GoodHormoneHealth Online Endocrinology Service
Dr. Friedman provides a distinctive online/telemedicine endocrinology service accessible to patients across the country. With the onset of COVID, Dr. Friedman transitioned his practice from primarily in-person to predominantly telemedicine-based. This shift offers numerous benefits for patients, including the convenience of avoiding travel, increased scheduling flexibility, and the ability to conduct appointments from the comfort of their homes via phone or computer.
Endocrinology, a field where symptoms and laboratory tests take precedence over physical exams, allows Dr. Friedman to conduct thorough assessments online, even for conditions like Cushing’s disease. Each consultation, facilitated through straightforward and effective platforms like video and phone visits, is followed by a detailed summary to ensure high-quality care and personalized attention.
For those preferring in-person consultations, Dr. Friedman also provides monthly sessions at his Beverly Hills office. This blended approach ensures accessibility and tailored care to meet the diverse needs of his patients.
Why Choose the Online Endocrinology Services at GoodHormoneHealth?
Specialized Care From Home
Dr. Friedman’s innovative practice enables patients to conveniently consult with him from the comfort of their homes, breaking down geographical barriers. Unlike the customary experience of filling out numerous forms and undergoing unnecessary procedures at traditional endocrinology clinics, Dr. Friedman prioritizes your visit and your health. He devises an immediate plan for improving your well-being, supplemented by thorough laboratory testing. Following your consultation, you receive a detailed dictation summarizing your visit and another outlining your lab results. This focused attention ensures a patient-centric experience focused solely on enhancing your health.
Flexible Appointment Scheduling
His flexible scheduling system, powered by Acuity Scheduling, empowers patients to book appointments at their convenience, eliminating the need to wait for office hours. Acuity Scheduling further enhances convenience by enabling self-service appointment booking without the inconvenience of waiting on hold or callbacks. This user-friendly system allows you to easily view available appointments, offering unparalleled ease of access.
Secure and Confidential Virtual Consultations
Dr. Friedman’s telemedicine appointments guarantee complete confidentiality. You receive access to a secure folder on Dropbox, allowing you to share your results with anyone you choose. Your information remains strictly private, with no sharing outside of anyone you decide to share with, even with insurance companies. Dr. Friedman simplifies the process of obtaining your results, sparing you the hassle of logging onto platforms to communicate with him and his staff. This straightforward approach prioritizes your convenience and ensures swift access to vital information.
Meet Dr. Friedman
Dr. Friedman is an experienced endocrinologist with over 30 years of expertise in treating challenging cases across a spectrum of endocrinology issues. Establishing his private practice in 2000, he focuses on patients with complex thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary conditions, particularly those who have struggled to find a diagnosis or effective treatment locally.
Known for his innovative approach, Dr. Friedman combines outside-the-box thinking with a solid foundation in endocrinology literature and best practices. While his treatments may deviate from traditional approaches, they are firmly rooted in evidence-based research and have demonstrated efficacy with minimal side effects for most individuals.
Utilizing state-of-the-art laboratory tests, some of which may be unfamiliar to other practitioners, Dr. Friedman tailors comprehensive treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs, integrating medications, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments.
Specializing in pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal disorders, Dr. Friedman also possesses substantial expertise in managing conditions such as PCOS, menopausal symptoms, and hypogonadism, serving both male and female patients across all age groups. Although diabetes falls outside his primary focus, Dr. Friedman remains well-versed in principles related to glucose management and can provide assistance in this area as needed.
Expert Endocrinologist and Healthcare Leader
Dr. Friedman is a full-time endocrinologist at the Martin Luther King Outpatient Center, serving a diverse patient population. He also heads the Diabetes and Endocrinology Workgroup for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, influencing formulary decisions.
In addition to his work at Martin Luther King Outpatient Center, Dr. Friedman contributes to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and teaches at UCLA. As the Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at Charles R. Drew University, he has developed various teaching programs and published over 130 papers.
Patients consulting with Dr. Friedman can expect comprehensive care and innovative treatment approaches. He emphasizes timely follow-up and offers various telehealth options for appointments. Recognized for his expertise and commitment to patient care, Dr. Friedman is affectionately known as “The Wiz” by his patients.
Dr. Friedman is Committed to Quality Care and Patient satisfaction.
Dr. Friedman works very hard to satisfy his patients and make sure all their questions are answered. Although his appointments are fast-paced, he makes sure to give patients a dictation after each appointment that summarizes the visit so you do not have to take notes as you are talking to him. He also does not waste time with having patients fill out surveys and questionnaires that no one looks at, as other doctors often do.
Dr. Friedman will also give you a second dictation after your initial set of laboratory tests, which summarizes his care based on the laboratory tests that come in. For optimal efficiency, he recommends getting your follow-up laboratory tests done before each appointment. This way, he has both the test results and his previous dictation readily available during your consultation.
Conditions Treated: Endocrine Disorders Addressed Through Online Consultation
Thyroid Conditions
Dr. Friedman is one of the world’s experts in pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid problems. These include:
- Evaluation and treatment of various conditions such as Cushing’s disease, hypopituitarism, growth hormone deficiency, and adrenal insufficiency.
- Specialized management of hyperthyroidism (commonly associated with Graves’ disease) and hypothyroidism (often linked to Hashimoto’s disease).
He provides a range of treatments for these conditions, such as desiccated thyroid and T4/T3 combination therapies for patients with hypothyroidism, which are often overlooked or misunderstood by many endocrinologists.
Cushing’s Disease
In terms of Cushing’s disease, he is one of the world’s experts and has written textbook chapters on adrenal disorders for Cecil’s Essentials of Medicine. Dr. Friedman employs multiple reliable tests to diagnose Cushing’s disease accurately, avoiding outdated or low predictive value tests. With a focus on personalized care, he initiates treatment promptly, including medications to lower cortisol levels or surgery when appropriate. Having treated over 2000 patients with Cushing’s disease, Dr. Friedman’s extensive experience sets him apart.
Trained at the Cushing’s ward of the NIH in the early 1990s, he utilizes advanced diagnostic techniques. Unlike many endocrinologists who may overlook comprehensive testing, Dr. Friedman ensures a thorough approach, preventing patients from being left undiagnosed and referred back to their primary doctors.
Comprehensive Endocrine Care for Complex Issues
Dr. Friedman’s expertise extends beyond common endocrine conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease. He specializes in managing complex issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menopause management, hormone replacement therapy, and hypogonadism in men. Dr. Friedman adopts a holistic approach to endocrine disorders, ensuring thorough consideration, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment while prioritizing the minimization of side effects. He frequently discovers overlooked abnormalities in patients, which can be corrected with hormonal supplements or medications, significantly improving quality of life.
Additionally, Dr. Friedman collaborates with patients and their healthcare providers to optimize hormone health, taking into account other medical conditions for comprehensive care. His commitment to patient education is evident through extensive publications on hormone disorders and the provision of webinars and articles on his website to assist patients in navigating their endocrine disorders.
How It Works: Navigating Your Consultation with Dr. Friedman
Scheduling Your Online Consultation
Booking an appointment with Dr. Friedman is simple and convenient. Visit his website, goodhormonehealth.com, where you can easily schedule either a telemedicine or in-person appointment. A deposit is required at the time of booking, which is fully refundable within six months if you need to cancel. Once your appointment is set, you’ll receive a secure Dropbox link to upload any relevant materials for Dr. Friedman’s review. If your appointment includes a pituitary MRI review, Dr. Friedman will provide instructions on how to upload the MRI images to his portal. For additional information or assistance, Dr. Friedman’s helpful staff is always available.
Preparing for Your Initial Visit
To make the most of your initial consultation, Dr. Friedman requests copies of your recent endocrine labs and imaging reports. While he doesn’t need every detail, he prioritizes essential labs and clearly labeled documentation. Organizing your medical history with flow sheets and timelines can be beneficial, and patients are encouraged to upload photos of relevant signs or symptoms. During your appointment, Dr. Friedman will conduct a virtual visit with a physical exam.
Insurance and Payment
While Dr. Friedman does not accept insurance for consultations, he provides a superbill with correct diagnosis codes for patients to seek reimbursement from their insurance providers. His rates are reasonable and vary by appointment length, consistent with industry standards. Payments are processed securely through PayPal, and Dr. Friedman’s staff assists with pre-authorizations for imaging and medications. Laboratory tests can be ordered through LabCorp or Quest, depending on insurance coverage. Despite potential insurance limitations, patients often find the quality of care and Dr. Friedman’s expertise well worth the investment.
Patient Education and Community Engagement
Dr. Friedman’s patient-centered philosophy prioritizes education and empowerment. He encourages patients to take an active role in their health, providing resources and knowledge to guide their care journey. Through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, Dr. Friedman fosters a supportive community where patients can share experiences and insights. Unlike traditional approaches that discourage patient education, Dr. Friedman champions informed decision-making and values patient engagement in their healthcare.
FAQ’s About Online Endocrinologist Appointments
How does one make an appointment to see Dr. Friedman?
Please go to his website, goodhormonehealth.com, and schedule an appointment through the Acuity system. You will be asked to choose a new patient appointment, and you can choose either telemedicine or in-person. You will then be asked to put a deposit down of $100, or you can pay the full rate of $375 for a 45-minute appointment. You will then be given the option to pick your appointment date and time from the available appointments. There is no back and forth with staff members, and you can pick whatever time is convenient for you.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes, all patients are required to pay a deposit. It is fully refundable if canceled within 6 months of the payment. However, most patients plan to keep their appointments with Dr. Friedman.
Once I am an established patient of Dr. Friedman, how do I communicate with his office?
Communication is usually by e-mail. Dr. Friedman is fully accessible for short e-mail questions and is happy to help you if you have any questions about how to take your medicines, side effects, or testing questions. For longer questions, he requests you to set up a follow-up appointment.
How do I upload laboratory tests?
Dr. Friedman’s staff will give you access to a secure Dropbox portal where you can upload laboratory tests. He recommends only uploading labs related to endocrinology and concentrating on newer tests. He encourages patients to make spreadsheets and list their test values.
How do I upload my MRIs?
Dr. Friedman reviews pituitary MRIs. Prior to the appointment, you upload the images on a secure portal called Purview. Dr. Friedman’s staff will provide you information about how to upload to Purview. There is a technical support number for Purview listed on the sheet if you have any questions.
Once I am an established patient with Dr. Friedman, how do I schedule a follow-up appointment?
After your initial patient, Dr. Friedman will suggest to you when to schedule your next follow-up appointment. It will usually be by telephone, although he also does e-mail appointments. He will recommend a time for laboratory testing and provide you with laboratory orders to take to LabCorp or Quest. He does book out pretty quickly, so he does recommend scheduling your follow-up appointment right away.
How do I do laboratory testing?
Dr. Friedman has accounts at both Quest and LabCorp and will send you a requisition after your appointment. He does not recommend testing before your appointment. He emails you the laboratory requisition so it does not get lost. You bring it to LabCorp or Quest and have your blood tests done with them. Dr. Friedman will provide diagnostic codes for your testing, so it should be covered by insurance. He does not bill you separately for laboratory testing.
How do I arrange for refills if I am an established patient?
Dr. Friedman usually gives you a 3-month prescription with 3 refills, although controlled substances are often less due to legal requirements. He electronically prescribes them to your pharmacy of choice. He requests the pharmacy to respond back on their electronic prescription system for refills, and patients can follow up with an e-mail to the staff.
What technical resources are available to help Dr. Friedman’s patients?
Dr. Friedman’s staff is very willing to help make your appointment as easy as possible. For those with an iPhone, he calls via FaceTime. For those who do not have access to FaceTime, he uses a program called Doximity, and you will get a text message to link up with Dr. Friedman. For out-of-the-country patients, he will contact you via Zoom and will send you a Zoom invite before your appointment.
What are the advantages of using Dr. Friedman’s telemedicine consultation? Dr. Friedman is quite experienced with telemedicine, and he will make sure that your visit is smooth and informative and gets you on the road to getting healthy again.
Scheduling an Online Consultation With Dr. Friedman
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Friedman, visit his website at goodhormonehealth.com and choose from a range of options, including new patient in-person and telemedicine appointments and follow-up visits. Should you have any inquiries, feel free to reach out to his staff for assistance. Dr. Friedman is committed to collaborating with you to optimize your hormone health.
Dr. Friedman’s web site does not offer medical advice. These materials are offered for information purposes only. Do not act or rely upon information from goodhormonehealth.com without seeking professional medical advice. Additionally, the transmission of information from the website, goodhormonehealth.com to you, is not intended to create nor does create a physician-patient relationship between you and Dr. Friedman.