Tired All the Time and Weight Gain? Your Next Steps in New York, NY
Tired All the Time and Weight Gain? Your Next Steps in New York, NY
It’s understandably concerning to feel tired all the time even after sleeping well, notice your clothes getting tighter, and experience shortness of breath climbing stairs. These changes can feel overwhelming, and wanting to find answers is a very natural and important step. If you’re searching to understand why you’re gaining weight and feeling so sluggish, you’re in the right place.
This post will help guide you through the potential next steps for seeking medical care in New York, NY, outline which types of doctors you might consider seeing first, and give you an idea of what initial tests and visits typically cost if you pay out of pocket. Our goal is to help you move forward with confidence toward getting the care you deserve.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in New York, NY
Based on your symptoms—tiredness, weight gain, and shortness of breath—there are several types of healthcare providers who could be good starting points. Here are the most relevant professionals and what they do:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can diagnose and treat a wide range of common health problems. They can order initial tests to help find the cause of your symptoms and guide you if a specialist is needed.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: Similar to family practice but often focused on adults; they manage complex or chronic conditions and coordinate care.
- Endocrinologist: A specialist in hormone-related conditions, such as thyroid disorders and diabetes, both of which can cause tiredness and weight gain.
- Cardiologist: If your shortness of breath might be related to your heart, a cardiologist evaluates and treats heart and circulation issues.
Starting with a family practice or internal medicine doctor is often a good first step since they can provide a broad initial assessment and refer you if specialized care is needed.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here is an overview of the common procedures and their estimated self-pay costs in New York, NY for each provider type. These costs reflect typical charges for new or established patient visits and key blood tests that can help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office or outpatient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: This visit lets your doctor talk with you about your symptoms and perform an exam to understand what might be causing your tiredness and weight gain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $225.02 (typically ranges from $168.77 to $281.28)
Provider Availability: Based on 734 providers in New York, NY. -
Procedure: Blood test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)
Purpose: To check your thyroid gland function, since thyroid problems often cause fatigue and weight changes.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $29.01 (typically ranges from $19.68 to $38.35)
Provider Availability: Based on 30 providers in the area. -
Procedure: Hemoglobin A1c level (CPT Code: 83036)
Purpose: Measures blood sugar control over the past 3 months, useful if diabetes might be contributing to symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $15.20 (typically ranges from $11.40 to $19.00)
Provider Availability: Based on 75 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) (CPT Code: 80061)
Purpose: Checks your cholesterol levels to assess your heart health, as weight gain and fatigue can be related to cardiovascular risk.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $24.95 (typically ranges from $15.67 to $34.22)
Provider Availability: Based on 29 providers. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: A simple heart tracing test that helps detect possible heart problems that might explain your shortness of breath.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $33.44 (typically ranges from $20.39 to $46.49)
Provider Availability: Based on 362 providers.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A detailed checkup focusing on adult health issues, symptom review, and physical exam to guide diagnosis.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $221.20 (ranges from $165.90 to $276.50)
Provider Availability: 2,373 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)
Purpose: Evaluates thyroid gland function critical in regulating metabolism and energy levels.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $27.13 (ranges from $19.72 to $34.55)
Provider Availability: 111 providers. -
Procedure: Hemoglobin A1c level (CPT Code: 83036)
Purpose: Detects blood sugar control issues, such as diabetes, known to cause fatigue and weight gain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $15.95 (ranges from $11.40 to $20.51)
Provider Availability: 170 providers. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Heart test to assess any cardiovascular causes of your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $35.69 (ranges from $20.34 to $51.04)
Provider Availability: 1,350 providers.
Visit with an Endocrinologist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Expert evaluation of hormone-related conditions, like thyroid disease or diabetes, which often cause tiredness and weight gain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $221.89 (ranges from $166.42 to $277.36)
Provider Availability: 321 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)
Purpose: Checks thyroid hormone to diagnose possible thyroid dysfunction.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $33.13 (ranges from $19.68 to $46.57)
Provider Availability: 24 providers. -
Procedure: Hemoglobin A1c level (CPT Code: 83036)
Purpose: Measure of blood sugar over time to detect diabetes or prediabetes.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $22.78 (ranges from $11.34 to $34.23)
Provider Availability: 88 providers.
Visit with a Cardiologist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: To assess your heart health and investigate if cardiovascular problems are causing your shortness of breath or fatigue.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $221.33 (ranges from $166.00 to $276.66)
Provider Availability: 832 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, comprehensive group of blood chemicals (CPT Code: 80053)
Purpose: Broad blood testing to check overall metabolism, organ function, and detect possible causes of fatigue and weight gain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $17.76 (ranges from $12.38 to $23.13)
Provider Availability: 17 providers. -
Procedure: Hemoglobin A1c level (CPT Code: 83036)
Purpose: Check for diabetes or blood sugar issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $15.50 (ranges from $11.41 to $19.60)
Provider Availability: 20 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)
Purpose: Checks thyroid function, which can affect heart and metabolic health.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $26.19 (ranges from $19.64 to $32.74)
Provider Availability: 16 providers. -
Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)
Purpose: Tests red and white blood cells to check for anemia or infections that may cause fatigue.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.56 (ranges from $9.12 to $16.00)
Provider Availability: 18 providers.
Your Recommended Next Steps
Feeling tired and gaining weight can be caused by many conditions, ranging from lifestyle factors to medical issues like thyroid problems, diabetes, or heart conditions. Taking the next step by seeing a healthcare provider is important to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
- Schedule an Appointment: Start by contacting a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor in New York, NY. They can perform a thorough initial assessment and direct you to a specialist if needed.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down all your symptoms, how long you’ve noticed changes, any new medications or lifestyle changes, and questions you want to ask your doctor.
- Discuss Costs: When booking your appointment, ask about pricing for the visit and any recommended lab tests. The estimated costs here can help you plan, but provider charges may vary.
- Stay Positive: Remember, seeking professional advice is the best way to understand what’s going on and find the right treatment to feel better.
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 information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your symptoms and medical conditions.