Always Thirsty and Peeing a Lot? Your Guide to Next Steps in Los Angeles, CA
Always Thirsty and Peeing a Lot? Your Guide to Next Steps in Los Angeles, CA
Lately, you might have noticed you’re feeling thirsty all the time and needing to pee more often—even waking up at night. Your mouth feels dry, and you’re more tired than usual. It’s natural to feel concerned when your body sends these signals, especially when you don’t know what’s causing them. If you’re searching online to understand what these symptoms could mean, you’re taking a smart first step.
This post is here to guide you gently and clearly through what your symptoms might suggest, the types of doctors who can help, and what your initial healthcare visit might look like in Los Angeles, CA— including self-pay cost estimates. You deserve reassuring, straightforward information and a clear path forward, and you’re in the right place.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Los Angeles, CA
Based on the symptoms of constant thirst and frequent urination, there are a few types of healthcare providers you might consider seeing first. These doctors can help evaluate your symptoms, run necessary tests, and provide appropriate care:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who diagnoses and treats many common illnesses. They’re a great starting point and can order diabetes-related tests or refer you to a specialist if needed.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: Specializes in adult healthcare and managing complex or chronic conditions. They can perform thorough exams and order detailed lab tests to help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.
- Endocrinologist: A specialist focusing on hormone-related diseases, including diabetes. If your tests suggest diabetes or another hormone imbalance, they are the experts to manage your condition.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here’s what typically happens during your first visits to these types of providers and the common tests related to your symptoms, along with approximate self-pay costs in Los Angeles, CA.
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 20-29 minutes (CPT Code: 99213)
Purpose: This is your face-to-face appointment where the doctor listens to your symptoms, takes a health history, and decides which tests are needed. It’s the first step to understanding what’s going on inside your body.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $151.14 (typically ranges from $113.35 to $188.92)
This estimate is based on 830 providers in the Los Angeles area. -
Procedure: Blood glucose (sugar) level test (CPT Code: 82947)
Purpose: A lab test to measure your blood sugar level, helping detect if you have high blood glucose. It’s a direct way to check if diabetes might explain your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $8.54 (typically ranges from $4.62 to $12.46)
This estimate is based on 15 providers in Los Angeles. -
Procedure: Hemoglobin a1c level (CPT Code: 83036)
Purpose: This test shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It helps doctors understand if your blood sugar is consistently high, an important diabetes indicator.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $17.27 (typically ranges from $11.30 to $23.23)
This estimate is based on 53 providers in Los Angeles.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A detailed consultation where the doctor evaluates your symptoms, history, and decides on further testing or referrals. This visit tends to be longer and more thorough.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $204.24 (typically ranges from $153.18 to $255.30)
This estimate is based on 1176 providers in Los Angeles. -
Procedure: Blood glucose (sugar) test performed by hand-held instrument (CPT Code: 82962)
Purpose: A quick finger-stick test done during your visit to get immediate blood sugar results. It can provide fast insights about your glucose levels.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $6.00 (typically ranges from $3.85 to $8.15)
This estimate is based on 69 providers in Los Angeles. -
Procedure: Blood glucose (sugar) level test (CPT Code: 82947)
Purpose: A lab test for measuring blood sugar levels to detect possible diabetes.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $8.33 (typically ranges from $4.62 to $12.05)
This estimate is based on 33 providers. -
Procedure: Insertion of needle into vein for collection of blood sample (CPT Code: 36415)
Purpose: This procedure draws blood from your vein for lab testing. It’s a necessary step to perform many important blood tests including glucose and a1c.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.85 (typically ranges from $9.64 to $16.06)
This estimate is based on 511 providers.
Visit with an Endocrinologist
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Meet with a specialist who can diagnose and manage hormone-related conditions like diabetes. This visit focuses on detailed assessment and personalized treatment.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $210.32 (typically ranges from $153.73 to $266.91)
This estimate is based on 144 providers in Los Angeles. -
Procedure: Hemoglobin a1c level test (CPT Code: 83036)
Purpose: Measures your average blood sugar levels over several months to track diabetes control.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $19.92 (typically ranges from $11.36 to $28.48)
This estimate is based on 48 providers. -
Procedure: Blood glucose (sugar) level test (CPT Code: 82947)
Purpose: Lab measurement of your blood sugar level.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $8.53 (typically ranges from $4.61 to $12.46)
This estimate is based on 21 providers. -
Procedure: Blood glucose (sugar) test performed by hand-held instrument (CPT Code: 82962)
Purpose: Quick finger-stick blood sugar test for near-instant results.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $5.82 (typically ranges from $3.84 to $7.80)
This estimate is based on 18 providers.
Your Recommended Next Steps
It’s important to take your symptoms seriously and get them evaluated by a healthcare professional who can guide you toward the right diagnosis and care. Here’s what you can do next:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice doctor, Internal Medicine physician, or Endocrinologist in Los Angeles. Starting with a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor might be easier for initial testing and diagnosis.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down all your symptoms, how long you’ve been feeling this way, any other changes you’ve noticed, and questions you want answered.
- Discuss Costs: When booking your appointment, ask about self-pay rates and confirm any costs related to office visits and blood tests. The estimates provided here can help you plan financially.
- Stay Calm and Empowered: Remember, feeling thirsty and urinating frequently can be signs of conditions like diabetes, which are manageable with proper care. Early evaluation can help you feel better sooner.
Need Help Navigating Your Options?
Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.