Have you seen an endocrinologist? Was it beneficial?

I have never seen an endo dr, but your family physician can order blood work for hormones (probably for a lot less $).

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....

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.

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!

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...

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.

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.

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:

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.