Feeling Tired and Short of Breath? Your Next Steps in Phoenix, AZ

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Feeling Tired and Short of Breath? Your Next Steps in Phoenix, AZ

If you’ve been feeling unusually tired all the time and notice that even simple activities like walking around your home or climbing a short flight of stairs leave you short of breath, you’re not alone—and your concern is completely valid. Adding to this, if your clothes are fitting differently due to unexplained weight gain, it understandably raises questions about what might be going on with your health. These symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which may be linked to heart or lung health or other conditions.

This post is here to gently guide you through your next steps in understanding these symptoms. You’ll learn about the types of healthcare providers who can help, what to expect during your initial visits, and an overview of typical costs you might see in the Phoenix, AZ area. Knowing this information can help you feel more prepared and empowered when you reach out for medical care.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Phoenix, AZ

Based on the symptoms you’re experiencing—tiredness, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight gain—several types of doctors could be a good place to start:

  • Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can diagnose and treat many common health issues. They’re often the first stop for new or unclear symptoms and can help coordinate any further testing or referrals.
  • Internal Medicine Specialist: These doctors focus on adult medicine and often handle complex or chronic health conditions that may cause fatigue and breathing difficulties.
  • Pulmonary Disease Specialist: Focused specifically on lung health, they are experts in diagnosing and treating lung-related breathing problems.
  • Cardiologist: A heart specialist who checks for heart-related causes of symptoms like fatigue and breathlessness, which can sometimes be signs of heart issues.

Each of these providers plays a key role in assessing your symptoms, running tests, and helping you find the right treatment.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Here’s a breakdown of typical initial procedures you might expect when seeing these providers in Phoenix, along with estimated self-pay costs based on local data. Keep in mind, these are estimates and your exact costs may vary.

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: This is a typical 30-39 minute appointment where the doctor will review your symptoms, medical history, and overall health to figure out the next steps.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $191.39 (typically ranges from $143.54 to $239.24)
    Provider Availability: Based on 602 providers in Phoenix.

  • Procedure: Hemoglobin A1c level test (CPT Code: 83036)
    Purpose: A blood test that checks your average blood sugar over the past few months—important if fatigue might be related to blood sugar problems like diabetes.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $15.12 (typically $11.34 to $18.90)
    Provider Availability: 91 providers.

  • Procedure: Blood test for lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) (CPT Code: 80061)
    Purpose: This test checks your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which affect heart health and weight.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $20.86 (range $15.65 to $26.08)
    Provider Availability: 51 providers.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: A quick imaging test to look at your lungs and heart for any obvious problems that might contribute to your breathlessness.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $47.36 (range $35.52 to $59.20)
    Provider Availability: 28 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: A test that looks at your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity to check for heart conditions.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $22.19 (range $16.64 to $27.74)
    Provider Availability: 209 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Specialist

  • Procedure: Established patient office visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Similar to family practice visits, this is a 30-39 minute visit where symptoms and medical history are evaluated to guide further testing or treatment.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $189.36 (range $142.02 to $236.70)
    Provider Availability: 438 providers in Phoenix.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: Imaging to check lungs and heart for any visible lung or heart problems.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $40.91 (range $30.68 to $51.14)
    Provider Availability: 18 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: Testing your heart’s electrical rhythm to find any abnormalities.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $22.14 (range $16.61 to $27.68)
    Provider Availability: 154 providers.

  • Procedure: Comprehensive blood test (CPT Code: 80053)
    Purpose: This panel tests many blood chemicals to check overall health and help pinpoint causes of fatigue or other symptoms.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $16.53 (range $12.40 to $20.66)
    Provider Availability: 27 providers.

  • Procedure: Vitamin D-3 level test (CPT Code: 82306)
    Purpose: Low vitamin D can cause fatigue, so this test checks your levels.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $45.86 (range $34.39 to $57.32)
    Provider Availability: 21 providers.

Visit with a Pulmonary Disease Specialist

  • Procedure: Established patient office visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Evaluation focused on breathing issues and lung health to diagnose conditions such as asthma or COPD.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $191.09 (range $143.32 to $238.86)
    Provider Availability: 72 providers.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: Imaging to check lungs for infection, fluid, or other abnormalities.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $51.38 (range $38.53 to $64.22)
    Provider Availability: 15 providers.

  • Procedure: Lung gas exchange test (CPT Code: 94729)
    Purpose: Tests how well your lungs transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide, which can explain breathlessness.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $70.48 (range $52.86 to $88.10)
    Provider Availability: 58 providers.

  • Procedure: Expiratory airflow test before and after medication (CPT Code: 94060)
    Purpose: Measures how airflow changes with medication, helpful in asthma diagnosis.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $51.06 (range $38.29 to $63.82)
    Provider Availability: 58 providers.

  • Procedure: Exercise-induced lung stress test (CPT Code: 94618)
    Purpose: Checks how well your lungs handle stress from exercise, identifying possible causes of breathlessness during activity.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $55.92 (range $37.07 to $74.77)
    Provider Availability: 38 providers.

Visit with a Cardiologist

  • Procedure: Established patient office visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Comprehensive heart-focused evaluation including symptoms, history, and physical exam.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $182.46 (range $136.85 to $228.08)
    Provider Availability: 181 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: Quick test to identify heart rhythm issues.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $24.10 (range $16.74 to $31.45)
    Provider Availability: 161 providers.

  • Procedure: Ultrasound of the heart with blood flow analysis (CPT Code: 93306)
    Purpose: Examines heart structure and blood flow to detect problems like valve issues or heart weakness.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $160.52 (range $114.08 to $206.95)
    Provider Availability: 169 providers.

  • Procedure: Stress heart ultrasound with ECG (CPT Code: 93351)
    Purpose: This test looks at how your heart functions under exercise or medication-induced stress.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $342.72 (range $186.94 to $498.50)
    Provider Availability: 32 providers.

  • Procedure: Comprehensive blood test (CPT Code: 80053)
    Purpose: Checks blood chemistry to help evaluate heart and overall health.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $17.31 (range $12.42 to $22.20)
    Provider Availability: 11 providers.

The most important thing you can do now is to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss your symptoms in detail. Here’s how to take charge of your health next:

  1. Schedule an Appointment: Start by contacting a Family Practice doctor or an Internal Medicine specialist in Phoenix, as they can evaluate your symptoms broadly and refer you to Pulmonary or Cardiology specialists if needed.
  2. Prepare for Your Visit: Write down your symptoms—including tiredness, shortness of breath, and weight changes—when they started, how they impact you daily, and any questions or concerns you have.
  3. Discuss Costs Upfront: When booking your appointment, ask about costs and whether the office offers payment plans or accepts your insurance. This will help you plan financially since the costs listed here are estimates for self-pay patients.
  4. Remember That You’re Doing the Right Thing: Reaching out for medical advice is a positive and empowering step toward improving your health and peace of mind.

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 only and is not a substitute for 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.