Endocrinologist or Gynaecologist?

Miss Lockhart

I'm interested to know more about the crossover of interest that can occur between these two areas and who or what defines which area should deal with illness that concerns both specialities. Many reproductive diseases and fertility problems are caused by hormonal abnormalities - for example PCOS and hyperprolactinaemia. It seems unclear who should be treating these problems - it seems (to a layman) to depend on the referring GP's preference. So, in short, is there an accepted medical convention on who treats such problems or does it just depend?

tallaght01

I'm happy for this thread to be left here, as long as it stays very very general, and doesn't deal with the OPs own medical situation at all.

Miss Lockhart

Thanks. I'm honestly just looking to find out more about how these decisions are made in general - as in is there a system or guidelines or whatever or if it varies by who is referring. Just genuinely interested.

ballsymchugh

have you never seen house?? every doctor knows their limits and knows when to ask and who to ask. your gp will base his call on what's the most likely. if there's another issue there, then the specialist he refers to will refer on.

charlieroot

The only thing I can add is that in Hospitals I've done rotations in (I'm a med student) that patients with PCOS are definitely treated by the endocrinology team. I'm almost sure that they also treat hyperprolactinaemia. However, there are no gynaecologists working there.

AmcD

So far in my experience PCOS has been left to the gynaecologists because the treatment depends on whether the woman wants to conceive or not. PCOS might be looked after by an endocrinologist if there was associated glucose intolerance or diabetes.
There is plenty of cross-over between many specialists for many complaints. Spinal surgery is a territorial war between orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Hand injuries are looked after by orthopaedic surgeons and plastic surgeons. Chest pain could end up under cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology or rheumatology depending on how investigations go.

_Whimsical_

I have noticed that there is a regular PCOS clinic in the Endocrinology unit that I attend in Galway.
Can't hyperprolactinaemia affect both sexes? I'd have thought that an endocrinologist would naturally be the first point of referal for the investigation/treatment of it.

Marronn05

<request for medical advice edited out by moderator>

drzhivago

Miss Lockhart wrote: »

I'm interested to know more about the crossover of interest that can occur between these two areas and who or what defines which area should deal with illness that concerns both specialities. Many reproductive diseases and fertility problems are caused by hormonal abnormalities - for example PCOS and hyperprolactinaemia. It seems unclear who should be treating these problems - it seems (to a layman) to depend on the referring GP's preference. So, in short, is there an accepted medical convention on who treats such problems or does it just depend?

If PCOS with gynae symptoms dominant ie pelvic pain, cyst rupture, gynaecologist often take lead but usually Endocrinologist

If people have fertility issues GP often sends straight to Gynae even if they dont specialise in the are as there may not be an endcrinologist there, patient may end up being referred endo eventually

There is not a convention, it really depends on which symptoms dominate, what is most urgent problem for patient and what services are available ( and accessible) locally

ChewChew

As a patient with PCOS and hypothyroidism I was originally referred to the Endo consultant for thyroid management and it was with his help that the PCOS was diagnosed but because I do not want to conceive he is not going to send me to a gynae as he is managing it perfectly well.