Research, Publications & Scientific Work
More Than Two Decades of Clinical Research in Endocrinology & Metabolic Medicine
Dr. Naila Goldenberg’s medical career combines clinical endocrinology with more than two decades of scientific research, academic collaboration and medical education.
Her scientific work has explored the complex relationships between hormones, metabolism, reproductive health, insulin resistance, lipid disorders, thrombophilia, growth hormone physiology and adrenal insufficiency.
Beginning with her research collaboration with Dr. Charles Glueck at the Cholesterol Center in Cincinnati and continuing through her current work at Functional Endocrinology, Dr. Goldenberg has contributed to peer-reviewed publications, clinical research, scientific abstracts, posters and national endocrine meetings.
Major Research Areas
PCOS / PMOS, Insulin Resistance & Women’s Metabolic Health
One of Dr. Goldenberg’s longest-standing areas of research is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, historically known as PCOS and now approached within our practice as a broader polyendocrine and metabolic condition.
Her research with Dr. Charles Glueck examined the relationship between PCOS, insulin resistance, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk, fertility, pregnancy outcomes and the development of Type 2 diabetes.
Her work also investigated the role of metformin and dietary intervention before pregnancy and during pregnancy.
Diabetes, Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Medicine
Dr. Goldenberg’s research has examined insulin resistance across different stages of metabolic disease.
Her work has included metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes risk, gestational diabetes, glucose metabolism, exercise, obesity and the relationship between insulin resistance and lipid metabolism.
This research background continues to influence the comprehensive metabolic approach used at Functional Endocrinology today.
Advanced Lipidology & Cardiovascular Metabolism
Lipidology represents another major part of Dr. Goldenberg’s scientific and clinical background.
Her research has included severe hypertriglyceridemia, familial lipid disorders, statin therapy, statin intolerance, vitamin D and statin-associated muscle symptoms, cardiovascular risk and PCSK9 inhibitor therapy.
Her years of research and clinical work at the Cholesterol Center in Cincinnati contributed substantially to the development of this expertise.
Thrombophilia, Hormones & Thromboembolic Risk
Dr. Goldenberg has participated in extensive research examining abnormal clotting and inherited thrombophilia.
Research topics have included recurrent pregnancy loss, PCOS, vascular disorders, hormone exposure and thrombotic complications.
Later research investigated interactions between testosterone therapy, underlying thrombophilia and thromboembolic events.
Growth Hormone & Pituitary Research
During her research period at the University of Michigan, Dr. Goldenberg studied growth hormone physiology and human metabolism.
Her research examined growth hormone secretion, fasting metabolism, lipolysis, insulin sensitivity and pituitary disease.
She also served as first author on research describing the treatment of pituitary gigantism with the growth hormone receptor antagonist pegvisomant.
Adrenal Insufficiency & Cortisol Replacement Research
Adrenal insufficiency has become an important focus of Dr. Goldenberg’s more recent clinical research at Functional Endocrinology.
Her current work includes individualized cortisol replacement and cortisol pump therapy in patients whose adrenal insufficiency can be difficult to manage with conventional treatment.
Recent scientific presentations have addressed cortisol pump therapy, early-stage Addison disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Featured Scientific Work
2002 — PCOS, Metformin & Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treated with Metformin
Human Reproduction
This early study examined pregnancy outcomes among women with PCOS treated with metformin and became part of a larger body of research exploring the relationship between PCOS, insulin resistance, fertility and pregnancy.
VIEW ON PUBMED2003 — Metabolic Syndrome in PCOS
Incidence and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome in Newly Referred Women with Confirmed Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Metabolism
This research examined the metabolic component of PCOS, including the relationship between the syndrome and insulin resistance, weight and cardiovascular risk.
VIEW ON PUBMED2003 — Severe Hypertriglyceridemia
An Observational Study of Severe Hypertriglyceridemia, Hypertriglyceridemic Acute Pancreatitis, and Failure of Triglyceride-Lowering Therapy When Estrogens Are Given to Women With and Without Familial Hypertriglyceridemia
Dr. Goldenberg served as first author of this study examining severe triglyceride disorders and the potential metabolic effects of estrogen exposure.
VIEW ON PUBMED2005 — Metformin, Diet & Insulin Resistance
Metformin-Diet Benefits in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the Bottom and Top Quintiles for Insulin Resistance
Metabolism
Dr. Goldenberg served as first author. The study evaluated metabolic and menstrual responses to metformin and dietary intervention in women with different levels of insulin resistance.
VIEW ON PUBMED2007 — Growth Hormone Physiology
Factors Regulating Growth Hormone Secretion in Humans
Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America
Dr. Goldenberg and Dr. Ariel Barkan reviewed the physiology and regulation of pulsatile human growth hormone secretion.
Dr. Goldenberg served as first author.
VIEW ON PUBMED2008 — Pituitary Gigantism
Treatment of Pituitary Gigantism with the Growth Hormone Receptor Antagonist Pegvisomant
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Dr. Goldenberg served as first author in this report describing treatment of pituitary gigantism with the growth hormone receptor antagonist pegvisomant.
VIEW ON PUBMED2009 — Statins & Cardiovascular Risk
Efficacy, Effectiveness and Real Life Goal Attainment of Statins in Managing Cardiovascular Risk
Vascular Health and Risk Management
Dr. Goldenberg served as first author of this review addressing the real-world effectiveness of statin therapy in cardiovascular risk management.
VIEW ON PUBMED2009 — Vitamin D & Statin-Associated Muscle Symptoms
Low Serum 25(OH) Vitamin D Levels Are Associated with Reversible Myositis-Myalgia in Statin-Treated Patients
Translational Research
This work investigated the relationship between low vitamin D levels and muscle symptoms in patients receiving statin therapy.
VIEW ON PUBMED2010 — Exercise, Insulin Sensitivity & Lipid Metabolism
Energy Deficit After Exercise Augments Lipid Mobilization but Does Not Contribute to the Exercise-Induced Increase in Insulin Sensitivity
Journal of Applied Physiology
This University of Michigan research examined how post-exercise energy and carbohydrate balance influence insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism.
VIEW ON PUBMED2011 — Testosterone & Thrombophilia
Thrombotic Events After Starting Exogenous Testosterone in Men with Previously Undiagnosed Familial Thrombophilia
Translational Research
This work examined thrombotic events following testosterone therapy in men subsequently identified as having underlying thrombophilic abnormalities.
VIEW ON PUBMED2011 — Vitamin D & Statin Intolerance
Vitamin D Deficiency, Myositis-Myalgia, and Reversible Statin Intolerance
Current Medical Research and Opinion
This study further investigated vitamin D deficiency in patients experiencing statin-associated muscle symptoms.
VIEW ON PUBMED2013 — PCOS, Metformin & Pregnancy Outcomes
Effects of Metformin-Diet Intervention Before and Throughout Pregnancy on Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Current Medical Research and Opinion
This study evaluated metformin and dietary intervention beginning before conception and continuing throughout pregnancy in women with PCOS.
VIEW ON PUBMED2014 — Testosterone, Thrombophilia & Thrombosis
Testosterone, Thrombophilia, and Thrombosis
Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis
This publication further examined the potential interaction between testosterone therapy and underlying thrombophilic risk.
VIEW ON PUBMED2016 — PCSK9 Inhibitors & Advanced Cholesterol Management
Eligibility for PCSK9 Treatment in 734 Hypercholesterolemic Patients Referred to a Regional Cholesterol Treatment Center
Lipids in Health and Disease
This study examined eligibility for PCSK9 inhibitor treatment among patients with persistent elevated LDL cholesterol despite maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy.
VIEW ON PUBMED2016 — Pharmacoeconomics of PCSK9 Therapy
Pharmacoeconomics of PCSK9 Inhibitors in 103 Hypercholesterolemic Patients Referred for Diagnosis and Treatment to a Cholesterol Treatment Center
Lipids in Health and Disease
This work examined the economic and clinical considerations associated with PCSK9 inhibitor treatment in patients with difficult-to-manage hypercholesterolemia.
VIEW ON PUBMED2017 — PCSK9 Inhibitors: Real-World Efficacy & Safety
Efficacy and Safety of PCSK9 Inhibitors, Alirocumab and Evolocumab, a Post-Commercialization Study
Lipids in Health and Disease
This study evaluated real-world experience with alirocumab and evolocumab following their introduction into clinical practice.
VIEW ON PUBMED2017 — Advanced PCSK9 Eligibility Research
Eligibility for Alirocumab or Evolocumab Treatment in 1,090 Hypercholesterolemic Patients Referred to a Regional Cholesterol Treatment Center
Vascular Health and Risk Management
This larger cohort study evaluated PCSK9 inhibitor eligibility among patients who continued to have elevated LDL cholesterol despite maximally tolerated treatment.
VIEW ON PUBMED2018 — Testosterone & Thromboembolism
Thromboembolism Peaking 3 Months After Starting Testosterone Therapy: Testosterone-Thrombophilia Interactions
Journal of Investigative Medicine
This research further explored the temporal relationship between initiation of testosterone therapy and thrombotic events in patients with underlying thrombophilia.
VIEW ON PUBMED2018 — Testosterone Therapy, Thrombophilia & Thrombotic Events
Testosterone Therapy, Thrombophilia, Venous Thromboembolism, and Thrombotic Events
Journal of Clinical Medicine
This review brought together research examining the relationship between testosterone therapy, thrombophilia and venous thromboembolic events.
VIEW ON PUBMED2019 — PCOS, Obesity & Metabolic Health
Characteristics of Obesity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Etiology, Treatment, and Genetics
Metabolism
Co-authored by Dr. Charles Glueck and Dr. Naila Goldenberg, this major review examined obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, genetics and treatment considerations in PCOS.
VIEW ON PUBMED2022 — Growth Hormone & Lipolysis
Role of Pulsatile Growth Hormone Secretion in the Regulation of Lipolysis in Fasting Humans
Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology
This research examined how the pulsatile pattern of growth hormone secretion contributes to the regulation of fat mobilization during prolonged fasting.
Dr. Goldenberg is listed as first author.
VIEW ON PUBMEDCurrent Research at Functional Endocrinology
2025 — Cortisol Pump Therapy in Adrenal Insufficiency
SAT-422 — Retrospective Analysis of 27 Adrenal Insufficiency Patients Managed with Cortisol Pump
Presented as part of ENDO 2025, this retrospective analysis reviewed 27 patients with difficult-to-control adrenal insufficiency who were managed with cortisol pump therapy at Functional Endocrinology.
The cohort included patients with primary, secondary and tertiary adrenal insufficiency and represented several years of clinical experience with individualized pump-based cortisol replacement.
Authors:
Naila M. Goldenberg, MD
Melissa Bornovali, MA
Michael Spivak, APRN
2025 — Pediatric Cortisol Pump Case
SAT-423 — Case of Adrenal Insufficiency in an 11-Year-Old Male on Cortisol Pump
This ENDO 2025 case presentation described the management of a pediatric patient with complex adrenal insufficiency using cortisol pump therapy.
Authors:
Naila M. Goldenberg, MD
Melissa Bornovali
2026 — Stage 1 Addison Disease
SAT-432 — Stage 1 Addison Disease
At ENDO 2026, Dr. Goldenberg presented work addressing early-stage Addison disease.
For this presentation, she is listed by the Endocrine Society as submitting author, abstract poster presenter and senior author / primary investigator.
VIEW ENDO 2026 PRESENTATION2026 — Crinecerfont & Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
SAT-456 — Use of Crinecerfont in Non-Classical 3 Beta CAH, Case Report
At ENDO 2026, Dr. Goldenberg presented a case involving use of crinecerfont in a patient with non-classical 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Dr. Goldenberg is listed as submitting author, poster presenter and senior author / primary investigator.
VIEW ENDO 2026 PRESENTATIONScientific & Academic Journey
2000
Internal Medicine Residency
Dr. Goldenberg was completing her Internal Medicine residency training at The Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she trained from 1999 through 2002.
2001
Internal Medicine Training
Dr. Goldenberg continued her residency at The Jewish Hospital, developing the foundation for her later specialization in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolic medicine.
2002
Beginning of a Major Research Collaboration
After completing Internal Medicine residency, Dr. Goldenberg began working with renowned researcher Dr. Charles Glueck at the Cholesterol Center in Cincinnati.
Their collaboration would lead to numerous scientific publications and presentations across PCOS, metabolism, lipidology and thrombophilia.
The same year, one of their early PCOS and metformin studies was published in Human Reproduction.
VIEW 2002 PUBLICATION2004
University of Michigan
Dr. Goldenberg entered her Clinical and Research Endocrinology and Metabolism training period at the University of Michigan.
Her research continued in PCOS and metabolic medicine while expanding into endocrine physiology.
2005
Insulin Resistance & PCOS
Research during this period included the metabolic response of women with PCOS to metformin and dietary intervention.
VIEW 2005 PUBLICATION2006
Endocrinology & Metabolism Research
During the later phase of her University of Michigan training, Dr. Goldenberg’s scientific work increasingly included growth hormone physiology and human metabolism.
2007
Growth Hormone Research & Return to Ohio
Dr. Goldenberg completed her advanced endocrinology research training at the University of Michigan and returned to Ohio.
She subsequently worked at the Cholesterol Center while holding an academic position at the University of Cincinnati.
Her review on regulation of human growth hormone secretion was published this year.
VIEW PUBLICATION2008
Pituitary, Metabolism & PCOS Research
Her research included pituitary gigantism, growth hormone physiology and the metabolic consequences of PCOS.
VIEW PITUITARY RESEARCH2008
Pituitary, Metabolism & PCOS Research
Her research included pituitary gigantism, growth hormone physiology and the metabolic consequences of PCOS.
VIEW PITUITARY RESEARCH2009
Advanced Lipidology & Cardiovascular Risk
Dr. Goldenberg continued extensive research involving cholesterol management, statin therapy, vitamin D, PCOS and cardiovascular risk.
VIEW STATIN PUBLICATION2010
Human Metabolism & Exercise
Collaborative University of Michigan research examined insulin sensitivity, exercise, energy balance and lipid mobilization.
VIEW PUBLICATION2011
Thrombophilia, Testosterone & Lipid Medicine
Research during this period included statin intolerance, vitamin D and emerging work examining testosterone-associated thrombosis in patients with underlying thrombophilia.
VIEW TESTOSTERONE STUDY2012
Transition to Mercy Endocrinology
Dr. Goldenberg transitioned to Mercy Endocrinology Clinic while continuing her clinical focus on diabetes, lipid disorders and complex endocrine disease.
2013
PCOS & Pregnancy Research
Research continued into metformin therapy and pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS.
VIEW PUBLICATION2014
Hormonal Therapy & Thrombotic Risk
Scientific work continued to investigate the relationship between testosterone treatment, thrombophilia and thrombosis.
VIEW PUBLICATION2015
Complex Metabolic Medicine
Clinical and scientific interests continued to include diabetes, metabolic abnormalities, lipid disorders and complex endocrine conditions.
2016
PCSK9 Research
A major new body of lipid research focused on PCSK9 inhibitors, eligibility for treatment and the clinical and economic implications of these newer cholesterol-lowering therapies.
VIEW PCSK9 RESEARCH2017
Functional Endocrinology
Dr. Goldenberg founded Functional Endocrinology in Mason, Ohio, with an early clinical focus that included cholesterol and diabetes.
Research into PCSK9 inhibitors and advanced cholesterol management continued.
VIEW PCSK9 PUBLICATION2018
Hormones, Thrombophilia & PCOS
Research continued into testosterone-associated thrombosis.
During the same period, Dr. Goldenberg and Dr. Glueck completed a major review examining obesity, metabolism, treatment and genetics in PCOS.
VIEW TESTOSTERONE RESEARCH2019
Major PCOS Review
Characteristics of Obesity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Etiology, Treatment, and Genetics was published in Metabolism.
The review brought together research examining PCOS as a complex reproductive and metabolic condition.
VIEW PUBLICATION2020
Development of Advanced Adrenal Care
Clinical experience at Functional Endocrinology increasingly included complex adrenal insufficiency.
The later ENDO 2025 cortisol pump analysis confirms that some patients in the practice’s cortisol pump cohort had begun therapy before May 2020.
2021
Complex Endocrine Care
Functional Endocrinology continued developing individualized approaches for patients with complex hormonal and metabolic disorders.
2022
Growth Hormone Research Returns to Publication
Research originating from the University of Michigan examining pulsatile growth hormone secretion and fasting lipolysis was published in Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology.
VIEW PUBLICATION2023
Expansion of Cortisol Pump Experience
Additional patients with difficult-to-control adrenal insufficiency entered the Functional Endocrinology cortisol pump cohort that would later be analyzed for ENDO 2025.
2024
Building the Adrenal Research Cohort
The cortisol pump program continued to expand. The subsequent retrospective analysis reported patients beginning pump therapy during 2024 in addition to earlier cohorts.
2026
ENDO 2026 — Early Addison Disease & CAH
Dr. Goldenberg presented Stage 1 Addison Disease at ENDO 2026 and was identified as submitting author, poster presenter and senior author / primary investigator.
She also presented a case involving the use of crinecerfont in non-classical 3-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
VIEW STAGE 1 ADDISON DISEASE VIEW CRINECERFONT CASE2025
ENDO 2025 — Adrenal Insufficiency & Cortisol Pump Research
Functional Endocrinology presented a retrospective analysis of 27 patients with difficult-to-control adrenal insufficiency managed with cortisol pump therapy.
The team also presented a pediatric case involving cortisol pump treatment in an 11-year-old patient.
VIEW 27-PATIENT STUDY VIEW PEDIATRIC CASEFrom Research to Patient Care
Scientific research has remained closely connected to Dr. Goldenberg’s clinical practice throughout her career.
Her work in PCOS helped contribute to a broader understanding of the condition as both reproductive and metabolic.
Her experience in lipidology supports the evaluation of complex cholesterol and inherited lipid disorders.
Her research in growth hormone physiology strengthened her background in pituitary and metabolic endocrinology.
Today, her work involving adrenal insufficiency and cortisol pump therapy continues the same
approach: combining clinical observation, scientific evidence and individualized endocrine care.
Explore the Scientific Record
Dr. Goldenberg’s scientific work spans reproductive endocrinology, metabolic medicine, lipidology, thrombophilia, growth hormone physiology, pituitary disease and adrenal disorders.
Historical publications retain the terminology used at the time of publication, including Polycystic Ovary Syndrome — PCOS.
EXPLORE DR. GOLDENBERG’S RESEARCH ON PUBMED