Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

I am a regular poster on here but I'd like to keep private because I don't know who lurks on these boards.

I recently went to the doctor to go over bloodwork results and was taken back by a few comments.

I have lost a little bit of weight over the past few months and I went to the doctor out of concern. She sent me to get bloodwork and it came back that my thyroid is slightly overactive. She recommended that I see an endocrinologist as well as a nutritionist. As we discussed the benefits of a nutritionist the doctor hinted to the fact that they could rule out any eating disorders. I was so taken back by this as I eat normally and a ton of food at that! She then asked if an eating disorder was a possibility. We never discussed this at our initial meeting and I was very taken back that this was brought up. I understand it is the doctors job but it made me so uncomfortable! She continued to discuss it as this was the problem and I sat there telling her that I eat!!!!

How would you feel if the conversation turned like this? It's making me so upset!

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

wow, that's taking it to the left!

are you underweight?

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

I had a doctor do this to me when I lost a bit of weight in college. I worked at the hospital where his daughter was a med student and WAS very anorexic. It was pretty outstanding that he would bring this up to me when his daughter was and still a walking skeleton!! I never respected him after this..


As for you.. if you had an eating disorder you wouldn't have went to him out of concern when you lost weight!

I think it was responsible of him to bring it up though. Maybe he just went about it in the wrong way. After he was clear that it wasn't the problem he should have dropped it.

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

I get where your dr is coming from. I'm going through something similar (although my thyroid is fine) My dr also asked me if I had any eating disorders. I think it's a fair question.

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

i can understand the doc asking you once maybe even twice because if you truly had an eating disorder you wouldn't admit it right away, but to keep harping on it seems a bit much,
i would hope the doc was just asking out of concern with you understanding that as i said most people with eating disorders would not admit it
i would probably just let it go and take is as your doc being concerned and trying to find out what is going on with you

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

You need a new doctor. Sorry to be so blunt but thyroid issues cause rapid weight loss and weight gain. Sometimes I am a twig and other times I am normal weight, I eat like a horse ALL the time. If you need an endo send me a fm.

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

When my thyroid was overactive I dropped weight like crazy - I don't know how many people asked or suspected I had an eating disorder. My metobolism, heart rate, etc was in overdrive.

As long as you know you are eating enough and healthy, follow up with the Endo ASAP - an overactive thyroid needs to get back under control.

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

Where in Suffolk are you looking for a endocrinologist? There are a few i found one is in Stony Brook, Smithtown,Ronkonkoma,Medford.

Message edited 9/11/2008 7:34:24 PM.

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

I am a bit surprised by the comment.

Weight loss, feeling hot, restless are the very first signs of a hyper active thyroid.

If you were not eating, your metabolism would be shot.

I can understand asking if you were eating but she should have wording in a professional medical manner i.e. "In order for me to understand further the issue, I will need to ask you a few questions on your eating habits" "how many meals do you eat per day?" "What are the portions?". Then DROP IT once you told her that you eat regular meal in good quantities and refer you to a nutrisionist.

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

I would just take it as the doctor doing their job...they have to cover all possibilites,just in case.

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

I dunno, it's simply not logical for the Dr. to ask you this...

People with eating disorders avoid the topic.. they don't go to the Dr. to find out why they're losing weight

I frankly find it especially odd that he found your thyroid to be mildly overactive and he STILL pressed the issue relentlessly.

I understand his perspective (covering all the bases), but it inherently does not fit your behavior (actively seeking medical attention) or your blood results.
That alone makes me think you should seek out another physician.

I tend to select physicians who work at teaching hospitals like stony brook, becuase they're usually more current with the literature, not to mention basic psychological training so you wouldn't be pegged as a person with an eating disorder

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

As someone who has a history of an eating disorder I wish my doctor would have asked me about it when I was struggling years ago. I wouldn't feel offended or upset. This person is just looking out for your health

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

Thank you for everyones responses on this situation. As soon as I spoke with my husband I felt so much better.

Now it's onto getting my thyroid condition under control!

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

I would think given that the blood work said your thyroid was overactive that should have been enough for him unless you are sooooooo skinny that looking at you might immediately concern him. Definitely follow up with an endo

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

I think its a fair question, but besides weight they sometimes look for other signs like red throat, tooth decay, loss of period, even bruising on your fingers

Re: Can anyone give me their perspective on this?

Given your blood work results Iw ould be taken back if it was asked more then once. Thats weird.