Last Updated on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 08:10
Written by Melinda
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
Tuesday afternoon I had a doctor’s appointment. This time, I was seeing a new gynecologist for information on BHRT (Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy). She is supposed to be really good in her field… and so I presented my paperwork along with my weight charts, self analysis charts on different hormone conditions marking which symptoms I had, oh just all kinds of paperwork that I have been keeing on my computer! They don’t call me the Spreadsheet Queen for nothing!! It’s just that I am very self aware and monitor all of my health issues so that NOTHING can take me by suprise or catch me off guard. If my weight vascilates, I go back to my handy dandy spreadsheet and try to figure out WHY.
The gyn took a look at the different complaints and gave her plan of care. She would go ahead and perform the yearly physical and order blood tests for a full thyroid panel workup. And, she did order a DEXA bone scan to be done as I do have possible issues with malnutrition/absorption (not that I DO, just that it is POSSIBLE as a wls patient). She suggested that I see an endocrinologist, and gave me the name of one here in Nashville who specializes in PCOS issues. She plain and simply said to me, “We just don’t know enough about bariatric patients at this point.” BINGO! Why oh why did I know this would be the case? Even the compounding pharmacist told me the exact same thing a few weeks back when I consulted with him regarding natural hormones.
She did provide a few interesting details that I believe have helped calm me down and not be so spazzed out. First of all, she suggested NOT removing the Mirena. She said that it was over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy, and that is not an option for me at this time! I do not need or want a pregnancy at this stage in my life. She also said that given the nature of my absorption issues, and the past hormone problems, she felt that the Mirena was the best form of treatment. However, she was putting off any labwork or further studies such as the ultrasound that I requested of my ovaries. She said that she will leave the testing up to the Endo so that he can include everything up front that he thinks he might need.
I questioned whether or not I had PCOS/Insulin Resistance. Do I? Don’t I? Who knows! Supposedly its cured after wls. But then again, when I re-read the study that was done, it was only on one year postops. I have not read anything about two or three year postops… And maybe I am making much ado about nothing… since the gyn said that it is possible that Mirena can be causing some of these symptoms as it does mock menopause. As to whether I will be taking BHRT? She states at this time, she is not so certain that I need it and again, referred me to Endo. More to come.
