Arrogant Doctors

[babakk]

Hi, I was referred to an Endocrinologist who before I even had a chance to open my mouth started with such gross generalisations that made me walk out without saying a word.
I think it must have been because of the content of the referral letter. I want to write to him and challenge him over some of his overgeneralisations but I wandered if I can check one of them here:

Can one claim that everything is normal if the only piece of information you have is a plasma concentration of 826 of Cortisol from a blood sample taken at mid-day (12:00 O'clock)?

From all the graphs I have seen that is way above normal for that time of the day. I know a single test doesn't tell us anything and the sample should have probably taken much earlier in the morning but that was not my fault. That was the labs fault who gave me the appointment who by the way is part of the same hospital's NHS trust in UK.

But he told me that it was completely normal and didn't require further investiation.

Wouldn't you say that what he said is inaccurate to say the least?

Thank you for your response.

[babakk]

I am trying to but my problem is that my GP didn't even know what DHEA is and I showed him the cortisol/day time graph, he couldn't read it, bless his heart!!

I always thought he was a nice guy but I am starting to doubt him. He didn't agree with me when I told him about possiblity of problems with my hormone levels and I showed him the results I got from a US lab on my saliva samples. Therefore I am thinking that it was him who put something in the referal letter which made that idiot behave that way.

I am seeing him next week.

[allmymarbles]

Why don't you go back to the doctor who originally made the referral and take the matter up with him? I presume he is a GP. It is possible that he noticed other symptoms that made him send you to an endocrinologist. The endocrinologist is obviously a jerk if he does not know how glean information from patients. Go back to the first doctor and tell him how you feel about the referral and ask him what he thinks is wrong with you and why.

[Lanie46]

Yes, not only many doctors are arrogant, their notes in one's medical file can possibly be less than complimentary. I found this out by accident by requesting a copy of my medical files for other purposes. Fortunately, I have a new doc since, but the notes in my file are permanent until I request an amendment to those such notes. Therefore, I am very reluctant to call or see a doctor unless it's urgent. Sad.

[stella5349]

It is tough to find a good doctor to really look at it all. AND if you are miserable with normal range labs and tests - having them take a look at just you is even tougher.

[mumofR]

Had enough of arrogant, ignorant doctors! Good luck getting a good one!

Our GP told me to my face about a week before my son had his diagnosis that there was NOTHING wrong with him and I had to stop making a fuss!

There are too many docs who dont know what they are talking about and endager lives with their arrogance.

[rumpled]

Yes, your doctor is suffering from only being able to see out of his navel because his head is stuck somewhere.

When the diurnal rhythm of cortisol is off, there are problems. It should be investigated. I would try to get your regular doctor to get testing at the times that are acceptable to even the endummies - 8am, 2pm and mignight (usually saliva since most labs, except hospitals, are closed at that hour) and do it several times to get more of a picture of where you are.

Cortisol varies, yes. but even so, they know when it is abnormal. Er, the good doctors know.