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Confused by doctor options to choose, including Keith McCormick
I’m still learning and navigating my Osteoporosis diagnosis and trying to get my healthcare providers lined up. I’m 51.
I have a PCP who I will only be using as a “sick doctor” going forward. She is aware of my diagnosis and is not up to date on care or treatment.
I have a neuro-kinetic therapist who I work with (recovering from a back injury) who is extremely knowledgeable in osteoporosis exercise. So I will continue to work with her for strength building.
I have a gyn who is not knowledgeable about osteoporosis and referred me to a local endocrinologist.
Those are all of my current health care providers.
Here’s where I’m getting confused….
I really am drawn to Keith McCormick. I prefer functional medicine but like that he also is incredibly knowledgeable about meds and doesn’t hesitate to use them when needed. I have no problems with video appointments.
I have a consultation with the Mayo Clinic in July - the endocrinology team.
They will review my case and decide if they will provide a treatment plan for my local docs or if they will accept me as a patient. So that’s up in the air.
There is a local functional doctor, who specializes in healthy aging and osteoporosis that I am considering.
The endocrinologist that my gyn referred me to doesn’t have an opening until August.
My questions….
Do people use Keith McCormick to completely manage osteo? Or do you also have a local endocrinologist and they work together? Furthermore, when McCormick orders labs, is that done at a local lab or through my regular doc? Thinking costs…..and insurance (I have Cigna - too young for Medicare) for all of those lab tests.
Does anyone have a functional doctor that manages osteoporosis in collaboration with Keith McCormick?
Does anyone see a dietician? I eat a whole foods plant based diet, so am realizing that I am deficient in quite a bit of protein and calcium according to “Strong Bones” teachings. Both of the functional med doctors have nutritionists on board that could help with that.
I’m so overwhelmed just choosing providers! What do you suggest?
Cost does matter - it isn’t the driving factor at this point (understanding and knowledge is the highest priority now).
As of now - I’m flying solo until the end of July, when I meet with Mayo. Wish I had some solid medical guidance before then, but so far have not been able to get earlier new patient appts.
What are most people doing - especially those who have seen or talked to Keith McCormick for a consult or care?
The more I read, the more confused I get. I have time to make decisions, but half a year will have passed before I actually see someone, let alone make any decisions about care. Need to get my ducks in a row.
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I like to take things separately, but I certainly understand the convenience of everything in one pill. Also, I stopped taking calcium months ago. I get it mostly from dairy and some from fortified food. So, I have D3 pills, and I have K2 pills, but no calcium pills.
@shelldct1 I finished the full 12 months of Evenity. I then had a bone density scan which showed significant gains in both my hip and lower spine. I don’t have the numbers in front of me so if you are curious about how much my bone density increased let me know and I will look up at that information.
My endocrinologist told me that it was important to lock in those gains with a month or two so he ordered a Reclast infusion. I followed through with the Reclast. That was in early December, 2024. I did not have any side effects with the Reclast infusion.
I return to Mayo Clinic to see my endocrinologist in November this year. I’ll have another bone density scan and discuss next steps, if any, with medication. In the meantime, I continue to monitor my calcium intake, and keep active especially with weightlifting.
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I agree 100% with your comments but wanted to clarify that a DO is not a chiropractor but a Doctor of Osteopathy which is a medical degree. DOs practice in the same areas as MDs. My PCP is a DO and is licensed to practice medicine.
A chiropractor is a DC (Doctor of Chiropractic). Dr. McCormick is a DC.
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1 ReactionThanks for all the input. I am going to give K McCormicks Osteo Sustain a try. I did like Thornes advanced bone support, but had to add vitamin K. Hoping it’s helping. I looked at the Osteo Biotech and didn’t see vitamin K included. Did you say it was @trishafay
@naturegirl5 Yours is an awesome success story with evenity. Happy for you to have significant gains without significant pains.
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1 ReactionHi! It is actually K2... I like Thorne as well.. But I"m sure the Osteo Sustain will also be great - let us know how it goes!
Why no comment? If you had a negative experience, why not share it? Everyone here is anonymous, after all.
Great to hear fantastic news! Would you be willing to share what your tscores were before the medication and after?
I used Keith McCormick and got my labs done through my PCP. He was helpful. He explained that he is not surprised that I have osteoporosis since I had Lyme for years and weighed under 120 pounds. The GI map was interesting. It found I had waaay to much ecoli, not enough hydrochloric acid, and I have inflammation and a gluten sensitivity. He wanted me to take Forteo, but my endocrinologist didn't want me to because it had a black box warning of cancer. He was unaware of that warning. I havd had cancer twice, and didn’t want again. I used Evenity instead, which also builds bone. Then Reclast which he and my endangered on. He can't come up with treatment notes and that is a problem. He doesn't speak with other Dr's. He is not good at responding via email that was how I was supposed to contact him. I had a question, but I didn’t get a response forv2 or 3 months. I just gave up on him, but I was very glad to have gotten his input and the results of the GI Map.