Diagnostic & Preventative
At The Roxbury Institute, our Center for Diagnostic and Preventative Medicine was built for patients who have spent years searching for answers. Led by internationally recognized endocrinologist Dr. Karen L. Herbst, our Tucson center is where complex, chronically misunderstood conditions finally meet the depth of expertise they deserve. Your journey toward clarity, accurate diagnosis, and lasting health starts here.
Our Approach
to Diagnostic & Preventative Care
We believe that the right diagnosis changes everything. For patients living with lipedema, Dercum's disease, or other diseases of adipose and connective tissue, the path forward begins with being truly seen and genuinely heard. Our approach goes far beyond symptom management.
We investigate the metabolic, hormonal, immunological, and genetic factors that shape each patient's experience, then build a care strategy around that full picture. No two patients are alike, and no two treatment plans should be either.
Conditions & Services
Our center brings together advanced diagnostics, research-informed protocols, and individualized preventative care for a range of complex fat and connective tissue disorders.
Conditions We Treat
Lipedema
Dercum's Disease
Familial Multiple Lipomatosis
Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
Lipolymphedema
Other diseases of adipose connective tissue
Diagnostic Services
Expert clinical evaluation and staging
Metabolic and hormonal assessment
Immune system and inflammatory marker analysis
Genetic evaluation for connective tissue disorders
ICD-10-coded diagnosis for lipedema and Dercum's disease
Preventative & Therapeutic Services
CVAC Hypobaric Treatment
Mediator Release Testing (MRT) for food sensitivities and inflammation
Individualized nutrition and inflammation management protocols
Disease progression monitoring and prevention planning
Research & Clinical Programs
Active clinical trials and research studies
Access to novel therapies and clinical breakthroughs
Collaboration with Dr. David Amron and the ALT surgical team
Participation in national and international lipedema research
Why Choose TRI
for Diagnostic & Preventative Care
Our commitment to excellence sets us apart in every aspect of surgical care.
Meet Our Diagnostic & Preventative Team
Karen L. Herbst, MD, PhD
Dr. Karen L. Herbst, a prominent board-certified endocrinologist, serves as the Head of Research and Director of Diagnostic and Preventative Medicine at The Roxbury Institute in Tucson, Arizona, home to the Advanced Lipedema Treatment (ALT) program.
Karen L. Herbst, MD, PhD
Dr. Karen L. Herbst, a prominent board-certified endocrinologist, serves as the Head of Research and Director of Diagnostic and Preventative Medicine at The Roxbury Institute in Tucson, Arizona, home to the Advanced Lipedema Treatment (ALT) program.
Michele Blecher, MS NP
Michele Blecher is a highly skilled Nurse Practitioner specializing in specializing in Lipedema diagnosis, Lipedema conesvative treatment plans, and pre and post surgical care at The Roxbury Institute in Los Angeles, CA. With over two decades of clinical experience across multiple specialties, she brings a comprehensive understanding of patient care, surgical protocols, and medical management to her practice.
Michele Blecher, MS NP
Michele Blecher is a highly skilled Nurse Practitioner specializing in specializing in Lipedema diagnosis, Lipedema conesvative treatment plans, and pre and post surgical care at The Roxbury Institute in Los Angeles, CA. With over two decades of clinical experience across multiple specialties, she brings a comprehensive understanding of patient care, surgical protocols, and medical management to her practice.
Looking to Schedule a Consultation?
If you have been living with unexplained symptoms, a difficult-to-diagnose condition, or a fat disorder that has not received the attention it deserves, we are ready to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Herbst and our team in Tucson to take your first step toward real answers.
