The Endocrinologist Visit

Someone reading this blog for the first time may be a bit confused by the title of this particular blog entry, and I can see why:  Gastroparesis and Endocrinology do not appear to really mix very well.     The endocrine system does not include the stomach, after all - it includes the glands that control hormones (thyroid, pancreas, etc.).    However, the endocrine system (like many systems in our bodies) is quite complex - and the stomach actually does perform secondary tasks for the endocrine system.   This is where I sometimes think "specialists" can actually end up not being as useful as you would hope; especially specialists who may be unwilling to think outside the box.  The cause of your stomach issues can come from many different sources.  It is like a pinball machine - you may aim for one section of the board you wish to hit, and it causes a chain reaction, where it bounces all over the board, including places you did intend for it to go.   The same type of thing can happen to your body - one system goes out of whack, and it causes a chain reaction where many different things start going wrong.   

As I mentioned in a previous post, Colleen had one test which showed a very low cortisol number.  As I have stated many times in this blog, it is just a number on a page - in and of itself, a number that shows up on a blood draw is essentially meaningless.  No doctor can look at a number and tell you that you have a disease, or tell you that your are healthy.  Numbers are a guide - and always remember one thing about the "ranges" you see on the side of the page:  Those numbers weren't just picked out of a hat, nor are they 100% reliable.  They are statistical - you look at people who are healthy, see what their numbers are for various factors, and come up with a suitable range.   It is very possible to be 100% healthy and have numbers slightly out of range.  But the reverse is also true:  You can be sick as a dog but have blood work that looks normal.  No doctor should tell you that you are healthy or sick based on a blood draw - IT IS IMPOSSIBLE.

As for Colleen's visit, we didn't exactly learn anything revolutionary - however, the doctor did seem knowledgeable in his field, which is the most important thing at this point.   Many specialists can come off with a bit of an attitude - the attitude that "I am the specialist, you are the patient - just listen to me".  In some cases, I understand where they are coming from.  However, a doctor should always be willing to listen to a patient who questions things.   Patients indeed are not doctors, nor are most of them medically trained.  They should have the right to ask questions about treatment options, etc.   Being someone who is good at computers, if I recommend to someone that they should replace their hard drive, their first instinct shouldn't be "Sure.  I'll do it today!".  The first thing out of their mouth should be "Why?"    That is how the doctor-patient relationship should work.   Patients should be allowed to ask why - and shouldn't be afraid to do so.

Anyway, as I said above, one cortisol number was not going to lead to anything revolutionary.  Colleen now has to take a second cortisol test, including a 24-hour urine test.  It likely is as tedious as it sounds.   The problem is we have been hit with some snow in this area, and she has to do the test in a fashion where as soon as she is done, she has to get the container to the lab.   We can't sit on it for a day or two.

There are a few other things he seems to be looking for; I don't know if any of these tests would give us a clearer picture on diseases such as Addison's Disease, but I do think he is following protocol with what he is doing.  Colleen will see him again in a few weeks.  It is possible that she will once again be referred to a university hospital for further testing.

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season.  And since this is a blog dedicated to health, here is to a healthy 2014 for everyone.......