Should I be upset? I have been seeing the same endo for about a year now. I have had my doubts about her for a while, but she is conveniently located and I have made progress on met and lost some weight. I went into her office last week - she did blood tests. Here is what I am concerned about.
1. I had a drop in in LDL and a raise in HDL. But my total cholesterol was only 108. So she says I should stop taking met b/c of this. This makes no sense to me, because it has only dropped 5 points and the good stuff went up. She sent me the labs and I see immediately that my test in May and this test were done by 2 different facilities, who use two diff measures. So for the firsty lab company, my number now would be fine. And the second company, I would have been low in May. (And yes I checked they were the same measure mg/dL). Why did she miss this. Not to mention over the phone she told me my total was 66, which it clearly is not.
2. And this where I really need your opinion. I recieved the labs and discovered. She has not been measuring any hormones, no testosterone, no androgen, no FSH, no LH - NOTHING. The May test measured my blood levels and the recent test measured cholesterol and minerals in my blood. Is this normal? Or do your doctors monitor these hormones. I've never seen what these levels actually are, and I am beginning to resent both the gyne and the endo for this. Don't tell me it's normal, tell me the numbers. Am I wrong?
If you're pursuing a course of treatment with this particular endo, then IMO, she should be keeping track of your hormone levels. I don't know how you were dx'ed but obviously she should know (and let you know) how high the numbers might be and where they are with your current form of treatment, especially if it's been a year already.
Your first question sounds like a typical doctor slip up to me - but definitely another factor you should consider if you start shopping around for a new doctor.
I think you should try bringing your concerns to her attention first. Then if she doesn't address them with the proper importance, look for a new doctor.
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IMO, you need a new doctor---if for no other reason, than you have to second-guess what she says and do your own research. Now, I'm all for reading up on things and better educating yourself...but when you find out your doctor doesn't pay attention to lab results and overlooks the obvious, it's time to find a better one. It's your health--your time, your money, your suffering. You deserve a doctor who will steer you down the right path. Not one who you have to "clean up behind" to find the truth or the answers that make sense.
Why were you put on Met and what were the reasons for the PCOS dx, (if you were indeed dx'ed?) Also, are you TTC?
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I was diagnosed with PCOS, but I am not sure how. I have the insulin resistance and the absent periods, and the weight gain and teh hirsatism. She did do the hormonal tests at my first visit a year ago. I have never seen the results and all she said was my testosterone was normal. Other than that, we haven not discussed hormones. I am not trying to concieve at this time. I just want to lose weight, balance my hormones and not be crazy.
When I went for my initial tests last year my insulin was so high it was almost diabetic. Now its normal and she wants to take me off the met, with no alternatives offered. She is very flip. Well, just stop taking it for 2 months and we'll see. But what I am hearing is, well you are making progress on something you been struggling with for so long, but lets stop what is working and go back to nothing, but BCP, which is what you have done on your own for the last 10 years.....BOOOOOOOOO.
I would ask your doctor:
What was the criteria used to conclude PCOS? She should be able to give you a detailed explanation. Make sure you can repeat it back to her.
I would then ask:
What is the 'picture' of my situation now. She should be able to clearly say, "these labs are good, these are concerning, x is an issue, x isn't."
Then I would say:
These are my current and immediate health concerns (xyz), combined with your concerns, what do you propose as a course of treatment?
Then I would say:
Are you worried about any long term consequences of my current health picture?
Those are simple questions and VALID questions. If you can't get answers...move on to a new doctor.
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I am definitely going to take the advice. I am sure you all know, this is frustrating. I was so happy to get a diagnosis after not knowing for so long. However, I definitely need some direction through the process. I really do not think she can do it. It's a great hospital, Northwestern Memorial in Chicago. But I am taking your advice ---to a new doc. I am moving to U of Chicago to see the Dr there who heads up their PCOS research program/clinic. I was lucky to get in. Wish me luck!