Skip to Main Content

Chienying Liu

MD

Endocrinologist
Travel lover who loves to solve medical challenges

Dr. Chienying Liu is an endocrinologist who cares for patients with thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules and other thyroid disorders. She also cares for patients with endocrine neoplasia (tumors of hormone producing glands, such as adrenal tumors, pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas, parathyroid tumors, and pituitary tumors).

Liu has research interests in thyroid cancer and adrenal disorders.

Liu earned her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Rochester. She completed her fellowship in diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism at UCSF.

Liu is a member of the Endocrine Society and American Thyroid Association. She enjoys teaching medical students, residents and fellows. She received the John Karam MD Clinician Educator Award in 2014.

In her free time, Liu enjoys active travel and believes that traveling and seeing the world make us better human beings.

  • Education

    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 1995

  • Residencies

    University of Rochester, Internal Medicine, 1998

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Endocrinology, 2002

  • Academic Title

    Professor

I believe in partnership with my patients and my medical team.

Where I see patients (3)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    411 Ratings
    About our process
    Dec 02, 2023
    It's so comforting to have a kind and thorough doctor when having uncertain medical issues!!!
    Nov 10, 2023
    Dr Liu has been my favorite doctor since I met her and I hope she can be my doctor for many more years. She always listens explains medical things in a way a normal person can understand is kind and patient. I am very grateful to be her patient.
    Nov 07, 2023
    Dr. Liu is the BEST! I only wish I could see her less frequently even though I realize that she can only bill for visits.
    Oct 21, 2023
    Excellent physician - thorough caring and knowledgeable.
    Oct 20, 2023
    Dr. Liu is an excellent physician; willing to go above and beyond in the care of her patients.
    Oct 08, 2023
    I love Dr. Liu!
    Oct 07, 2023
    Dr Liu is one of the best eg thorough caring focused and knowledgeable physicians I've ever had.
    Sep 02, 2023
    Blown away by Dr. Liu empathy, thoroughness, determination to figure out my case and time spent with me. She went truly over the top and I trust her expertise.
    Aug 29, 2023
    Excellent care and concern. The BEST
    Aug 11, 2023
    Great service..professional
    Aug 08, 2023
    The caretaker mostly discussed my lab results and not much else. I wasn't too sure about what the caretaker meant or if my lab results were bad.
    Jul 28, 2023
    She's awesome
    Jul 25, 2023
    Dr. Liu is simply the best!
    Jul 24, 2023
    Dr. Liu is an excellent physician - knowledgeable and compassionate.
    Jul 19, 2023
    Her competence and breadth of knowledge is equaled only by her skill kindness and compassion
    Jul 13, 2023
    I did not feel that my concern about taking medication was listened to. Also when I was told that my surgery would result in having less energy I was upset because I have had a course of treatment over the past year that took me from being extremely active to now having to make a huge effort to get things done think clearly drive safely. Doctor's comment was that being tired was okay for old people.
    Jul 09, 2023
    Dr Liu was excellent thoughtful and attentive
    Jul 07, 2023
    Very good communicator and was very responsive to my questions
    Jul 05, 2023
    Dr. Liu is simply the best! Treats me with the utmost respect communicates clearly. She reviews my labs within a few hours and replies with instructions. Also my after visit summary is available within an hr after my appt. She is AMAZING!
    Jul 02, 2023
    Dr Liu asked me to do another thyroid blood work since she missed ordering it. It's a special one that gets sent to USC. I told Dr Liu that the technicians are puzzled and never know what test to do. I went down to the lab and sure enough the tech did not understand the order. I had to go back up to office and wait to get it clarified. Received the lab result and I think it was still not what Dr Liu had ordered. I don't think it got sent to USC. The order needs to be more clear and straightforward to the technician. The order says "Tg to be done by R/A method at USC." Tg is abbreviated and the techs don't get it. The order needs to spell out "Thyroglobulin." It has happened 3 times already and when I explained to Dr Liu she did not believe me that I have trouble getting it each time. It makes me waste my time each time. The order needs to be written more clearly for the techs to understand what test to give me.
    Jun 21, 2023
    Dr. Liu was thoughtful thorough and patient. I appreciate that she took the time to review my extensive history prior to my visit and asked clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of my complex medical conditions. Her demeanor was kind and compassionate and she was able to accurately assess what my challenges were and soothe my fears about what I didn't need to concentrate on.
    Jun 16, 2023
    I feel rushed through my questions which I provide in written form to the doctor in advance of the appointment. I hope this is not because she has too many patients and feels pressured herself.
    Jun 14, 2023
    Dr. Liu is seriously the BEST dr I have encountered. Unfortunately cloning isn't an option bc I wish the rest of my drs would be as caring and wonderful!
    Jun 06, 2023
    MD instilled great confidence and expertise. I have the utmost respect for her.
    Jun 03, 2023
    I really appreciated this doctor and how she went over my lab results.
    May 23, 2023
    Dr. Liu is simply the best! She is my favorite provider.
    May 11, 2023
    Dr. Liu is kind and an excellent professional.
    May 05, 2023
    Dr Liu is amazing; knowledgeable helpful listens and communicates very well. I trust her completely and recommend her highly!
    May 03, 2023
    Dr. Liu is exceptional in every regard.
    Apr 29, 2023
    Already recommend a family member
    Apr 22, 2023
    Dr Chienying Liu is an very experienced a very good doctor thanks!
    Apr 12, 2023
    Dr. Liu is very thorough and pays attention to every detail. She is very kind and explains changes to my medication and supplements very well. Dr. Liu works with you for the best possible outcomes.
    Mar 26, 2023
    Excellent provider
    Mar 25, 2023
    I wish that I would have found Dr. LIU six/seven years ago my daughter who have received better care.
    Mar 14, 2023
    Dr. Liu is wonderful. She listens beautifully and truly cares about me. I'm grateful to have her excellent care!
    Mar 11, 2023
    I am so grateful for the care and kindness and expertise of Dr. Liu.
    Feb 25, 2023
    Dr Liu is a brilliant and compassionate Dr. Her expertise is second-to-none.
    Feb 04, 2023
    Dr Liu and her staff are terrific.
    Feb 01, 2023
    In the beginning I could feel the pressure to be on time that was imposed upon all the providers and that did not feel conducive to good care to me as a patient. I had had questions and wanted to prioritize understanding before making a decision and it seemed that the overall SYSTEM at UCSF didn't allow for much breathing room for the providers or patients with pressure to "perform" by way of efficient visits that fit into the time slots allocated. I want to give credit to this provider for stretching through to ultimately meet me where I was and truly listen and have the conversation/provide the perspective that I was looking for which in the end was very helpful. My hope is that the OVERALL practice at UCSF can also allow for more breathing room spaciousness and presence so that the optimal health care can truly be provided and it isn't just measured on "on-time" metrics as a maybe subtle but ever-present pressure.
    Jan 26, 2023
    An excellent MD!
    Jan 21, 2023
    Dr. Liu makes my life better and she is very logical thorough detail oriented very kind doctor. I am very grateful for her.
    Jan 14, 2023
    I have great confidence in my care team at UCSF.
    Jan 10, 2023
    Very happy with this doctor. The best.
    Dec 27, 2022
    After waiting months for an appointment and then being seen most of my knowledge about my condition still comes from the internet. The staff spent more time getting my history than explaining the facts about the kind of cancer I have. I have been asked repeatedly what questions I have without much time spent simply explaining my condition. They spent five minutes fiddling with the computer to request blood tests but never actually told me they were ordering blood tests or why or what they were looking to test. I was asked to provide my preference of surgical options without literally any significant discussion of the risks or alternatives - I had to ask the doctor to list the pros/cons of the alternatives she was asking me to select between. While everyone was polite it feels like I have been marched through a high-volume process and the amount of time spent educating me about my own health has been reduced to the absolute minimum. If I had the flu I'd get it. But I have cancer.
    Dec 21, 2022
    Good
    Dec 10, 2022
    Dr Liu was very professional and answered my questions.
    Dec 01, 2022
    She is a good communicator.
    Nov 22, 2022
    In the beginning she didn't agree with the Hyperparathyroidism issue . She didn't get the HTP blood test which was important. Only after the blood test she admitted that I have a Hyperparathyroidism issue. Her care was sub-standard. She just wanted me to take drugs and I told her in the beginning I don't like taking drugs!
    Nov 16, 2022
    Very lucky to be at UCSF
    Nov 11, 2022
    Dr. Liu combines the best personal and professional traits I like in a physician.She Is one of the best physicians I have had during my long life.
    Nov 11, 2022
    Excellent provider
    Oct 12, 2022
    She was incredible!
    Sep 30, 2022
    Dr Liu is wonderful.
    Sep 28, 2022
    Dr Liu is the absolute BEST!!
    Sep 17, 2022
    Nothing bad
    Sep 15, 2022
    Always treated with respect
    Sep 03, 2022
    Dr Liu was very professional but because she was late to the visit by fifty minutes the visit was rushed. Dr Liu was able to explain things and responded timely to my follow-up questions by MyChart timely
    Aug 25, 2022
    Doctor talked more about generalizations and what they see in others than about me. She was unclear about some things and seemed a little annoyed by my questions discussion about medications and lifelong effects were not had. She frightened me even though my prognosis is good.
    Aug 24, 2022
    Dr Liu is always professional while being very caring and thorough. She makes sure I understand all she presents
    Aug 18, 2022
    Dr Liu is the best doctor that I ever see in my life.
    Aug 17, 2022
    We were very impressed with the help received from Dr. Liu. She went out of her way and contacted me at 7:30 pm the day I emailed her concerns of my issue. During the appointment she took time to answer my questions and provide me excellent care. This type of service has not been provided at other hospitals.
    Aug 14, 2022
    Dr. Liu is my favorite doctor. She always takes time to listen and she is very good at explaining things or clarifying if I have questions or concerns.
    Aug 01, 2022
    Dr. Liu and her team are incredible!!! I am very grateful to be under her care!
    Aug 01, 2022
    Dr. Liu is always very good and listens to my thoughts and questions. Very happy with her skills and attention
    Jul 27, 2022
    Not bad
    Jul 26, 2022
    It's cool!!!!
    Jul 09, 2022
    Dr. Liu is very smart and thorough. Thank you!
    Jun 10, 2022
    I don't get a feeling that my doctor actually cares about my health and feelings.
    Jun 03, 2022
    Dr. Liu is very thorough knowledgeable all things thyroid cancer polite and caring!
    May 29, 2022
    Note Dr. Liu is not a 'warm and fuzzy' person. She is clear and to the point. Listens and responds. Shows empathy by asking about a visit with another doctor or following up on another condition she was made aware of. There was one item we discussed / she explained and I didn't fully catch what she said. It was about my TSH levels and for some reason I hesitated (didn't end up) asking her to repeat her comment.
    May 28, 2022
    Dr Liu is aways great
    Apr 13, 2022
    The doctor is like a family member care me with love and kindness. Very knowledgeable and professional. The best.
    Apr 09, 2022
    Have always had clear and complete information and reply's to my concerns.
    Apr 08, 2022
    Love Dr. Liu
    Apr 07, 2022
    Dr Liu seemed very happy to see me and how well I am doing
    Mar 26, 2022
    I don't believe this office has the bandwidth to accept any additional patients and for this reason alone I would not recommend anyone to this Clinic.
    Mar 23, 2022
    One of the best I've seen. Listened carefully to all my concerns answered all questions completely and explained test results clearly and thoroughly. Unnecessary but apologized profusely about long wait time. This doctor is a star in every way.
    Mar 07, 2022
    I AM SO PLESED WITH THE CARE AND CONCERN FOR MY HEALTH THAT MY DOCTOR ALWAYS PROVIDES. I CONSIDER MYSELF BLESSED TO HAVE HER TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF ME. SHE ALWAYS TAKES TIME TO DISCUSS MY CARE AND MEDICATIONS WITH MY SONS AND THAT IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME.
    Mar 04, 2022
    She showed genuine care and concerns for me

    Share