Is this a normal thing for an endocrinologist to do?

[Case39]

Hi, I've been going to my endocrinologist for four years now.

He usually askes me to remove my clothes  and then proceeds to take my blood pressure and then touches and massages my legs, my tummy, my breasts and under my chin.

I never questioned this as being odd and assumed he's just doing his job, he says he looks for cancer growths. Buy my boyfriend says he thinks it sounds weird. And I've never really asked if they do it with other transgender patients too, I just assumed they do.

So I'm just asking to make 100%sure haha, is this normal?

[Chelsea]

Sounds odd to me but I only just started. I always thought that cancer could be found in a blood test and your
doctor already takes your blood. Also why does he have you undress before checking blood pressure?
Just my thoughts.

Hugs,

      Chelsea

[Northern Star Girl]

Hi, I've been going to my endocrinologist for four years now.

He usually askes me to remove my clothes  and then proceeds to take my blood pressure and then touches and massages my legs, my tummy, my breasts and under my chin.

I never questioned this as being odd and assumed he's just doing his job, he says he looks for cancer growths. Buy my boyfriend says he thinks it sounds weird. And I've never really asked if they do it with other transgender patients too, I just assumed they do.

So I'm just asking to make 100%sure haha, is this normal?

edit:
@ Chelsea: Case39: Is your doctor a male?  In most clinics usually if the doctor has to do breast exams, or exams that involve private parts... on a female...  usually a female nurse will be in the room with him.   I am not certain how that applies to transitioning mtf.
Your boyfriend may be correct... it does sound weird to me also... but if your doctor is worried about cancer somewhere on your body... the type of touching you described can be normal for a male or female...
He has you remove ALL of your clothes?  Does he give you a gown to wear for some degree of modesty??

Danielle

[Case39]

He says I can keep my panty on and he does allow me to wear a gown, but he basically moves it aside to touch. I don't know.. I don't want to think that it's weird. I mean he's a professional right? I just do what he says

[Chelsea]

@ Chelsea:  Is your doctor a male?  In most clinics usually if the doctor has to do breast exams, or exams that involve private parts... on a female...  usually a female nurse will be in the room with him.   I am not certain how that applies to transitioning mtf.
Your boyfriend may be correct... it does sound weird to me also... but if your doctor is worried about cancer somewhere on your body... the type of touching you described can be normal for a male or female...
He has you remove ALL of your clothes?  Does he give you a gown to wear for some degree of modesty??

Danielle

Danielle it was not my doctor.   But my doctor is female.

Hugs,
      Chelsea

[Megan.]

Never heard of this before. Not something my doctor has ever done. I'd ask for a chaperone nurse next time.

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[sarah1972]

While I am usually very suspicious but I would say it depends what role in your care he sees. Everything may have a logical explanation: Legs to check for signs of DVT, most doctors press on your tummy to check the intestines, great for breast cancer and as ends he needs to check your chin / throat area for Thyroid issues. A good primary care doctor would also do a detailed look around your body to check for any signs of melanoma.

I just had my two checkups (OB/GYN and Primary Care, both are female) and they kind of divided the work... Since my OB/GYN does my hormones, she did do the breast check for lumps which is pretty normal. My regular PCP checked again, plus she also checked my legs and the rest of my body for melanoma (and actually one needs to be investigated further). She skipped my tummy this time (I did not have any unusual symptoms reported) and Thyroid gets checked via blood test. She skipped prostate check, apparently that only gets done every two years.

However: If you feel uncomfortable in any way or suspicious you should ask for a nurse the next time.

[Northern Star Girl]

Danielle it was not my doctor.   But my doctor is female.

Hugs,
      Chelsea

Chelsea: 
In my hurry to respond to Case39 I accidently addressed my comment to you.... so sorry!!!!
Danielle

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

This is weird...my doctor is female and she never does anything like this...she checked my genitals on my very first appointment but never again. Those details of what your doctor is doing is disturbing!

[Allison S]

My first doctor never had me take any clothes off. I switched to this doctor for progesterone and he bad me lift up my shift (no bra under at the time). I guess that was a chance for him to see my breast growth so far without progesterone?

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[Jessica]

My first endo only (I assume) checked for lumps in my then flat chest, the first and only time.  My GP does a physical yearly and checks everything out.

[Dee Marshall]

My Endo, whichever of the two sees me,always checks breast development manually. It's the only way to tell internal development. Testicles were checked every session until they finished shrinking.

The spy who came in from the cold in the War Between the Sexes.

[Charlie Nicki]

I was sure I had replied to this thread but apparently my comment didn't go through.

I said my endo has never done this to me. He checked my breast development with his hands once, asked me to lift my top and bra. It was very professional and respectful. Then a second time a female intern was present and he asked me to lift my top again, which I did, and they both started discussing what size I was. That was it.

[Doreen]

Hi, I've been going to my endocrinologist for four years now.

He usually askes me to remove my clothes  and then proceeds to take my blood pressure and then touches and massages my legs, my tummy, my breasts and under my chin.

I never questioned this as being odd and assumed he's just doing his job, he says he looks for cancer growths. Buy my boyfriend says he thinks it sounds weird. And I've never really asked if they do it with other transgender patients too, I just assumed they do.

So I'm just asking to make 100%sure haha, is this normal?

Well the endocrinologist I saw for the first time was female, but she pretty much had me remove my clothes to inspect me.. I guess to assert my claims were 'true' or something.. She didn't do a cavity search or anything, but she did 'examine' me.   About the same (if not a whole lot worse) when you go to a gyno, but when in doubt ask for a chaperone to be there present in the room.

[KathyLauren]

My HRT doc is just a GP with a bit of WPATH training, not an endo.  The most she has me undress is to roll up my sleeve to take my blood pressure.  The only person who has seen my boobs is my wife.

That doesn't mean that your endo is doing anything improper.  However, if you have concerns, it is perfectly all right for you to ask him what he is checking at each stage of the exam.  That is just being a responsible well-informed patient, managing her own care.  And if he is having improper thoughts, it puts him on notice that he'd better not try anything.

[KatieP]

Neither my PCP nor Endo has ever asked me to take off any clothes without telling me the specific purpose. (eg prostate exam.) As for looking for melanomas, I do that with the dermatologist, who does absolutely go over every inch, carefully.

I am wondering if my PCP/Endo folks are complacent? They both regularly see transgender patients. Perhaps they are too comfortable?

[josie76]

It seems a little weird.
My Endo never even worried about checking anything. He talked with me about the effects of HRT mostly and verified that is what I wanted.

The only people to see my breasts have been surgery staff, mainly the nurses helping get my bra on after back surgery and a nurse placing a heart monitor sensor on my side.

A few urologists have seen my genitals and one treated me for prostatitus years ago which included a few rectal exams.

General practice doctors press on the abdomin and check lymph nodes under the chin and armpits. That's the most touching any doctor has ever done.

[Daisy Jane]

I was never been examined manually by any of the doctors I saw for HRT. I've seen four different doctors at two different clinics.

[Becca Kay]

this sounds really really strange to me.  I've been to three different docs since starting my transition.  none of them has done anything like this.  My first Endo was male.  He never asked me to disrobe, and he especially never touched me like that.  My current doctor is female.  I just started seeing her and it's at an LGBTQ specific clinic that specializes in gay and trans health.  She's not done anything like that either. I may be in a bit of a privileged situation here, but with the exception of my surgeon (who is doing my FFS and Breast Augmentation) I wouldn't allow a male doctor to touch me that way. 

[RobynD]

I've had many GP's that preferred you undress to the gown and underwear for visits. The only specific touching i have had is a breast exam and a rectal check, both pretty common. They sometimes touch your lymph nodes if i am feeling sick (the one's by the throat) My current doc is female and i think she is really good.