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Post by lizzylou on Apr 13, 2010 20:12:25 GMT -5
I had a whole bunch of tests done last week (24 hour urine collection and 10 vials of blood) from my endocrinologist to check all my hormone levels and some other stuff. I was supposed to go in on the 20th to discuss the results.
I got a call from the nurse, some of my results are in, the rest should be in by thursday morning and they want me to come in on thursday (15th) to discuss the results. She said she couldn't tell me any of the results over the phone but we will discuss it when I come in.
I'm curious what they found to make them move it up, if the results were nothing I would assume they would just tell me over the phone i'm fine.
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Post by Karen on Apr 13, 2010 22:10:39 GMT -5
Yeah, I agree - if everything was fine, I'd assume they'd hold the appointment. Are you nervous or excited (in that you might get some answers)? Or both?
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Post by pamelaj on Apr 14, 2010 6:17:07 GMT -5
Im not sure how the Health Care system is in the States but I know here in Ontario Canada, no matter what the results are, they do not tell you over the phone. Either way lizzy, good luck and keep us posted
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Post by JC on Apr 14, 2010 7:05:31 GMT -5
HOW COOL! I wish I could get an overhaul from an endocrinologist. I've been wanting to make an appointment for a long time. Good luck with the results!
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Post by lizzylou on Apr 14, 2010 7:18:20 GMT -5
Jenaya - see what your insurance covers and go for it! My insurance covered it so i just went in and made an appointment. I was concerned about my thyroid (with good reason), and once I explained my other issues, she just tossed a few more tests on there.
Pamelaj- I've always gotten my test results over the phone, I was actually really suprised when they wouldn't tell me. I could have thrown a fit and demand they send them to me (they are my results, they can't keep them from me), but I only need to wait until thursday, no biggie.
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Post by hellsbells on Apr 14, 2010 14:27:10 GMT -5
Oh I'm curious - let us know asap!
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Post by lizzylou on Apr 15, 2010 17:39:35 GMT -5
They found I have a severe vitamin D defiency. Your level is supposed to be 30, mine is at 2. The dr said that with levels where mine are it's one of two things. #1 My body isn't storing Vitamin D at all, or #2 My body isn't storing the vitamin D like it should. Most likely #2. So I need to take a prescription Vitamin D (50,000 mg) 3 times a week for 3 months. It will take about that long for it to get my levels back up and for me to feel better. After that I need to take a prescrption Vit. D one a week for the rest of my life, or an over the counter (2,000mg) every day for the rest of my life.
She also said I'm hypersensative to hormonal changes within my body. So when a hormone level changes (even to another normal level) I can sometimes get negative side effects due to the sensativity
All my other levels were normal so I'm pretty happy with the results. They found out WHY I'm feeling like crap all the time, they found an easy way to fix it. And worst case, I stop taking the vitamins and I just feel like crap, It won't make me sick or die.
Popular to common belief, you don't get that much vitamin D from the sun (according to recent studies).
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Post by Karen on Apr 15, 2010 17:45:01 GMT -5
I had a friend that had a similar experience with Vit D - she was super low. Problem was, she supplemented like crazy per doctor's orders (and prescription of it) and her levels still dropped.
Interesting comment on the hormonal changes. How did they come to that conclusion? Did they tell you that BC is the 'cure' for that? Just curious!
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Post by lizzylou on Apr 16, 2010 7:09:58 GMT -5
Really? Interesting to hear about your friend, good think to keep in mind! Maybe she has problem #1.
She suggested the hormonal changes because my levels are fine on everything else but I'm clearly having issues with female problems, and I get lots of "symptoms" because of it. She didn't mention birth control. I can't be on it because of my risk of stroke. i didn't ask a million questions about that because I didn't really process it until after I left her office. I want to do research about it before my appointment in 3 months.
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Post by JC on Apr 16, 2010 8:31:15 GMT -5
Hey that's cool that you have answers! I am curious, usually if your body isn't storing vitamin D, it's becasue of some other issue with your body not absorbing/storing it properly. I'm kinda curious why they would just treat you with more vitamin D if your body isn't storing it properly in the first place. Can you shed some light on this? I'm really curious! Also, coconut milk has more vitamin D than regular milk and it's YUMMY TOO!
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Post by JC on Apr 16, 2010 8:48:52 GMT -5
Check out this page I found. It lists all the tests that endocrinologists can do and what each test looks for. The language is very dense but I can not believe all the different things they can test for! I almost feel deprived! I could have so many answers! If you scroll down to gonadal function, there are so many tests they can do for women. After being told that testing these things is pointless, I feel kinda upset now that they CAN do these tests and they just WONT do them. GRRR I'm gonna find a way to see an endocrinologist. www.labcorp.com/pdf/Endocrine_Test_Menu.pdf
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Post by lizzylou on Apr 16, 2010 12:17:13 GMT -5
I HATE coconut! lol, and I'm lactose intolerant so I don't drink a ton of milk.
I actualy can't shed light on why they aren't looking into something else. The main goal right now is to get my levels back up so I can start to feel better. We are re-testing in 3 months to see where the levels are. if they are still low then i've got bigger issues. So Once we see where things ae in 3 months, i'll definatly be asking more questions. I always seem to process and come up with more questions when i leave the dr's.
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Post by Karen on Apr 16, 2010 17:06:03 GMT -5
I know, I hate that when I think about something really good to ask AFTER I leave! I've heard that sometimes it's good to have someone with you at your appointment that knows your background so there's a second set of ears to think and process, but I know it's not always easy to do.
Yeah, my friend hasn't figured out why she's not absorbing vit d (that's the assumption at least). She has PCOS and is on metformin and she thinks that *might* be part of it, although she's not quite sure. There's also an article I found a while back (if you're interested, I can find the post) that talks about how small issues with your digestive system can make you sick, that's another theory she's mulling over.
As for your hormones, did they test your hormones at all? I've heard blood tests are difficult to really get a good idea of what your levels are, but saliva tests taken throughout the day are much more accurate. Do you know if you tolerate natural hormones at all, or have you only discovered your body doesn't like synthetic (BC)?
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Post by lizzylou on Apr 16, 2010 21:52:56 GMT -5
My body doesn't like synthetic....AT ALL!! I have a tube of natural progesterine lotion. I used to use it before my periods when I was a teenager (my mom nagged me to death to try it) and it seemed to help and I didn't have many issues with that. Although I was on a pill for 3 years before I had my son without any issues what so ever. It cleared up my skin, lightened and regulated my periods, no cramps, etc. Went back on after I had my son and nothing but problems since (5 years now). I've been dealing with cysts and endo for about the last 2 years. So I have no idea what changed in my body when I had a baby but my dr said it's not uncommon for your body to change.
So if there is some other type of natural hormone I'd be willing to try it. Does your friend live in this area too? My endocrinologist went to a UW school and did her fellowship training in Madison. She said its not uncommon for people in this area to have a Vit D deficency (not usualy that low however). She said because of our winters, and the dairy in this area isn't as fortified and regulated as other states, so we get less vitamin D naturally. And as common as Friday Night Fish Fry's are, we eat less fish that other states (another natural source). *shrug* something else to think of.
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Post by lizzylou on Apr 16, 2010 21:59:23 GMT -5
Oh...Sorry...Hormone tests.
She tested my estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, Cortisol, TSH, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone (triggers ovulation), Growth Hormone, vitamin D and Adrenaline.
Everything was withing the normal zone accept my Vitamin D.
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