Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can go to Labcorp and pay $100 to find out if your gyno is bullshitting you for cash, btw.

Can you explain this? Serious question because I would love to pay $100 to get info that can help me.

Labcorp On Demand offers a menopause test that checks your hormone levels. You have two vials of blood drawn preferably on day 3 of your cycle (if you still have one). HTH

A gynecologist told me I was peri three years ago. She refused to give me the test when I requested it. So I did this instead.

I had my hormone levels tested when I was 34 and they were identical to that test. I’m 42.

I switched gynecologists and found one that wasn’t pushy or a salesman first.

These menopause tests aren't as accurate as you may think. Perimenopause is marked by fluctuating hormone levels - some days/months you may be "normal", while others you may be low on estrogen. This is why perimenopause is generally diagnosed by symptoms and not blood tests.

You have to get them more than once to establish a pattern but they are far more reliable than anecdotal reflections.

"Anecdotal reflections." Lol. You mean a history of unbearable hot flashes, lack of sleep, brain fog, weight gain, and a horribly heavy period every 3 to 4 months? You think a few FSH tests are "far more reliable" than that? No.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lanoff at Reiter Hill (DC, sorry not VA.)

Second this recommendation for Jennifer Lanoff. She is a member of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and you can find others by searching their directory: https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx. I've also had a positive experience with www.midi.com and know that there are other telehealth services that specialize in peri/menopause.

Third recommendation for Jennifer Lanoff. She's at Reiter Hill now and takes insurance, which is a great bonus. She listened to my symptoms when my PCP ignored my borderline labs and wanted to treat the brain fog, insomnia, and stress/anxiety all separately. Like a PP, I felt better within days of starting HRT and am reducing and/or weaning off all of the other meds from my PCP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can go to Labcorp and pay $100 to find out if your gyno is bullshitting you for cash, btw.

Can you explain this? Serious question because I would love to pay $100 to get info that can help me.

Labcorp On Demand offers a menopause test that checks your hormone levels. You have two vials of blood drawn preferably on day 3 of your cycle (if you still have one). HTH

A gynecologist told me I was peri three years ago. She refused to give me the test when I requested it. So I did this instead.

I had my hormone levels tested when I was 34 and they were identical to that test. I’m 42.

I switched gynecologists and found one that wasn’t pushy or a salesman first.

These menopause tests aren't as accurate as you may think. Perimenopause is marked by fluctuating hormone levels - some days/months you may be "normal", while others you may be low on estrogen. This is why perimenopause is generally diagnosed by symptoms and not blood tests.

You have to get them more than once to establish a pattern but they are far more reliable than anecdotal reflections.

Practitioners look at symptoms and the whole clinical health picture, including health history, not just labs.

Not in my experience. The gyno practice that I just left which is very popular in the DMV diagnosed me with perimenopause based on my birthdate.

I’ll take the labs over any doctor’s clinical opinion on this matter. Too much profiteering in women’s healthcare especially women 40 and over.

I do not believe anyone should take what labs say only. Everyone is different, their bodies are different, their needs and requirements are different. To simply look at a number and expect it to be the right number for everyone is ridiculous. Think of it this way you go to a shoe store and you ask for a size 8, the sales person brings out a 10. You ask why, you remind them you asked for an 8. They respond with the typical range for that shoe is between 6 and 12, therefore you’re within range. Do you think you would be comfortable walking around in a 6, 20 or 12? Of course not, so why would you simply accept within range as being acceptable for what your needs are? That in itself is the importance of looking at the whole picture the patient brings, labs and symptoms.

Do any of these doctors or practices offer injections? If so, do they offer them for testosterone? I currently have a protocol that includes testosterone and estrogen injections, and I use a progesterone cream that I get from Amazon. The pill form of progesterone causes significant weight gain and bloating.

Anonymous wrote:Lanoff at Reiter Hill (DC, sorry not VA.)

Second this recommendation for Jennifer Lanoff. She is a member of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and you can find others by searching their directory: https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx. I've also had a positive experience with www.midi.com and know that there are other telehealth services that specialize in peri/menopause.

Anonymous wrote:Is there anything these providers can offer beyond HRT? I’ve had a rough year with perimenopause - the whole enchilada of weight gain, insomnia, hot flashes, depression, and rage. I finally went to my primary care doctor and laid it all out for him, told him I wanted hormones and he wrote it on the spot. I felt so much better within days.

Interestingly, I had insurance problems and couldn’t get a refil and was out for two weeks after I had been on estrogen for about 4 months. My symptoms didn’t return, so while I have my prescription I haven’t taken it. I dunno what’s going on, but the hormones got me through a pretty terrible phase.

I have the same question. Is else other HRT should a GYN or menopause provide? I would appreciate more information as a menopause specialist would be an out of pocket costs for me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can go to Labcorp and pay $100 to find out if your gyno is bullshitting you for cash, btw.

Can you explain this? Serious question because I would love to pay $100 to get info that can help me.

Labcorp On Demand offers a menopause test that checks your hormone levels. You have two vials of blood drawn preferably on day 3 of your cycle (if you still have one). HTH

A gynecologist told me I was peri three years ago. She refused to give me the test when I requested it. So I did this instead.

I had my hormone levels tested when I was 34 and they were identical to that test. I’m 42.

I switched gynecologists and found one that wasn’t pushy or a salesman first.

These menopause tests aren't as accurate as you may think. Perimenopause is marked by fluctuating hormone levels - some days/months you may be "normal", while others you may be low on estrogen. This is why perimenopause is generally diagnosed by symptoms and not blood tests.

You have to get them more than once to establish a pattern but they are far more reliable than anecdotal reflections.

Practitioners look at symptoms and the whole clinical health picture, including health history, not just labs.

Not in my experience. The gyno practice that I just left which is very popular in the DMV diagnosed me with perimenopause based on my birthdate.

I’ll take the labs over any doctor’s clinical opinion on this matter. Too much profiteering in women’s healthcare especially women 40 and over.

Is there anything these providers can offer beyond HRT? I’ve had a rough year with perimenopause - the whole enchilada of weight gain, insomnia, hot flashes, depression, and rage. I finally went to my primary care doctor and laid it all out for him, told him I wanted hormones and he wrote it on the spot. I felt so much better within days.

Interestingly, I had insurance problems and couldn’t get a refil and was out for two weeks after I had been on estrogen for about 4 months. My symptoms didn’t return, so while I have my prescription I haven’t taken it. I dunno what’s going on, but the hormones got me through a pretty terrible phase.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can go to Labcorp and pay $100 to find out if your gyno is bullshitting you for cash, btw.

Can you explain this? Serious question because I would love to pay $100 to get info that can help me.

Labcorp On Demand offers a menopause test that checks your hormone levels. You have two vials of blood drawn preferably on day 3 of your cycle (if you still have one). HTH

A gynecologist told me I was peri three years ago. She refused to give me the test when I requested it. So I did this instead.

I had my hormone levels tested when I was 34 and they were identical to that test. I’m 42.

I switched gynecologists and found one that wasn’t pushy or a salesman first.

These menopause tests aren't as accurate as you may think. Perimenopause is marked by fluctuating hormone levels - some days/months you may be "normal", while others you may be low on estrogen. This is why perimenopause is generally diagnosed by symptoms and not blood tests.

You have to get them more than once to establish a pattern but they are far more reliable than anecdotal reflections.

Practitioners look at symptoms and the whole clinical health picture, including health history, not just labs.

I see Lyndsay at Dr. Melinda Hall's office. Would recommend. You can submit for annual visits at an out of network reimbursement level. The six month visit fees are out of pocket. Lab fees a couple times per year are covered like any other. The actual scripts and supplements are not outrageous but not cheap either. I probably pay between 1 k to $1400 out of pocket per year for the prescriptions (progesterone and testosterone cream are from compounded pharmacy, estradiol patch is through regular pharmacy and covered by insurance, supplements can be found on amazon like Dim, GEHA, Pregnanolone and I deduct them as medical expenses on my taxes.

Another vote for Ingrid Winterling at Healthcare for Women. I have seen her at both their Falls Church and Reston locations.

Lanoff at Reiter Hill (DC, sorry not VA.)

https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx

Winterling takes insurance, Simon does not.

Ingrid Winterling at Healthcare for Women in Falls Church City.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can go to Labcorp and pay $100 to find out if your gyno is bullshitting you for cash, btw.

Can you explain this? Serious question because I would love to pay $100 to get info that can help me.

Labcorp On Demand offers a menopause test that checks your hormone levels. You have two vials of blood drawn preferably on day 3 of your cycle (if you still have one). HTH

A gynecologist told me I was peri three years ago. She refused to give me the test when I requested it. So I did this instead.

I had my hormone levels tested when I was 34 and they were identical to that test. I’m 42.

I switched gynecologists and found one that wasn’t pushy or a salesman first.

These menopause tests aren't as accurate as you may think. Perimenopause is marked by fluctuating hormone levels - some days/months you may be "normal", while others you may be low on estrogen. This is why perimenopause is generally diagnosed by symptoms and not blood tests.

You have to get them more than once to establish a pattern but they are far more reliable than anecdotal reflections.