question about endo appointment

[mandy72]

is it normal to have to strip to undies for examination of your stomach and a lousy listen to chest and back

full post in the post section

[bantam12]

I would say defo not for an endo appt, never had to even for gastro or gyne.

[Moggie in reply to bantam12]

You have never had your stomach examined in a gastro or gynae appt? I have been to see both in the last month and both wanted to examine my stomach. I suppose it depends on what you are going to see them for.

Moggie x

[bantam12 in reply to Moggie]

What I meant was in have never had to strip off to undies to be examined.

[Moggie in reply to bantam12]

Ooooo right - thought it was a bit strange that you hadn't been examined.

Moggie x

[Moggie]

Not for thyroid troubles it isn't (well not the ones I have been to anyway) but you where complaining about heart issues and lack of oxygen weren't you so I suppose it is understandable that he wanted to check things out.

Moggie x

[mandy72 in reply to Moggie]

he didnt even check properly the stethascope was on and off

and he concentrated on my stomach

[Moggie in reply to mandy72]

Why didn't you ask him why he felt in necessary to examine your stomach - its not to late, you could always write him a letter and ask.

Moggie x

[mandy72 in reply to Moggie]

to be honest i just didnt give it a thought at the time.....if im honest i dont even think he had a clue what he was doing normally when heart is being listened to i get to do a few good breaths in and out i didnt even manage a breath with him.....i got out to the car and just felt like crying yet another dr whos not interested

[bantam12 in reply to mandy72]

My endo checked my stomach but I didn't strip off.

[mandy72 in reply to bantam12]

is there a reason they check stomach?

[Moggie in reply to bantam12]

I wonder why they do this? What are they looking for - sluggish bowels maybe? I will be asking my endo (if I remember) next time I see him.

Moggie x

[bantam12 in reply to Moggie]

Imagine they are checking glands and looking for enlarged liver,spleen,pancreas and such like

[Katkin1]

My endo checked my stomach and listened to my back but I just moved clothing out of the way - I think to see if there was anything else going on. So sorry you had such a rubbish experience.

[Heloise]

It's a difficult question for others to answer but as I look back, there were definitely signs that it was NOT necessary for certain exams..... like a sore throat.... but if you are young and doctors still intimidate you, you don't question. I think If you are uncomfortable doing anything they ask, ask them why it's necessary. I assure you that some times it is not.

[Hennerton]

I just saw a new endo and had to strip to underwear too. There was a nurse present all the time. He checked scar from thyoidectomy in 2006, heart, lungs, stomach, ankles, knees ( I was complaining they were stiff ) and reflexes on ankles and knees. Took loads of blood too and then looked in a darkened room at the backs of my eyes. I did feel be was very thorough. Now awaiting results of tests.

I hope you get news that helps you and a decent dose of medication if you need it. xx

[Hidden]

I just had reflexes tested, and in an instant the it's not your thyroid causing symptoms of being cold tired etc etc, you're over medicated. That was the jist of my appointment. He did say my tongue was red and swollen, as I'd stuck it out to show him. Nothing at all regarding examining my stomach. I didn't have to strip off and wear a gown or anything.

[susymac]

I had my stomach and abdomen examined by cardio when I was under them, I also though it was odd, but apparently its not

I didnt have to remove the bottom half of my clothing, just the top half other than my bra, but different doctors do different things.

[Alli1]

Yes I had a full exam with both Endos that I have seen in the past ( on first consultations) I would deem it to be important as the thyroid has an impact on so many other systems in the body and also as thyroid symptoms can be very vague I guess they are covering themselves as well as taking a good history ( which is not just verbal)

[Ansteynomad]

I had fourteen endo appointments over a four and a half year period. At all these appointments an HCA did weight and BP before I saw the doctor, but none of the ten doctors I saw at these appointments carried out any form of physical examination whatsoever. None of them even touched me at all.

[Barbaraj]

Yes, this is correct practise. I have chaperoned countless doctors throughout my nursing career and a thorough physical examination is necessary to arrive at a correct diagnosis and to exclude other conditions. I hope this reassures you.

[mandy72 in reply to Barbaraj]

i wouldnt say it was a thorough exam i was told to breath deep through my mouth and stethascope was removed before i had even breathed in the same on my back....a few gentle feels around my stomach

no check for swelling and my thyroid was not touched

[Hennerton]

Yes, that is what I told him but he isn't accepting it. Told me I am on too much!

[Hidden]

I know reallyfedup123, it's unbelievable! I dropped 200mcg levo but kept the 3 grains of armour, now my temps are down to what they were 2 years ago when I first got diagnosed.

I wrote and challenged him, but all that got ignored and I just had an "i can understand your distress" I had put a copy of something a pharmasist wrote out for me saying my absorption of levo would be affected by at least 20% due to a drug I take that causes changes in liver enzymes. The pharmacist said I'd never do well on thyroid meds, totally ignored. Re B12 I was diagnosed low by the NHS 10 years ago, so god knows that would mean really low, he had no idea why B12 is so important in conversion, his was response was "i'm not a haemotologist" I mean I had that appointment with him, had the synacthen test, and nothing has been resolved and i'm not seeing him again! It's too ridiculous for words!

[Barbaraj]

I have no explanation for this except unless he already knew that you were being treated for hypothyroidism and was looking for other explanations of your on-going symptoms? What I was trying to say that there isn't anything sinister about his palpating your abdomen. It may be a good idea to make another appointment to see him so that he can explain his methodology. I have disagreements with my endo so it isn't that I'm just defending his corner - I know that some areas of thyroid treatment are sadly lacking in the UK - hence my joining this site!