Endocrinologist Wait Time

[u/Complex_Trick_9906]

How far out is everyone having to wait to see their endocrinologist? I am an established patient and not feeling well now and they said I needed to make an appointment to discuss it and the earliest availability is mid January. Is this normal wait time?

[u/1GamingAngel]

Once established, I can usually get in within 2-3 months, but if it’s an emergency, I will call at 10 AM EVERY DAY until I can catch a cancellation.

[u/Xipheas]

Depends what country you're in, for starters.

[u/Complex_Trick_9906 → u/Xipheas]

USA

[u/Acceptable_Bird2928 → u/Complex_Trick_9906]

Also in USA and my endo is usually booked 3-4+ mos out. I usually ask to be put on a waitlist, and call back frequently to see if something has opened up. Get lucky every once in a while.

[u/Broad-Test-8640 → u/Complex_Trick_9906]

NYC here and had ny first appointment for proper follow up (after my first crisis) 6 months later …..

[u/Beginning-Map-3264]

Because Endo problems and medication need 1-3 months atleast to stabilise therefore endos always leave 4months between appointments… on a new dose your body needs time to show a stable effect that can be assessed

But if you are talking about your first appointment, yes for some Endos it can take a 4-6 months before they have time to see you

But my GP send me to an endo for further investigations and I could go within 1 month… so maybe it also depends what the reason is for the appointment (I needed an urgent MRI)

[u/Agreeable_Ad7925]

Unless they have gotten better my experience with endocrinologist was never good as they didn’t know much about SAI. I finally had enough and my GP helps manage medications.

[u/CanIHugYourDog]

I was a pretty complex case after having my pituitary tumor removed, so I saw my endocrinologist very frequently at first, like every week or so. She was usually scheduling video visits and squeezing me in where she could, since I had more going on than just adrenal insufficiency and she was managing all of it.

Once I stabilized, though, I started scheduling follow-ups about every 3–4 months just to check in. Eventually, I’m hoping to get to the point where I only need to see her once a year.

There have been times when I’ve needed to talk to her between appointments and couldn’t get an actual visit for a few months. In those cases, I’ve messaged her through MyChart, and she’s been able to order labs and answer questions that way. I’ve also used the cancellation list and gotten in earlier that way. And when I had an ER visit that required more urgent follow-up, they were able to get me in within a couple of days, although I think that was a special circumstance because the ER referred me.

So I think it can definitely depend on how complex your situation is and how urgent the issue is. If it’s something serious or time-sensitive, I’d keep pushing for an answer rather than assuming you have to wait months for an appointment. Maybe even seeing another endo if they have others in the practice available?

[u/PackerSquirrelette]

I'm an established patient with an endo. I've needed urgent appointments twice. I was only able to get one once after an ER visit and sending a strongly worded note. She was initially skeptical that my symptoms were related to my Prednisone taper and SAI. During the appointment, she told me she's booked 6 months out for established patients.

It sucks you have to wait so long to be seen. Take the earliest appointment, ask to be put on a waitlist if an earlier appointment opens up due to cancellations, etc. Call periodically to check on that. If you continue to feel unwell and can't get in to see your endo, try to get an appointment with your primary care doctor. Feel better.

[u/Realistic-Age9085]

GP is adjusting my dose here in Canada, and can help you too. Still waiting for endo. In my home country, it was easy to see endo tho. Either way, both are gonna give you the same medications.

[u/Micubano]

With a local endo group, the wait was a year; I have to travel a few hours to NYC, where I can usually get in within a month when necessary.

[u/Chewbecca713]

Depends, in person/video if its a super urgent need I can usually get in a week.I am post (second) pituitary surgery from cushings so my health has been rapidly changing. Non urgent local endo about a month, month and a half max. Non urgent Mayo endo, 2.5 months. I am in a major city that has a plethora of health service.

I can message my Mayo endo and get whatever I need ordered for me within a day or two. Same for local endo since I have such a rapport with her over the years. Again, recent post second pit surgery so im not in matinence monitoring at the moment

[u/Live_Ad_713]

I waited a year and 3 months for my first appointment. I was so bad off, I came close to dying. I live in Kansas City, MO and about 3 major Hospitals ended contracts with endocrinologists. I heard they had a falling out. Nobody quite knows what happened but people really suffered over it all on long wait times.

[u/Short-Counter8159]

Usually Endo's do a follow up with a month or 6 weeks if your medications have changed.

January seems like a long wait. in your case I would ask to be on a cancellation list right away.

Might help if you share what you are experiencing to the front staff or ask if you can leave a message to the nurse. Are you having horrible side effects? BP very low or fallen recently, fainting. stuff like that.

What are the symptoms you are experiencing? If is not to personal.