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I was having problems with my thyroid. I'm hypothyroid so I need a very precise balance of thyroid medication to make sure everything works ok. I knew that my thyroid was off though because I started to become really depressed and sluggish and my hair started falling out. Yes, that's right my hair was falling out. Not in clumps, but I would have a hand full of hair after running my hand through it.

So I went to my regularly scheduled endicronology appointment and my endicronologist told me that there was nothing wrong with my thyroid. She explained the hair loss as stress and recommended that I get more sleep! I told her that the range of thyroid levels can be a big one and even though my numbers looked normal a change in them means that my medication should be adjusted. She told me quite curtly that she doesn't treat symptoms she treats numbers and my numbers were fine.

So I called my PCP to get a referral to another endicronologist and my PCP said that was the best one that she knew. Scary right? So I tried to transfer to another doctor within that medical group, but he didn't take my HMO insurance and said a new patient visit would be $250 just to get a referral!

When I was a teenager, my parents had amazing insurance and took me to the best doctor in the area. Desperate for help, I called his office armed with a list of possible PCP's who do take my health insurance and unfortunately he had never heard of ANYONE on that list! Scary, right? This is a prominent doctor who is well known and knows a lot of other doctors in his field.

So what did I do? Well the doctor who originally diagnosed me as hypothyroid was also one of the super doctors who I saw as a teenager and who doesn't take any insurance whatsoever. So I made an appointment to go see him and get fixed. It was such a relief to return to normal and to have my hair back. Yes, as soon as my medication was adjusted my hair stopped falling out!! I KNEW that's what it was. Always trust your gut.

But the bill was astronomical. Try over $800 for that one visit! That's for a blood test and a conversation with the doctor and a new prescription. And I'll have to go back at least once every 6 months! I'm a newlywed teacher who had managed to pay off all of my debt to buy a house and now I'm going to be slowly going back into debt to afford this doctor. But what other choice do I have?

I don't have CheneyCare, I have an HMO and the doctors on the list are scary. IF they speak English they are so new or so swamped they don't have time for you and as long as your numbers are ok, so are you. Ever watch Mystery Diagnosis on Discovery Health? Trust me, that stuff is real people!!