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Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D.

Accepting New Patients

(54 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Endocrinology

University of Washington School of Medicine (2002)

Professional interests include: type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes), thyroid problems

3800 Park Nicollet Boulevard Park Nicollet Specialty Center St. Louis Park 3800 Building
Saint Louis Park, MN 55416

(952) 993-3708

Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. is an endocrinologist in Saint Louis Park, MN specializing in adult endocrinology. She graduated from University of Washington School of Medicine in 2002 and has 23 years of experience. Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. is affiliated with Park Nicollet Clinic.

Office Locations

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Address:

3800 Park Nicollet Boulevard Park Nicollet Specialty Center St. Louis Park 3800 Building
Saint Louis Park, MN 55416

Unable to locate address.

Address:

3850 Park Nicollet Boulevard
Saint Louis Park, MN 55416

Some issues Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. can help you with:

Thyroid Problems

Thyroid problems are a group of conditions that alter hormone regulation and metabolism. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower neck, just below the Adam's apple (laryngeal prominence) and larynx (voice box). Despite its small size, the thyroid has an outsized effect on the body by regulating hormones that control metabolism. Metabolism is the body's process of converting consumed food into fuel to power the entire body. Heart rate, weight, cholesterol, body temperature, and even physical growth and development are all affected by the metabolism.

When the thyroid malfunctions, the body is unable to properly process and allocate energy. Thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cause irregular metabolism. In some cases, the body produces antibodies that attack the thyroid cells for unknown reasons. The damaged thyroid responds by releasing either too little or too much T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. Thyroid malfunctions may also arise from genetic causes or iodine deficiency. Thyroid problems may include:

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that causes hypothyroidism
Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease that causes hyperthyroidism
Goiter
Thyroid nodule
Thyroid cancer

Hashimoto's is the leading cause of hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones to stimulate adequate metabolism. The condition is diagnosed by blood tests that measure TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and detect Hashimoto's antibodies. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include sluggish metabolism, inflammation, fatigue, weight gain, brittle hair, dry skin, and sensitivity to cold. To supplement impaired thyroid function, patients with Hashimoto's are typically prescribed synthetic thyroid hormone pills. Such patients may need to consume synthetic thyroids for the rest of their lives. Other treatments may include dietary changes, such as the avoidance of certain foods and medication to reduce inflammation. Frequent blood tests can inform patients if their TSH levels are within a normal range.

Grave's disease is most frequently the cause of hyperthyroidism, which is when the thyroid produces too many hormones, overstimulating one's metabolism. The condition is also diagnosed by blood tests that measure TSH and detect Grave's antibodies. Elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, sweating, bulging eyes, and weight loss are common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Treatments for hyperthyroidism include oral radioactive iodine, which slowly shrinks the thyroid, slowing the production of excess thyroid hormone. Other anti-thyroid medications such as methimazole (Tapazole) also reduce the production of thyroid hormones. Blood pressure medications known as beta blockers can ease the increased heart rate caused by hyperthyroidism. If treatments are unsuccessful, patients may be prescribed a thyroidectomy, or surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid. Some patients with hyperthyroidism may require ophthalmological (eye medicine) treatments such as eye drops, prednisone, and surgery to reduce eye swelling and bulging.

Untreated thyroid disorders frequently lead to goiters or thyroid nodules. A thyroid goiter is a large lump that can be felt near the base of the neck and is made of swollen thyroid tissue or nodules (excess cell growth). Nodules and goiters are diagnosed by CT scan or ultrasound. Obstructive goiters can cause pain, coughing, and abnormal breathing. The most common cause of goiters is hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). However, Hashimoto's is also known to cause goiters or nodules. Goiters develop from continued damage from antibodies to the thyroid over time. At times, a goiter can result from a cancerous thyroid tumor. Most goiters and nodules are themselves benign.

The exact causes of thyroid cancer are unknown. People who develop thyroid cancer may or may not have another thyroid problem such as Hashimoto's or Grave's disease. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include a nodule that can be felt on the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, swelling in the neck, and neck and throat pain. CT and MRI scans are used to diagnose thyroid cancer. There are four types of thyroid cancer which vary in intensity. Thyroidectomy (thyroid removal surgery) is usually prescribed to treat thyroid cancer.

Thyroid problems are often long-term conditions that require some form of treatment. With regular monitoring and medication, many people with thyroid problems are able to lead active and fulfilling lives.

In The News

“That diabetes ranks among the major causes of heart disease often surprises newly diagnosed patients, said Dr. Molly Carlson, an endocrinologist who has served in the American Diabetes...”—"Heart disease among younger women troubling, preventable", The Spokesman-Review, October 2013

blood draw	236
diabetes management	179
doctor visit	430
lab tests	584
musculoskeletal imaging	74
preventive care	221
thyroid function tests	211
X-rays	74

**Gender**
Male	94
Female	197

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	246
Black	11
Hispanic	0
Asian	18
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	171
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	20
Less than 65	30

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	58
Dementia	0
Cancer	7

blood draw	285
diabetes management	221
doctor visit	446
lab tests	764
musculoskeletal imaging	97
preventive care	296
thyroid function tests	264
X-rays	97

**Gender**
Male	84
Female	221

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	266
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	183
From 75 to 84	77
85 and over	22
Less than 65	23

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	51
Dementia	5
Cancer	12

blood draw	270
diabetes management	219
doctor visit	443
lab tests	743
musculoskeletal imaging	86
preventive care	302
thyroid function tests	252
X-rays	86

**Gender**
Male	144
Female	396

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	452
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	32
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	350
From 75 to 84	116
85 and over	38
Less than 65	36

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	20
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	54
Dementia	5
Cancer	9

blood draw	136
diabetes management	113
doctor visit	230
lab tests	383
musculoskeletal imaging	39
preventive care	146
thyroid function tests	133
X-rays	39

**Gender**
Male	63
Female	132

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	165
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	14
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	124
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	64
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

doctor visit	161

**Gender**
Male	46
Female	54

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	72
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	51
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	29

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	69
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	75
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

doctor visit	134

**Gender**
Male	42
Female	51

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	66
Black	0
Hispanic	12
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	44
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	24

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	74
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	75
Dementia	0
Cancer	12

blood draw	31
diabetes management	37
doctor visit	89
lab tests	25
preventive care	36

**Gender**
Male	23
Female	72

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	78
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	36
From 75 to 84	17
85 and over	12
Less than 65	30

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	52
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	57
Dementia	14
Cancer	15

blood draw	33
diabetes management	25
doctor visit	76
lab tests	13
preventive care	24

**Gender**
Male	21
Female	77

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	84
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	48
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	29

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	60
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

blood draw	65
diabetes management	74
doctor visit	170
lab tests	62
preventive care	73

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. treated as an endocrinologist in Saint Louis Park, MN were lab tests, thyroid function tests, preventive care and blood draw.

blood draw	150
diabetes management	124
doctor visit	244
lab tests	374
musculoskeletal imaging	74
preventive care	157
thyroid function tests	216
X-rays	74

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D..

**Gender**
Female	120
Male	51

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	1
Asian / Pacific Islander	5
Non-Hispanic White	142
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	1
Other	2

**Age**
85 and over	9
75 to 84	32
Less than 65	20
65 to 74	100

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. treated were hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	51
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	2
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	2
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	1
Diabetes	49
Atrial Fibrillation	2
Cancer	7
Dementia	2

Education & Training

Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. graduated from University of Washington School of Medicine in 2002. She completed residency at University of Michigan Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine-Endocrin, Diabetes&Metabolism and has a state license in Minnesota.

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine (2002)

Residency: University of Michigan Affiliated Hospitals (2005)

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine-Endocrin, Diabetes&Metabolism

Licensed In: Minnesota

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Park Nicollet Clinic

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.64 out of 5 stars based on 54 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D. from all over the web to help you find the right in Saint Louis Park, MN.

4.64

Overall Rating

(54 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Molly Jo Carlson, M.D.. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.	$1,350 t-slim insulin pump $1,350
Covidien LP	$160 Ablation $160
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC	$65 SOLIQUA $65
Abbott Laboratories	$47 Diabetes Care $47
Pfizer Inc.	$12 SOMAVERT $12
Other	$11 OneTouch Verio Reflect $11

**Types of Payments**
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$1,415
Food and Beverage	$171
Education	$58

Biography

Dr. Molly Carlson practices adult endocrinology in Saint Louis Park, MN. Her areas of expertise include thyroid problems, type 2 diabetes, and type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes). She is affiliated with Park Nicollet Clinic. Dr. Carlson obtained her medical school training at the University of Washington School of Medicine and performed her residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Michigan. She has received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating by her patients. Dr. Carlson has an open panel in according to HealthPartners.