Advice on getting referrals with specialist
Hello! I am looking for advice / suggestions, this is hardly a new subject in this group, but still, I appreciate any help I can get.
I have been having some health concerns that, even when not urgent atm, I would not like to ignore. I called my GP’s office today to try and schedule a consult, instead the assistant told me that I would get a call next week to discuss my symptoms. This already does not feel like a great start, but I want to remain hopeful and be prepared for the call. This is why I am asking for your help.
For some context, I have been having several symptoms that I believe might need specialist care. First, I would like to see a physiotherapist. I got an email a couple of weeks ago from my insurance company saying that I can ask for this treatment, but I need a referral from my GP. The GP's assistant told me that I can just go without referral, but then I think it would not be covered by my insurance, that is why I am asking for it.
Additionally, I highly suspect I might have insulin resistance. I have been reading and researching about it a lot, because the symptoms sound very familiar to me, but of course I do not want to diagnose myself. One of the most concerning symptoms (in my opinion), is that I have been having alterations on my cycle, this is actually what ultimately got my attention. I think a gynecologist or an endocrinologist would be best fit to assess this.
I am well aware of the hassle that dealing with the Dutch healthcare system can be, and therefore I want to be as ready as I can be to advocate for my health. I appreciate any suggestions you may have to get what I need.
If anyone has insulin resistance in particular, I would love to hear your stories.
If you got this far, thank you for reading and thank you in advance for your advice!