What to Expect When You Visit a Endocrinologist ?

Updated on February 05, 2013
N.B. asks from Albany, CA
5 answers

I am having a appointment with the endocrinologist today afternoon, my OB referred me to a Endocrinologist, went to my OB a few days back cos i was having irregular periods, and as expected did the blood test and all from there, got the results yesterday, and the result says have sever deficiency of VIT D and TSH level is high...( so i guess it is hypothyroidism)...

so today when i am going to a Endocrinologist, what should i expect,,,,means what all examinations will he do, or what all will he ask?

and i really hope that i be cured of this as soon as possible, cos we were planning for a second baby, but the the OB told, to wait till this thing is sorted out....if i am on medication for hypothyroidism,,,how long will it take to effect...( i know that Hypothyroidism do effect a women's fertility too)--- just hope that God be with me... and upon that my husband is having vericose vein in testicle, his doc told him, that won't cause much trouble, but if even after trying, u can't get your wife pregnant, then will do the rest tests...... so u see for me to get pregnant a second time is really a probability now....all together f&*ked up ...( sorry for the language),,,too tensed and sad about the whole thing.

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So What Happened?

Hello ladies, thanks for your response...went to the Endo, he gave me euthyrox , Vit D capsules and iron tablets....and the next visit is after 4 weeks, then he'll do the blood test again and see whats the progress....he did a ultra sound of the thyroid, just for the record,,,,its all fine there( atleast thats what the technician said)....and abt trying for a second baby, he told we could try it after 6 weeks....though it is recommended we wait a bit long....told if the med is effecting well, i'll be fine by three months or so....hope for the best....

regards.

More Answers

M.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

The Endo will mostly just do bloodwork. Ask you more in depth questions about how you are feeling/symptoms etc.

If you're put on meds you will want to wait a few months before trying again - till your levels are more on track.

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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

Many years ago I, too, went to an endocrinologist for a small pituitary tumor that responded well to bromocriptine (I no longer have the tumor).

I remember an extensive physical examination which surprised me. I think she was looking for weird hair growth, etc.

They also did ALOT of blood work (ugh).

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J.F.

answers from Bloomington on

I started seeing an Endo last September when I was diagnosed with a pit. gland tumor. In the the process, I was also diagnosed as hypothyroidism.

I've seen him 3 times since. All times the majority of our time spent was him asking questions and me answering them....of course, he answered any questions I had.

It takes about 3 months for your meds (I'm on levothyroxine) to really make a difference. (Of course, I had surgery in there, so I'm not sure when *I* actually started feeling the effects.) But, I will tell you that you will feel SOOOOO much better after you start taking it (and it starts really working). There was one day I didn't take my pill (take first thing each morning) and I was sooooo lethargic! Like my old self.

You don't realize how bad you were feeling until you start feeling better.

I don't know much about getting pregnant while on thyroid meds. But, I do know a lot about infertility. It took us 6 years for the first. My best advice there is, take the time to get your body healthy for the sake of getting healthy. One thing at a time. :) Best wishes to you.

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S.G.

answers from Jacksonville on

Go to this website and read read read!! stopthethryoidmadness.com I hope your Endo did more blood work like Free T3 and Free T4 too and did your OB do any hormone testing like estrogen and testosterone?? If these are too high or low you can feel horrible and have messed up periods too. I have estrogen dominance and very low testo levels which in turn has my thyroid going hypo and my adrenals are in slow-mo mode :(

The website above has all the labs your Dr should be running and why. It's very informative and will help you take charge of your health because the DRs don't always know what's best.

S.

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N.K.

answers from Miami on

They should be testing the Free T3 and T4, and if the levels are not in the right range, based on your results and asking questions about your hair, nails, weight, fatigue, etc., he will probably put you on medication. I was on medication for many years before I lost a chunk of weight, ate smaller portions, and my body re-adjusted to the point of not needing levothyroxine (thyroid medication) anymore, but this was after 5 years and right now, I am still borderline, so I could very well go back as I age. I also have PCOS and very high testosterone levels, which could alter my thyroid's hormone production as well.

The endocrinologist checks me once a year, but when you have been diagnosed as hypothyroid, they will do bloodwork every 6 months to monitor the dosage of your medication. Bear in mind that most women DO have to take these medications for the rest of their life, and the chances of your body's hormones repairing themselves are not that high...it's not very common for this to occur, unless you got it for the first time after childbirth, which seems very common (it's called postpartum thyroiditis, if you're interested), and even then, about 30% of those women will need to take medication for life.

I am not sure if taking thyroid medication actually interferes with having children though, I know the doctor said I could still breastfeed while I was on medication, so I don't see why it would be a reason to not try for a baby, if this is something you both want. Of course, ask the doctor if it's safe to conceive, but if it's safe to feed a baby from your body's milk production, I would think it's also safe to conceive. Best of luck to you both, hope you get your 2nd baby and that it is healthy!

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