Annual Physicals: New doctor not as thorough, what's normal?

I get what you mean. Mine does do pretty good though. Just in case, I take my list of things I want and when the nurse does the intake and ask reason for visit I read my list of what I want, including labs that I think are important.

That is a good start for a visit.
Let the doctor know what you want. The physical exam has gone
the way of the black bag. Partly due to less training, “simulator
patients” for med school experience and improved diagnostic technology.
You need to know your age appropriate screenings and get to know the office staff.
Who covers to reach in an urgent situation and after hours.?
Most doctors are now employed within a system and under pressures to produce. Practices ask about your visit exits.
Consider primary care doctors are
not well paid compared to other
professions. They are forced to move around and we don’t always develop physician patient relationships. They often have large education debts and face a high burnout rate. We have a shortage and Medicare is squeezing the dollars and procedures are limited by bureaucracy. If you find a good doctor hang onto them. Do not go
into a Medicare disadvantage plan.
Washington we have a problem!

.

I don’t have Medicare yet. What should I keep in mind for when I do?

As senormed stated do not go into an advantage plan which are essentially HMO’s for Medicare. Stick with traditional Medicare A&B, a Gap plan and prescription drug plan.

I didn't mean this to turn into a discussion about Medicare... I'm not quite there yet...lol. But it is a factor when finding a new doctor.

He called with the bloodwork and everything was normal except barely high cholesterol, which is normal, no higher than usual. He asked how I was feeling and I said just tired all the time (again) and he said to let him see if they could add testosterone to the work without drawing more blood (shouldn't that have been added when I was in the office?). Nurse called me the next day and said my testosterone was normal. No one can tell me why I am so damn tired ALL the stinking time though.

@newtobeingold - Haha. I love your screen name! In time you will likely change to something like: "Usedtobeingold...but not loving it"

You didn't share how old you are? Sleep difficulties are common with aging. Some studies suggest oldsters actually need less sleep. I haven't found that to be the case.

First, your new doctor and issues. I just think doctors today are more focused on problem solving than on diagnosis. Low T was a good thought, and you're OK in that area, fortunately. Give the doc's office credit for that thought.

You might benefit from a deeper understanding of "how" you sleep and other lifestyle issues: (1) How much sleep do you actually get? I use a sleep tracker (built into my mattress) which helps me understand the quality of my sleep. (2) Do you struggle to fall asleep? Stay asleep? There are techniques to help in each instance. (3) Have you tried simple supplements like melatonin?

Are there any lifesyle elements that may be contributing to your feelings of fatigue? Not enough physical exercise? Correct BMI? Too much alcohol?

You need to be the chief driver of managing your health. That's just the way of things these days. Keep digging until you have a better understanding of your feelings of fatigue.

@newtobeingold actually you do have some answers in that you say all your tests have been negative thus far so you don’t have metabolic syndrome, DM, or a host of other disease processes that we can develop as we age. Although it’s not uncommon to be tired or fatigues as we age also. But don’t stop seeking answers until your comfortable with your result.

You said they did all bloodwork, but I didn’t get my Vitamin B12 tested, until I requested due to some tingling. It’s not a normal screening test. I was deficient. Fatigue wasn’t my symptom, but it is for many. Also, did they test the thyroid?

Sometimes, depression can cause fatigue too. Were you screened for that?

I feel very invigorated since switching to a daily exercise schedule and changing my diet.

I hope you can find some answers.

Keep a record of all your labs.
If you have access to a MyChart
or similar portal use it. Your doctor
likely tested your thyroid level.
Know your lipid numbers and family history. You can request
age appropriate screenings such
as high sensitivity CRP for inflammation. My local hospitals are offering self referred
Cardiac CTs for artery calcium scores for 60 dollars.

I have had exactly the same experience. An annual with my old doctor took about an hour and was very thorough. The one I have now has the nurse to check my weight, blood pressure/heart beat, and blood oxygen level, while the Doc looks at my blood test results, listens to my heart and lungs, and that's it. About 10 minutes. Am I "old enough to die", or what?