Thyroid?

[Mileena46]

Got a letter from my Cardiologist office yesterday telling me that my last blood test for my thyroid levels were way off. I am taking my meds every day, but they forwarded this to my GP as well and stated I also needed a liver function test (Amiodarone). I have been avoiding having this done (this is my second letter plus a phone call from my doctors nurse) I told her as I am telling you all......I can't afford to have this test done. My GP makes you pay right then and I don't know how much it cost. Do any of you have any idea? Please don't tell me to just bite the bullet and pay....it's not a matter of that....

While I was out work all of our bills got sooo out of hand. I am being sued by everybody I know and the hospital is calling asking if I have mailed them the $216,000 that I owe. It would be funny if it weren't so tragic. I can't get help because after all I AM working. (The hospital did give me a 40% discount, so it's not quite $200 thou now!) Anyway I don't mean to burden everyone with financial woes but am trying to make you see why I havent done the test.

I KNOW my cardiologist pretty well and I KNOW he will not give me any more of my Amiodarone without these test!

Do any of you know....in what ball park this is going to cost? $100? $200? More? I could ask my GP and probably will...but this is worrying me now.

Mileena

 

[lb151]

I have no idea of the costs,but,if you are taking amio you really need them. The first things it affects is the tyroid and cholestrol. Its not a friendly drug.

You can most likely make an arrangement with the hospital and pay a small amount every month. When I did not have medicaid I gave mine 10.00 each month. That held off any action from them.



wait,,why can't your cardiologist order the blood tests? Mine does.

 

[kfay]

Mileena, You really need to call your GP's office and ask them what they charge. Every Dr's office is going to charge something different. Ask the business manager if she would give you the discounted "insurance" rate that would probably be 40% off or more. I know that you are happy with the Amiodarone due to the fact that your heart is beating "normally" for the first time in a long time, but if you already have thyroid changes, is it not time to maybe rethink this drug? Do you have a chance to get on insurance any time soon since you are now back to work?

I'm sorry you have such a huge hospital bill to deal with. I can't even imagine being in that position. I know that has to cause you a huge amount of stress. Do you think that the hospital will eventually write it off? I know they did this for my neice when she didn't have insurance and had to go into the hospital several times. She had to apply for it and it took a while, but eventually, it worked.

Kim

 

[Ross]

It should cost less then $50. Believe me, I know all about financial stress. I've been under it since 1991. Pay the hospital whatever you can afford. If that doesn't suit them, they can write off the debt. You don't need to be in the same boat that I am. I tried to be the good bill payer and all it's done is place me so close to bankruptcy that I may be claiming yet in 2010. Screw them! They aren't going to shut their doors if they don't get their money immediately. If you have no insurance, see if they'll accept whatever Medicare would pay them, which would probably even lower then the 40% off your getting now.

 

[sue943]

I was on Amiodarone and I now have an underactive thyroid which means medication daily to top it up. I don't know if the thyroid was affected by that drug or whether it was underactive anyway but not previously found as I am a fatty although not a large eater.

I can't imagine what it is like to consider not seeking medical advice due to financial considerations, I guess socialised medical systems have something going for them.

 

[Mileena46]

Thanks for the advice you all! I called the local hospital and they will allow me to have these test done there and pay for them in installments. I am going to go ahead and take the papers I have from the Cardio down and do this tomorrow. I will let you all know (if anything) that they tell me.

Mileena

 

[Bridgette]

Good luck with the tests Mileena.
It must be very very stressful to be faced with a huge bill for your surgery. I hope things work out for you.
Hopefully something in the healthcare reforms will help people in your situation?

 

[Wise]

Is changing GP's a possibility? Sometimes the doctor is the problem. I hope you are able to resolve this issue since you obviously need these medications. Prayers and best wishes.

 

[olefin]

My wife has a liver blood test now and then due to taking lipitor but don't know the cost. From what I read about Amiodarone, glad I don't have to take it. I've had thyroid disease for almost 18 years and daily take synthroid to keep it in control.

Good luck Mileena, you sure need it.