Endo or Reproductive Endo

Selina G. Reyes · 06-02-2003, 02:02 PM

I really did not know where to post this so Christy please feel free to move this post to where ever you feel it belongs. My question is this we just got a new Endo in town but he is not a Reproductive Endo. Does it make a difference? The reason I am asking is that we don't have any Endos in this town, the closest one is 150 mi. away and I can't make the trip. I want to see someone else besides my gyn that would understand met and my body more that my gyn would.

Should I make an appt.?

Please advise.

Thanks

KYBluegrass · 06-02-2003, 03:37 PM

Any good endo worth his (or her) salt will be able to treat you for PCOS and all the fun that goes with it. The only advantage I see is that if you are already being treated by a repro. endo, they will be able to carry thru getting pg and any issues that may arise. Just cuts out having to be referred to another doc if an issue arises. If you're happy with this endo, you can get the help you need. I don't think it makes a world of difference, unless you have difficulty conceiving even after your regular endo's treatment plan doesn't yield the desired results. Pretty much, most endos are up on all the latest studies...and they can treat you just as well as an RE.

Kate721 · 06-04-2003, 06:29 PM

It's my opinion that any good endocrinologist is better than none. However, my personal experience with Endocrinologists has not be good mainly because I couldn't get in to see one.
I would call and relay my concerns and horrible family history of a long line of Diabetics on both sides of the family, hysterectomys, and breast cancer.
The answer I got was that the Endocrinologist would not see me unless I was refered by another Doctor. Even when I said that I wanted to be tested for Diabetes I was simply blown off.
When I went to the Internal med Doctor and asked to be tested, I got the standard fasting blood glucose test.
The numbers came back gloriously healthy.
Finally, I found a Reproductive Endocrinologist who gave me an appointment and immediately ordered a Glucose Tolerance Test.
It turned out that I have extremely bad hypoglycemia and I need to be on glucophage/metformin the same way a diabetic needs the medicine.
I also had the Cystic Ovary problem.
So while I personally believe that the Reproductive Endocrinologists understand our problems better, if you can't find one, then any Endocrinologist is better than none because these problems require a good understanding of the endocrine system as a whole.
Good luck with your Doctors.
Kate

BabyG · 06-04-2003, 07:41 PM

Just wanted to share my experience with you. Before seeing a RE, I spoke with an Endo & explained that I had not menstrated for several months, and asked to have a FSH & LH done, & he
said that was not needed unless I thought I was menopausal.
Of course when I saw the RE that is the first tests that were ordered & the diagnosis of PCOS was made. So, I guess it really depends on the physician. If you feel comfortable with an
endo, then go for it. What ever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.

Selina G. Reyes · 06-04-2003, 07:54 PM

Thanks, for all the info. I will make an appointment next week.

Selina