*grumbles*

[danaeris]

So, in an attempt to identify the cause of my depression and anxiety issues, I've been asking for a number of tests from my doctor. The thyroid test came up normal, so next I asked for a check on PCOS.

Yesterday morning I had a pelvic ultrasound and a vaginal ultrasound (the ultrasonic dildo wand!).
I'm also supposed to get some blood tests done (to check for hormonal imbalances, I imagine).

This morning I got a call from the doctor's office, and they want an appointment to discuss the results. Last time I needed an appointment with Zazulak, it was 2-3 months. They've put me down to see her on June 22 at 10:30 (the other option was an appointment on the 29th with someone else on her team).

In light of responses to a post I later deleted, I called the office and asked for Zazulak to call me back to let me know if the results were abnormal or not, and the response just came in: She'll discuss that at the appointment.

First: I want to kick something.
Second: This is a stupid way to handle things, especially with a patient with anxiety issues. Regardless of how much it is bothering me, on their part, it is stupid.
Third: I still want to kick something.

Anyone in Ontario have any thoughts or insights on what this might mean (if anything)? In particular, anyone who is attending Hamilton Health Sciences for their GP?

Comments

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Did I ask you already what TSH they called "normal"? What was the number?

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

I was stupid and didn't write it down. I hope if I ask to see the numbers they will let me.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Some doctors use old standards, and consider anything under 5 or 6 "normal." Really, if you have symptoms and are in the 2-5 range, you should be considered hypo.

[cortneyofeden.livejournal.com]

I don't know about where danaeris goes, but with my doctor, low is listed as 0.49 and high as 4.67. Mine was recently tested due to the doctor working towards eliminating possible other diagnoses and thinking I have PCOS. Mine was pretty reasonable, at 1.42.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

That's a fairly typical "normal" range at labs, but new American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologist standards put the upper end of that at "high" now. Some doctors just routinely treat 3+, some treat 2 or 3+ to 5 if the person has hypo symptoms, and not otherwise. Some, like the doctor one of my sisters saw, say 5.5 is normal or "borderline" and the symptoms are psychosomatic. My doctor said "we have to get you on treatment right away" at 5.6.

[cortneyofeden.livejournal.com]

Those numbers are from PAMF. I was told I was normal by the doctor. Since thyroid problems run in my family, it's good to know that it's within a reasonable range in general. I'm not sure if my doc requested that test due to general family health history, or due to attempting to diagnose PCOS.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

*nod* -- Even PAMF has fairly standard lab numbers for "normal," but my doctor at PAMF still watches me closely if I slide up between 2 and 3, and if I have symptoms, pushes me back below 2.

[thebitterguy]

As annoying as it is, I can only counsel patience. No doctor I've ever known has ever given me a test result over the phone.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

My doctor usually does give me test results over the phone, but I'm not in Ontario, I'm in California.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

One of the (very few, IMO) downsides of socialized medicine is that doctors can't bill OHIP for results over the phone. If they're going to charge the government for seeing you, they have to actually see you.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I'm almost positive my doctor doesn't bill my insurance for giving me results over the phone. I don't see them on my statements.

I do know that when I had no insurance and was paying cash for my medical bills, she didn't bill me for phone calls.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

Since our doctors are underpaid for the work they do in comparison to most in the States, they're prickly sometimes about what they charge for.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

That makes sense. I'm pretty sure my doctor's on salary, and doesn't get paid per appointment.

Doctors just starting out here don't make much, especially in comparison to their huge student loan debt and insurance costs, but eventually, doctors end up making reasonable amounts of money.

[angrykat.livejournal.com]

I got My last test result over the phone.n I have never had an issue with that.

[iclysdale.livejournal.com]

At least in a lot of cases, Ontario law forbids doctors from giving out test results over the phone, for what are actually some fairly good reasons. I did a quick look for references of where that is and isn't in the case, but didn't see anything in two minutes and didn't have much time to look much further.

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

Thanks for taking the moment to do the research... I looked around a little in response to your comment, and couldn't find anything... but there was stuff onOntario websites about doctors calling in results, so it isn't CATEGORICALLY against the law.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

Was that calling in results to another medical practitioner involved in the case, or to the patient? The former is quite common, the latter quite rare. The only medical result I've ever had over the phone was the result of a pregnancy test. Oh, and I think there was once when they did a throat swab, gave me a prescription for the antibiotic, and told me to call back in two days to find out if I should fill the prescription. For anything bigger than a simple blood test, you have to go in.

[cortneyofeden.livejournal.com]

Just curious...what about PCOS made you get there from anxiety and depression issues? I don't remember seeing anything about those in my reading about it.

Then again, I was immediately sent to get blood tests for possible diagnosis, and am now being sent to an endocrinologist. Where do the pelvic and vaginal ultrasounds come in? Looking for actual cysts or something?

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine was diagnosed with PCOS and apparently had depression related ot it. At the time the literature I read did list depression as being comorbid.

The ultrasounds are not conclusive, but will identify existing cysts. The blood tests are also necessary.

[cortneyofeden.livejournal.com]

Seems a reasonable reason, I just have never heard of folks coming to thinking that they may have PCOS from that direction before. It's usually due to more physical characteristics. Just finding it interesting.

It's very possible to have PCOS without any existing cysts for long periods of time, as the hormone imbalances are what have an effect on your whole system and thereby cause the cysts, if I understand it correctly. So yeah...having the blood tests are very very important. Considering how many I've had run, and no conclusive diagnosis either way (which I hope the endocrinologist who specializes in this crap can change)...it's not super easy to diagnose. Thankfully, once they know that, it's much easier to figure out a way to healthfully manage the symptoms. It's really really good to catch it at such a young age if you do indeed have PCOS (both the personal and general "you"). I'm torn between hoping that it is what's wrong with me and that I don't have it.

That it is the issue because it can be handled, and that it isn't because well...having PCOS can be a huge pain in the ass.

[tunape.livejournal.com]

it reminds me of a sign I saw at a hospital, "if blind, ring bell" What kind of idiot had that idea?

[epicureanangel.livejournal.com]

Wow.. that's the ultimate in stupidity.

[ubbaken.livejournal.com]

My family doc will do blood results over the phone, but they know my voice and always do a quick double check to make sure it's me. In general, though, I think they wouldn't want to say one way or the other. With something like hormone levels or screening such as you have had, the results could mean a multitude of things, and talking about it over the phone would limit discussion of it. If the doctor is going to explain things to you, it is easier for them to do so in person, they have their pamphlets, etc also to help. But yeah, I would say that it's a good practice to have, and that if it was overly serious they would make a consultation right away. As that isn't the case, whatever the news, it is unremarkable more than likely.

[epicureanangel.livejournal.com]

Out here in socal, my doctors wouldn't give me test results over the phone either.