Which specialist?

[MyCheesecake]

Okay, I've got a Chronic progressive uncureable degenerative disease that's helped contribute to my 3rd stage Osteoporosis which I was diagnosed with a few months ago. Saw an endocrinologist who pushed 3 servings of high D but zip about k2. Why was I referred to endocrinologist instead of an Orthopedic who works with bones, or a Rheumatologist or a Gyn? It seems like most posts I've read people are seeing an Endocrinologist? So why them over the others? Close to the end of the road, so why ?

[MayGodBlessYou]

i'm still asking, i also noticed that dentists and dental surgeons may be quite aware of osteoporotic drugs.

chiropractor specialist could have info.

interested in rheumatology consultation. i have visited a rheumy some years ago and was impressed with what they knew and understood.

orthopedic dr probably good advice if accessible.

i'm even thinking osteopath would have some clues

[yogalibrarian]

You need someone who specializes in osteoporosis/bone health or at least takes a special interest or treats a lot of patients with osteoporosis.

* Endocrinologists who specialize in OP. But some specialize in diabetes or other endocrine conditions. Those may not be able to offer the best help.

* Rheumatologists (diagnose and treat for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that primarily affect the body's musculoskeletal system — joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments) who see a lot of OP patients.

* OB/GYN -- At some medical centers breast and bone health and other women's health issues are affiliated with OB/GYN.

* Orthopedists -- often focus more on fixing the damage (fractures) rather than preventing it. However, in some medical centers bone health and fracture liaison services are part of ortho.

You may have to ask a lot of questions to get to the right doctor for you. There is no single answer.

And in some areas specialists are rare. At my local hospital, the ENDO only has appointments two days a month. However, my GYN has a good understanding of OP. And if needed, I'm an hour away from other specialists.

Where do you live?

[MyCheesecake in reply to yogalibrarian]

I know all about finding the right sub specialist. Like my GI, who treats my chronic pancreas disease. When 1st diagnosed I was sent a regular GI, who knew almost zip about my illness. I had to contact our state(MI) Pancreas Foundation location and ask them to refer me to a GI who was a Pancreas specialist. At 1st there was no one in my area. I contacted them again a few years ago &the center had merged with a group in my area. But I was already in end stage & beyond treating symptoms there's not much they can do for it now,tho after ignoring the rare& debilitating illness I have&the # of cases⬆️, they're finally doing some research & testing in the US. Now I have a new PCP& his NP that referred me to an endocrinologist,but she only focused on getting D & Reclast. I get that some Endocrinologist specialize in certain areas. Thyroid, which I take an RX for, there's diabetes, adrenal, thymus, pituitary, lots of sub specialties. But right now I'm already dealing with a debilitating illness that's progressive &has contributed to my osteo. I also need a lot of dental work that hasn't been done due to my health. Thanks for the thought. But just don't have the strength to start researching& looking for yet another serious health issue. I probably would do what you advised if my health wasn't already in such bad shape, especially at 67. Thanks for caring & giving me some info. I'm just going to let nature take it's course. Too long, too much.

[yogalibrarian in reply to MyCheesecake]

I don't know a lot about Michigan -- or distances between major population areas. But you might look at the directory on the Own the Bone (American Orthopaedic Association) website --

ownthebone.org/recognition/...

It might be a good place to start if any of those centers is within a couple of hours of you.