Have you seen an endocrinologist? Was it beneficial?

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onek9lover
onek9lover Posts: 58
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm coming off a weird birth control, my hormones I think are out of whack. I'm 5'6" and 179. I'm eating around 1200-1400 cals per day but not losing. I also go to the gym three times a week, play volleyball on Monday's and tennis on Wednesday's. But I'm not losing. Do you think and endocrinologist will work for me. What will they do?
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  • sunkisses
    sunkisses Posts: 2,365 Member
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    You don't see an endocrinologist for this. Your primary physician needs to see you to determine whether you have a need for an endocrinologist. Why do you think your hormones are out of whack?

    If you make your diary public for a little while, there are a lot of knowledgeable people who can take a look and point you in the right direction. More than likely, you're probably not eating enough of your exercise calories back.
  • kyrstensmom
    kyrstensmom Posts: 297 Member
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    I have never seen an endo dr, but your family physician can order blood work for hormones (probably for a lot less $).
  • placebo09
    placebo09 Posts: 3
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    Same thing I have been wondering, just off birth control and after coming off it have gained and feel way out of sync...
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
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    I work in healthcare.... and the first reply (and now subsequent) to you was correct.

    You have to start with your primary care physician first because they are the front line that knows your regular medical history. He/She will be limited as they are not exercise-physiologists nor are they capable of giving nutritional-related advice as they just dont have the proper training...

    Start with your PCP. Let them decide if you need a preliminary tests or referrals to an actual registered dietician who specializes with weight loss directives.

    If you have prelim-tests done with your PCP, he/she will determine the figures and whether or not a referral is even needed....
  • DeenieWeenie
    DeenieWeenie Posts: 149 Member
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    I see an Endocrinologist for hyperthyroidism and Graves disease, not for weight loss. He doesn't help me with weight, he told me to eat less calories! LOL
  • gregpack
    gregpack Posts: 426 Member
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    I will say some physicians are more conservative than others about various therapys. My sister goes to a physician that specializes in weight loss, hormone therapy, and diet/digestive disorders. I think it's beneficial to see one that specializes.
  • KLK1986
    KLK1986 Posts: 89
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    An endocrinologist is a specialist you typically get referred to for a specific issue. Your first stop should be your primary physician.

    I also think you aren't eating enough. I'm your height and a lower weight and very sedentary and even my BMR is higher than 1400....I try to never eat less than my BMR....I think MFP is hurting a lot of people by recommending deficits that take you below your BMR. Eating lower than your BMR can hurt your metabolism.

    Edit to add: I see an endocrinologist for Type 1 diabetes. He has never had answers for me about weight loss. That's not his specialty. His specialty is hormones. Do you think you have a hormonal imbalance/hormone related disease? Your body might just be adjusting to being off birth control. That's different than a permanent imbalance/disease.
  • ValerieMcGaha
    ValerieMcGaha Posts: 12 Member
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    I suggest instead of going to see an endocrynologist, go to a Bio-Identical Hormone Specialist. They can determine if you have a hormone imbalance or if it is truly a thyroid issue. Look up Dr Christiana Northrup online. She can give you a lot of direction concerning all of this. I just recently purchased her book, "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom." She has been on the Oprah show before and gives a lot of info on this kind of thing. Suzanne Somers is another person who is real informative. I wish you the best!
  • pigwidgeon82
    pigwidgeon82 Posts: 79 Member
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    I'm coming off a weird birth control, my hormones I think are out of whack. I'm 5'6" and 179. I'm eating around 1200-1400 cals per day but not losing. I also go to the gym three times a week, play volleyball on Monday's and tennis on Wednesday's. But I'm not losing. Do you think and endocrinologist will work for me. What will they do?

    i don't think you are eating enough. my endocrinologist (who i see for thyroid issues) told me to NEVER eat under 1400 calories. your body is starving and is thus going to slow down your metabolism. i would eat more to get your metabolism going again.
  • missigus
    missigus Posts: 207 Member
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    I have had thyroid issues for 25 years. I think there is a lot more going on with hypothyroid than just weight issues. It is a big part of it, but you probably would have other symptoms as well, like cold hands and feet even when it's warm, feeling tired and draggy through the day, hair loss, dry skin, and there are more, but people who are low thryoid, slow metabolism, will show multiple symptoms. If you went off the pill recently it could be too that your body hasn't regulated. If it were me I'd talk to my OB/Gyn Dr. and see what they have to say. If you have one that's covered thru your insurance. They can draw blood to check all your hormone levels including your thyroid, mine has checked all that for me in the past. They can sometimes treat you or will send you onto and Endocrinologist. I will be honest in saying I have not had the best of luck with Endo's and have had a better time just working with my family drs or OB/Gyn. I currently see a Dr. who specializes in Natural Thyroid supplementation, which is a whole other story. But you will have to start somewhere! So I'd see about the hormone issues 1st. Good luck to you, I know how frustrating it is to try and do everthing right and get nowhere...
  • onek9lover
    onek9lover Posts: 58
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    Thanks for all the advice. I should have been more clear, I have met with my primary doctor multiple times and I have an actual referral.. I just wasn't sure what to expect. Think it might be better if I start a modified low curb diet so I can allow for more calories slightly. I've been kind of eating what I want to but staying close to goal. This worked when I was 25 but not so much now obviously. I've wondered if it's because of coming off the depo but I wasn't sure. Two years ago I weighed less than this, drank large amounts of alcohol and bar food (I was a bartender) and now I've never felt so healthy and I've never weighed more. I havent been able to do 45 mins on the elliptical since my goal weight and now it's no problem. It just doesn't make sense.
  • onek9lover
    onek9lover Posts: 58
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    Also thank you for all the positivity. I really appreciate it... If you want to add me as a friend please do so. Thanks!
  • gwmedicgod
    gwmedicgod Posts: 180 Member
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    I've been under the care of a endocrinologist for yrs reg my diabetes... where I'm Insulin dependent and on a insulin pump.... for that she is great.. and I can't wait to see her reaction when she see the results of my hard work so far....
  • littlemsmuffet
    littlemsmuffet Posts: 84
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    You don't see an endocrinologist for this. Your primary physician needs to see you to determine whether you have a need for an endocrinologist. Why do you think your hormones are out of whack?

    If you make your diary public for a little while, there are a lot of knowledgeable people who can take a look and point you in the right direction. More than likely, you're probably not eating enough of your exercise calories back.

    What? Endocrinologists are "specialist physicians" (so to speak) and study all hormones. They go to medical school and get the same credentials a primary physician does + specialty study. They are more qualified to discuss female (and all other) hormones (leptin, ghrelin, insulin, thyroid). Seeing an Endocrinologist is an excellent idea.
  • littlemsmuffet
    littlemsmuffet Posts: 84
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    I will say some physicians are more conservative than others about various therapys. My sister goes to a physician that specializes in weight loss, hormone therapy, and diet/digestive disorders. I think it's beneficial to see one that specializes.

    The peanut gallery applauds you :drinker:
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
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    You don't see an endocrinologist for this. Your primary physician needs to see you to determine whether you have a need for an endocrinologist. Why do you think your hormones are out of whack?

    If you make your diary public for a little while, there are a lot of knowledgeable people who can take a look and point you in the right direction. More than likely, you're probably not eating enough of your exercise calories back.

    What? Endocrinologists are "specialist physicians" (so to speak) and study all hormones. They go to medical school and get the same credentials a primary physician does + specialty study. They are more qualified to discuss female (and all other) hormones (leptin, ghrelin, insulin, thyroid). Seeing an Endocrinologist is an excellent idea.

    Speaking as an Advanced Medical Biller who has worked for CMS/NHIC... if this person has an HMO policy or related plans to an HMO, they are REQUIRED to see their Primary Care Physician first as they are deemed the "Gate Keeper" of healthcare who holds the medical record of said-patient's medical history. The PCP must evaluate and treat within his/her license and determine if they can diagnose and treat. If said PCP cannot determine within the realm of their license what is going on or requires tests they are not credentialed for, only THEN will a referral be made for the patient to go to a Specialist (must be credentialed as such). That referral tells the insurance carrier that the PCP has done their work and can no longer continue treatment and must refer the patient to a specialist that can continue treatment relating to the findings of what the PCP was able to determine.

    Not everyone carries a PPO plan that allows them to go where-ever they want sans the referral. There are plans out there (POS-Plan, Self Insured, ETC) that you can still go where-ever you want, but your Copays and Co-insurance fees are HIGHER WITHOUT a referral from the PCP... If you get a referral, your copays and coinsurance fees are much much lower.... thus paying the physicians a higher rate.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
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    Because the OP made no mention of what insurance they have...my initial advice was driven towards saving that person some money out of their pocket....

    And, there are circumstances where even if you have a PPO, some specialty offices will still want you to see your PCP because the PCP needs to know what form of care is being given... Keeps everyone on the same page.
  • littlemsmuffet
    littlemsmuffet Posts: 84
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    Speaking as an Advanced Medical Biller who has worked for CMS/NHIC... if this person has an HMO policy or related plans to an HMO, they are REQUIRED to see their Primary Care Physician first as they are deemed the "Gate Keeper" of healthcare who holds the medical record of said-patient's medical history.

    Right - assuming everything is in order: seeing an Endocrinologist is an excellent idea. :happy:
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
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    Speaking as an Advanced Medical Biller who has worked for CMS/NHIC... if this person has an HMO policy or related plans to an HMO, they are REQUIRED to see their Primary Care Physician first as they are deemed the "Gate Keeper" of healthcare who holds the medical record of said-patient's medical history.

    Right - assuming everything is in order: seeing an Endocrinologist is an excellent idea. :happy:

    Even without an HMO, I would still tell even my patients to consult with their PCP first.

    All too often, people do not keep their PCP in-the-know about what is going on. And, all too often, there are things a PCP can do for someone that a specialty office is going to ask you "did you update your primary care physician with what is going on?". Its the same thing when people come on MFP for medical advice - a true medical question is asked, and they really should be going back to their PCP and not here.

    This situation could still be easily handled by the PCP.... it took a Physician's Assistant to diagnose me with PCOS. The actual severity had to be clinically worked by three specialists after the initial PCOS declaration due to the complexity.

    OP should be consulting her PCP first.
  • tricia19444
    tricia19444 Posts: 74
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    Too everyone that has contributed the information to this, thank you! All the info was helpful to me :-)

    I am new to my PCP (only having 2 visits over 6 months, after I moved cross country in the summer). My PCP won't refer me to an endo but my insurance changes from HMO to PPO on March 1 and I have been searching for one. I believe its the right decision for me at this time. The info you gave was helpful.

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