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Should I Get A New Gi Doc?

Helena

By Helena
in Doctors

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Helena Contributor
Helena
Posted

My GI doc is a lot better than others I've heard about. He suggested testing for celiac within the first few minutes of the appointment although my symptoms were mild----he ordered a blood test then and there but warned me that it would not be accurate because I was on a virtually gluten free diet already. After I was on gluten for awhile for testing purposes, he recommended cancelling the biopsy (long story here) and affirmed my decision to go gluten free (especially after the blood tests were more positive when he repeated them.)

So far so good. But now it doesn't seem to me that there is much of a point in going to follow up appointments. I was surprised that he didn't order tests for nutritional deficiencies---I asked my family doctor to do that for me. She didn't order the tests for the fat soluble vitamins, however. I later asked my GI doctor about those tests specifically--he did order some tests but not for vitamins A and D like I expected.

I'm not sure I even need to worry about nutritional deficiencies at this point because all of the tests (including the bone densitrometry) have come back normal. But I'm not sure what the point is to go to follow up appointments if they just consist of him asking me how I'm doing. ?? How experienced can he be with celiac patients if he doesn't test them for nutritional deficiencies after diagnosis?

Then again, I don't want to go to someone else who insists on me having the biopsy . . .

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Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

my gi didn't have me do any follow up with him, I do all my follow ups with my primary care dr.

Mountain Mama Rookie
Mountain Mama
Posted
my gi didn't have me do any follow up with him, I do all my follow ups with my primary care dr.

Same here. He sent me a letter that states I have celiac in case I need it for traveling or something and he called me a few times and told me to follow up with my reg dr. She tested my iron and vit d and stuff and told me to take perscrip iron and come back for a blood test in 3 mos.

Guest cassidy
Guest cassidy
Posted

If you are concerned about specific tests you could always call and leave a message for the nurse who can ask the doctor about it. I wouldn't see the point of going back if he is just going to check up on you.

My doctor didn't order an additional tests at all either. I wanted to get pregnant and asked if there was anything that we had to check and he said no, so I guess most people don't commonly test you for things.

Helena Contributor
Helena
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the replies. It makes me feel better knowing that other GI doctors don't tend to order these tests either. I do tend to rely on specialists rather than my family doctor . . . especially now that I don't have one (I moved recently--there aren't any doctors taking patients in the area.)

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