I thought D.O.'s were supposed to be the better doctor

[Sunshine_67]

I was told D.O. doctors thought more out of the box because they studied beyond regular med school. I just called two D.O.'s yesterday and both only use blood tests for everything (thyroid, adrenals and hormones). I thought they would be the doctors who would know blood tests aren't accurate for all things, especially cortisol and sex hormones if you're already on bioidentical hormone replacement. Now I don't know who to call anymore.

[Sunshine_67]

Blood tests are not accurate for testing the active bioavailability of sex hormones in the cells and tissues. They only test what's in the blood stream. They aren't accurate for testing when a patient is using bioidentical topical creams. I've had two holistic doctors tell me this and have read numerous articles about which testing is correct depending on which type of hormones you're taking. Only urine and saliva tests can show the bioavailability of the transdermal cream in the tissue. Mainstream docs don't know this.

Unfortunately naturopaths aren't licensed in my state to prescribe meds so it would do no good to see one. They could do the correct testing, but herbs aren't strong enough for my problems.

[goolarra]

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.  Blood work can offer some important information.  The real test of whether a doctor can think outside the box is if he treats symptoms first and labs second.  I like to see labs, too...they can save you from making big mistakes.    

DOs dont have more education than MDs, it's just that they're taught a different approach...treating the whole patient.

[Barb135]

D.O. doctors tend to be more willing to integrate traditional medicine with alternatives, but they're still going to opt for traditional/accepted tests.  You might have to call a naturopath, if you want other tests, but those usually tend to be very expensive and most often, aren't covered by insurance; neither are many of the "non" blood tests, because they aren't recognized as accurate......

Even with bioidentical hormone replacement, blood tests should be accurate; mine always were.