Can you point me to a really good endocrinologist in NYC?

August 17, 2015 12:16 PM

I think something's possibly going on with my thyroid. I know thyroid issues can be tricky, so I'd like to see someone good. Can you recommend an endocrinologist in NYC? He or she probably won't take my insurance, but I'll worry about that later. For now, just looking for some solid recommendations. Thanks.
posted by gigondas to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

You might just want to get blood work done through your regular doctor before trying to find an endocrinologist. You might have to do so anyway, you might need a referral from your PCP to get to an endorinologist, and the first thing the endocrinologist is going to have you do is get a blood test (for at least your TSH level, maybe your T4). Those should be more easily covered than any specialty treatment, and thyroid issues are common enough that your PCP may be able to take care of your issue; if things get complicated a visit to an endocrinologist might be more in line, but I don't think that's necessarily your first stop.
posted by LionIndex at 12:29 PM on August 17, 2015 [4 favorites]

I saw Vincent Yen at Beth Israel for a minor thyroid concern a few years ago. He was very informative and helpful and took time to answer all of my questions. I only saw him the one time, but the experience was positive. It took about three weeks to get an appointment (I booked through ZocDoc, but it looks like he no longer offers that option).
posted by melissasaurus at 12:54 PM on August 17, 2015

If you think "something's going on" but your TSH/T4 are coming back normal, will your primary care provider test for autoimmune thryoid disorder antibodies? This is the "one weird trick" with regards to serum testing if it's something "possibly going on with the thyroid."
posted by blue suede stockings at 2:46 PM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]

I see Andrew Martorella with Weill Cornell on the UES. He indeed does not take insurance, but has worked with me in the past to minimize visits. He also actually listens instead of just looking at lab results.
posted by lunalaguna at 3:05 PM on August 17, 2015

Melissa Katz, also with Weill Cornell, was my endocrinologist for several years and I really liked her. I'm not sure what insurance if any she takes at this point.

However, the basic thyroid panel is something your primary care doc can absolutely order for you, and I second the suggestion to start there. In fact, you might be better off by saying to them "I have X and Y happening. I think it could be my thyroid, what do you think?" They might wind up running several tests that will allow you to explore multiple possibilities.
posted by bunderful at 4:01 PM on August 17, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks, all. My insurance switched at the beginning of the year, and since then I haven't had a primary care doc. But based on your suggestions I picked someone who doubles as a primary care doc and an endocrinologist, which seems to cover all the bases. Picking a doctor out of the gazillions out there is really difficult, but I just made a snap decision and booked an appointment with her. So we'll see.
posted by gigondas at 11:52 AM on August 18, 2015