My primary offers carotid scans twice a year, has been using an outside company that comes in. I wouldn't mind it if someone in her office did it, would mean fewer trips to the doctor. The point is to see if carotid medial thickness is getting worse or getting better, and whether you have plaque, and whether that it getting worse or better. You can improve the carotid medial thickness and plaque with diet, supplements, and exercise. I opted for once every two years, rather than once or twice a year. I don't see how it can do any harm. It's just ultrasound.
That's not what bugs me about my primary. Every time I have one test that is a tiny bit out of whack, they prescribe more tests. I had a little bit of vaginal bleeding, and am on hormone replacement therapy, so first I had to have a biopsy, that was normal, then a D and C, result normal, and pelvic ultrasound, result normal. That one was ok, I wasn't worried about the bleeding, but pelvic cancer is not a Good Thing. My liver function was a little out of whack, so I had to have a liver ultrasound, all ok but mild fatty liver, like half of us older people have. Also had to have a Hep C test, first one ambiguous, had to have another one, negative. I had zero risk factors for Hep C, married for 36 years, faithful, no illegal drug use, etc. Then I had a slightly out of whack kidney function test, so I had to do a 24 hour urine. Normal.
All of this extra care means taking off time from work, driving somewhere, usually taking off all or some of my clothes, and, of course, spending money.
I really appreciate that she is taking good care of me, though. |
