I realise this may sound strange but, lately, I have been trying to figure out if my so called hormone doctor is a good doctor or not, at least as far as I'm concerned...so I'd appreciate any feedback on the treatment so far (first visit to doctor in late 2011):
- I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and put on Medrol, 4-6 mg daily. The reason for this was that I had a tendency to retain fluid (hypothyroid after ten years on T4 only?), and that hydrocortisone would only make this worse. I took Medrol for three years, felt good on it, no discussion about that, but eventually managed to wean off it. Today, I take adrenal cortex only and hope I'll never have to go back on Medrol. From what I've gathered, Medrol is used for chronic inflammatory diseases, not adrenal fatigue.
- I was told (I was 42 at the time and still having regular periods) that I needed both estrogen and progesterone because I suffer from adrenal fatigue. However, I know now that sex hormones in women are mainly produced in the ovaries, not the adrenal glands...also, after displaying the first signs of (peri)menopause (starting about six months ago) I have done a lot of research, and most articles I've found written by doctors say women who are still having periods should not be on estrogen, only progesterone, as progesterone levels will start falling drastically in a woman's mid-30 already, whereas her estrogen levels won't drop noticeably until she's fully menopausal (so after twelve consecutive months without a period). I'm not there yet.
- my latest labs (from August) showed out of range sex hormone-binding globuline leves which, I've found out later, are indicative of either hyperthyroidism or elevated estrogen levels (or possibly both). True, my FT3 levels were out of range, and I've since cut back on Thyroid-S. But my doctor never even mentioned the SHBG...although my estrogen levels on day 21 of cycle (so luteal phase) were out of range as well, and more in line with what they'd look like during the ovulatory phase, when they are significantly higher. But doctor just renewed my prescription for estrogen.
All these things combined have made me start doubting my doctor...having been trained by the great Thierry Hertoghe may not be enough in all cases...!
What do you think? Does this sound like a good doctor, or should I look elsewhere...? To be honest, I don't even know why I'm seeing a so called Hertoghe doctor anymore...I originally went there because I wanted NDT which is available at a fraction of the cost from Thailand. I no longer take prescription drugs for my adrenals. Progesterone is available on Biovea and from lots of other reputable sellers. And, since I have no intention of injecting myself with human growth hormone (another reason many patients go to see Hertoghe doctors), I really don't know why I should spend all that money on labs and doctor's fees...?!