Abdominal Exam by Endocrinologist

As I have mild hypothyroidism, I get bloodwork done and head to my endocrinologist for a check up every 6 months. After looking through my test results and recalibrating my dosage level if needs be, she always makes it a point to carry out a quick exam. She checks my blood pressure and palpates my neck, presumably to feel my thyroid gland. She then listens to my heart and lungs quite thoroughly in a sitting position. I'm not asked to change into a gown or anything, however she always places the stethoscope on skin. I am usually in a dress shirt as I go during lunch break at work and I am asked to unbutton and take off the shirt, and then lift up my undershirt while she listens front and back. I've never been asked to completely take off the undershirt. The exam always concludes with an abdominal, with her invariably asking me to lay back, undo my pants and lower my underwear slightly, which I usually do till the top of my pubic hair. She then proceeds to quickly ausultate and palpate all four quadrants of my abdomen. After that, I get dressed and get the all clear for another six months. I appreciate the fact that she seems bothered enough to actually conduct a once over even though she's doesn't need to. My previous endo didn't even take my blood pressure, just looked at the results and interpreted, and it was off you go in less than 10 minutes. I can understand the blood pressure and chest and lung auscultation, but I've always wondered why an abdominal exam is relevant in that situation. It does seem odd for an endocrinologist visit. I don't mind too much though, and certainly enjoy it at times ;-)

Have any of you ever ended up getting an abdominal examination by a specialist when not expected? Of course, GI specialists don't count! 😄

P.S. Great board, great people! Cheers all 😃

Possibly because some endocrine system problems might result in abdominal organs that are enlarged or otherwise don't "feel right" to the doctor, so she's checking for such symptoms.

Has she ever examined your testicles?

I have an endocrinologist and he always does a similar exam. The first time I went there, he did a fairly complete exam (abdominal included), minus the intimate areas. He always listens to my heart and lungs on bare skin and is not afraid to put his hand under my shirt to hear what he needs to. This last time, he checked heart, lungs, reflexes, checked my glands, and he;s been watching an area near my neck which he says has improved since i last saw him, so the medication he's got me on is helping with what he's seeing.

I;ve learned to just hop up on the exam table since he will pretty much complete a fairly good exam every visit.

Pretty norm for Endo visit, I've never changed into a gown or even pulled up my shirt for mine, sadly :-(

I see an endocrinologist for diabetes and usually the exam is limited to diabetes related things, checking for complications. I have a thyroid problem as well. Usually the nurse does weight, vitals, blood sugar check and then the Dr checks my eyes for diabetes related eye problems, listens to my heart & lungs, checks my neck/thyroid gland, and checks my hands, legs and feet for signs of neuropathy. Then he talks about my numbers (blah blah blah) and orders labwork, and that's about it.

Quite an interestng case...

actually...if you think of it... it'll be more exciting to be semi nude for an exam and be lying on the table with your clothes in total disarray as the doc would push poke and listen...you'd be so much at her mercy and she'd be the epitome of power and authority over you...WOW...!! the thought itself was awesome... lucky you that you underwent the experience...!! Cheerz...! 😉

My first exam by the endo for diabetes was a complete physical including genital and prostate. Since then, the only clothes I take off are my socks.

I have seen several endocrinologists and all 3 performed a similar initial exam with me. however, one of them in the middle of the exam said that i might as well change into a gown so she gave me a gown and left the room. i didn't leave my underwear on so when she opened the gown to palpate my abdomen, i was fully exposed. she was very professional and didn't even say anything.

I´ve also had a mild hyper-thyroid condition for some 15 years, but never once did any of the doctors and endocrinologists palpate my abdomen. All the exams have been very demure and proper and it seems they are mainly interested in the bloodwork, at least in my case. Maybe because it is a very mild case that I can miss taking my pills for several days without any adverse effects.

I´ve often hoped that, being an endocrinological condition, one of the physicians might perhaps take a passing interest in testosterone levels. But I guess without any specific complaint on my part, that won´t happen by itself.