Hi again all.
Mame, my doc is sort of interesting. She is an MD (so a traditional medical doctor, at least that's how she started out) and has had a family practice for quite some time. When she herself went through menopause a few years ago she had HORRIBLE problems. Her hot flashes were so bad (upwards of 70 hot flashes per day at the worst stage) that she could barely function, let alone run a medical practice. That's what started her doing research on the whole hormone topic. So...in effect she was her own first patient. She has split her practice off into two part - the "Family Practice" part, and the "Docname Institute" part which is where she does the less traditional hormone work. It's quite interesting - my insurance covers procedures and appointments with her that are "mainstream" such as pap smears and mole removals. It covered the blood tests for the thyroid levels, but not the consultation. It did NOT cover the saliva test for all the other hormones including adrenals, cortisol, estrogen (various types), testosterone.
LOL tomorrow I'm getting my stitches removed (covered) but also expect to be told to up the Armour by a 1/2 grain. Nanny Nanny Boo Boo to the insurance company who will unknowingly reimburse for probably 5 minutes of hormone advice!! (Lila - how long ago did you switch from Synthroid to Armour? I get the feeling more is learned all the time about how to best introduce Armour either initially, or as a transition from other synthetic hormones...)
Long story short Mame - I feel like I'm getting the best of both worlds - MD AND naturopath or something like that. She is also very into nutrition and how that fits in. She has me on a very strong detox level pro-biotic for 60 days (I'm about 1/2 done with that) then will switch to another probiotic. She actually switches probiotics winter and summer too. She is also an advocate of vitamin D3 - lots of new info about significant benefits to that.
Anyway, I will be glad to get the Armour inched up to where it has more of an impact. She will only go up 1/2 grain every two weeks so as not to shock the existing function of my thyroid. I want the benefits, dangit!!
beatle, have you looked on either the anti-aging web site that I linked up thread to see if there is a doc on that directory in your area? Or on the Armour physician locator?
Physician Locate
Sadly, I've read about people traveling MANY MANY miles to get to a good hormone doc. I'm lucky I found one close to home.
I'll let you know what happens tomorrow at our appointment.
DG