Endocrinology question ; need help; Dr won’t give referral

Hi @marmymoomy. I am not sure why your Dr. has not referred you based on the symptoms you describe. I can only imagine how challenging it is to function day to day with all of that going on. Having been in a similar situation once, I think it is important for you to advocate for a referral and if it continues to be an issue, I would seek out an Endo on your own. There are so many good Endo's that can help you understand what is going on and I would go that route if possible. While there may be insurance coverage implications, it would not do you much good to continue to deal with the issues you are experiencing. I would just vote with your feet and find someone else. My $0.02.

@matt2024 thank you so much! I have the name of an Endo whom a family member goes to, and highly recommends . This family member also said she suspects a thyroid issue. My TSH levels I guess to my Dr looked fine, but I know I need to seek further testing. She is a new PCP for me , so she doesn’t really know me ( my former PCP of 28 years is now retired ) Thank you SO very much for your two cents 😂

One more thing : I was taken aback when she asked “ what do you mean by scalloped tongue” 🙄

marmymoomy,
Glad you got a referral from a trusted person. I wholeheartedly agree with matt2024 about advocating for yourself...it's often harder to do than we think.
Following matt2024, I will add my 1 cent of advice..
I am 65, female (seems to be an issue ), intro to Endo 17 years ago, it took 2 yrs w/PCP, then 2 yrs w/Endo to send me to GI, for endoscopy, cuz they couldn't figure out why my vitamin D levels struggled even on 50,000 IU 3x wkly and my PTH, parathyroid hormone levels were SCREWY, 32-188. All the while, definitely NOT keeping me in the loop of my own body. Shocker, I had celiac disease, with 90% Marsh 4 score and 10% Marsh 3c., which means my villi were severely flattened. Well, duh! I was probably born with celiac, but have been asymptomatic for 50 yrs and opposing symptoms for 30+- yrs. The Endo and GI were so PROUD OF THEMSELVES, they forgot I was still having serious issues. I was diagnosed as secondary HPTH due to malabsorption (celiac) issues. But I also had hypothyroidism, that is SO different for everyone. I only got meds for it, to shut me up. I have since learned, if you truly have hypothyroidism, you need to be on medication for life, it doesn't get fixed. My body does the best that it can, when my TSH is at a very low level. Get all thyroid hormones checked AND make sure you do not take any supplements with much Biotin in them, it will mess up your results; I wish the doctor would have told me that. Now, only due to a CT pancreas description, no one told me about, I had to ask....6 months later, nothing to do with the pancreas, I now have Tertiary /Hyperparathyroidism, and elevated calcium and need surgery to remove 3 1/2 out of 4 PTH glands. This is not really all that uncommon, as we women age. While you are seeing the endocrinologist, get all the tests you can. I am not saying you have HPTH or elevated calcium, but it is not diagnosed with 1 set of blood tests, it takes several, to see the "trend" in your body. At 65, and I still have a few brain cells that are good, I had no clue about the BIG impact calcium has on many of our body and brain functions. Too low, is very bad, too high is very bad. You didn't mention your age, but if you have not had one, I would advocate strongly for a DEXA bone density scan. Even just my celiac had done enough damage to put me into early onset osteoporosis, also known as osteopenia. Be tough with the endocrinologist and other doctors, get very very particular and pushy. I hate getting old 😱ShelleyW

@shelleyw thank you so much! I’m so very sorry you’re enduring so much! I’ll be praying for you. I don’t have the referral yet, I’m hoping to soon. OH MY GOSH! I take biotin sublingual! I never knew it could alter test results! Thank you for that. I’ll keep plugging away … get the cortisol test to begin with, meet with my pcp and tell her I want the referral, because I know when my body is off. You’ve been very helpful, thank you!

😯 wow, I shared a good idea, I am so happy it was helpful. Remember...Advocate or get DOWN RIGHT PUSHY‼️‼️
ShelleyW

@marmymoomy instead of seeing the endocrinologist, why not make an appointment with the endocrinologist's PA or NP? You may not need a referral for either of these 2. If either thinks you require an endocrinologist, then either can refer you over.

@marmymoomy, a question. do you have PPO insurance? if you do. you don't need a referral. the things you describe sounds like Hypothyroidism. especially with the weight gain around the midsection. dry eyes. dehydration, scalloped tongue, extreme fatigue. another thing. how could she ask you, what do you mean scalloped tongue? all she has to do is look at it. it's obvious. geez what a doctor. one more thing. if you have PPO insurance find another doctor while you're at it. even if you don't have PPO ins. @danny5

collegeprof, What a terrifically excellent, yet so simple suggestion. I'm going to use this approach as I am going to be looking for an immunologist. Thanx, ShelleyW

Biotin is fine, just do not take 24 hours before the thyroid tests! I usually stop taking it a week before! I am 52 F, have been on thyroid meds since the age of 14! I had to have biotin after bariatric surgery so I have been well educated on that! Also some medical groups let you self refer to a specialist if your insurance is a PPO (versus HMO) as I can self refer to any specialist in my medical group. They have a referral phone number! You may want to check on that! Good luck!