldosteronism (elevated aldosterone levels)
Hypercalcemia/hypocalcemia (high and low calcium levels)
Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol levels)
Hyperparathyroidism (high parathyroid hormone levels)
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels)
Hyponatremia (low sodium levels)
Difficulty losing weight
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid nodules
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Gestational diabetes
Osteopenia (precursor to osteoporosis)
Osteoporosis
Pheochromocytoma (elevated adrenaline levels)
Pituitary adenomas (pituitary masses)
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Prolactinomas (elevated levels of the hormone that produces breast milk)
Gender-affirming hormone treatment
Patient Reviews
