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Hello everyone,
I got a post from a lovely woman in the Chicago area. As you'll read below, she has some health issues and she is tired of hopping from doctor to doctor. She is hoping to find one physician in the Chicago, IL area who can help her.
In looking over her three conditions, I'm not sure if she would be best served by a good endocrinologist, or a primary care physician, or maybe even an OB/GYN who is well-versed in hormones and thyroid. What do you think? Do you know anyone in that area of the country who might help her and what type of doctor would you think is best to tackle all three health issues? Thank you so much everyone--I know you'll be able to come up with some great ideas. M
"I am a 54 year old active female that was diagnosis with Osteoporosis, Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Vitamin D Deficiency about a year ago.
My problem is that I cannot find a Dr. that can treat these health problems I'm bouncing from one Dr. to another Dr. I need one Dr. that
can treat all of my health issues. I live in Chicago. Can you give me some input where I can go or see. I do have great Health Insurance.
Thank you."
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Michelle, this is an example of our fragmented medical model. We have become a country of specialtists with each specialty treating a part of the body alone. The human body functioning does not work fragmented. What this lady needs is a physician that can offer a WHOLISTIC approach to her care. Notice I said WHOLISTIC with "WH" and not "holistic". The best type of doctor for her to consider is one of those doctors who practice Integratrive or Functional Medicine. Here are a couple of possible sources:
www.functionalmedicine.org
www.acam.org
http://www.integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/about/alumni.html?state=IL
(this last one lists those physicians who have completed a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine from the University of Arizona where Dr Andrew Weil is Director)
I hope this helps.
April 13, 2009 - 9:39pmThis Comment
Hi, Michelle! And hello to your writer from Chicago!
Nothing beats personal recommendations, so I'm with you in hoping that our readers will come through with some doctors and experiences of our own.
It would also help to know what kind of doctors that your writer has dealt with primarily in the past. Did she happen to mention this?
In the meantime, however, it seems like an ob/gyn with expertise in menopausal issues might be the best place to start, since osteoporosis, hormonal issues and thyroid issues are so often linked.
I found The Women's Group of Northwestern, a Chicago office with two locations that has eight female doctors on its staff, plus certified nurse practitioners. You can click on each doctor's name and find out details about her specialties and interests:
http://www.womenobgyn.net/doctors.php
It may be that this would be the best situation for your writer, since the doctors in this office no doubt work together on patients with multiple issues.
I notice that Dr. Elena M. Kamel specializes in, among other things, osteoporosis, dual photon bone densitometry and menopausal health concerns.
I actually called their office to see if anyone there also had an expertise in hyperthyroidism. They did not, but they work closely and refer their patients to a group of six endocrinologists in the city:
Sobel Medical Associates
30 No. Michigan Ave
312-726-0005
These are just a couple of leads. Let's hope that Chicago area women will rally to the cause!
April 13, 2009 - 9:54amThis Comment