Where can you get tested for thyroid disorder w/out health insurance?

JumpingFrijoles · 01-25-2007, 01:36 AM

Hello Ladies,

I was diagnosed with PCOS while I was a student in college...the doctor at the time only felt my thyroid to check if it was swollen and said I don't have a thyroid problem. Well, looking into thyroid problems, I see that a lot of the symptoms are similar to PCOS and well, I exercise and exercise and exercise and diet and will only drop maybe a few pounds but quickly gain it back and I am always tired, have many of the symptoms..but I guesss many of us cysters have. Well, with my weight battles, my mom suggested that I get my thyroid tested...apparently my mom just told me that at many of her physical check ups the doctor told her that her thyriod was swollen--but my mom is very thin and has the exact opposite problem that I have, she can't seem to gain weight. Well, anyways I also discovered that a cousin of mine was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder and does have the weight issues that I have so I am beginning to consider the possibility. Unfortunately, I have no health insurance...does anyone know where I can get checked for thyroid issues--not just feelin my neck like they do at the clinic but actual blood work and thurough examination to see if maybe I have a thyroid problem...????

Thanke for reading my post

omcv · 01-25-2007, 01:58 AM

Are you working? Even if you are you may qualify for State Insurance (Medi-cal) with a low co-pay. You could go to a specialist, Endo. Or you could just have a family doctor order the tests.

I was born with thyroid problems and have been on thyroid since I was 22 (wow ten years). It is important to find out when you get the tests done what the lab ranges are. Remember a borderline thyroid is the worst of the situations. Most dr's will not even treat it ... you have to be presistant!

I live in Northern California ... do you need a dr recommendation?

mommavia · 01-26-2007, 10:18 AM

It's always best to have a primary care doc that can treat you and follow-up, and they will often work out a payment plan if you don't have insurance. If you already have a primary doc that you see, s/he will be able to help you with it. You do sometimes need to be persistent!

Cynthia

isenephthys · 01-29-2007, 04:04 AM

you can go to any of the independent labs... i think both quest and labcorp will do labs at your request. they have certain packages that they sell to consumers and i do believe there is one that includes t3/t4/tsh.

i also agree that it is a good idea to find a pcp to take those results to once you have them so you can get treatment.

good luck!

JumpingFrijoles · 01-30-2007, 01:30 AM

Thanks for all of the advise ladies. I really want to get this checked out since I have been having symptoms this past year that I had more mild problems with before but seem to be getting a little more noticable, such as the dry skin and skin sensitivity to cold tempatures. Hopefully I can get some answers...I think it maybe a mild case and if I do have it, than it would be a relief to know that there is something to explain some of my health issues. If not, well back to the older drawing board on trying to get healthy.

Well, I am looking into free or low cost places with good doctors. I just got a job, part time but at least I will have more finances. Any suggestions on places in San Diego, California????

isenephthys · 01-30-2007, 04:24 AM

um... i did some checking and labcorp and quest appear to have discontinued their direct-to-consumer testing programs. however, i did find a couple of sites that let you order your own tests:
http://www.healthcheckusa.com/
http://www.privatemdlabs.com/?source...FRZXFQodaSHYQA

you might also want to check in the phone book and see if any of the independent labs in your area offer testing.

mommavia · 01-30-2007, 04:09 PM

There has got to be some free clinics in San Diego. You might want to try to call the hospitals there and asking if they have information about low cost clinics for patients without insurance. The Universities with medical schools will probably have information about it too. And of course, there is always Google! Good luck in your search.

Cynthia