re: Doctor referrals, cardiologist, & other stuff

quote:

---

My NP suggests I take a testosterone shot every now & then to boost my energy levels back up. I have been feeling a lil sluggish. 

---

No. No. Just no. Please don't do this. It's not only not indicated but likely to cause harm long-term. If you're feeling tired and sluggish, you need a workup. Not a random injection of a harmful substance.

Maybe you have been worked up and have low T. That would be a little different.

quote:

---

Now I would like to get a good check-up on the ole heart, stuff like an EKG, stress test, maybe an echo cardiograph. Heart conditions do run in my family so I want to check this out. 

---

Not indicated without symptoms.

quote:

---

I call my doctors office about this and they say I need come to them to do a 'referral' to see a cardiologist, so I have to take time out my busy schedule and come seem them just to have them 'refer' me to cardiologist

---

They want you to come in to know why you want to see a cardiologist. Based on the story presented, you don't need to see one.

quote:

---

Can't I just schedule a cardiologist and skip my primary doctor?

---

Depends on the cardiologist. But why would you want to see one without seeing your primary doctor?
1) you don't need these tests
2) most primary doctors order these tests when they're indicated and only send to the cardiologist with they need to. The cardiologist doesn't want to see you because you have family history. He wants to see you because you need a heart cath.