Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center Virtual Second Opinion
The Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center offers state of the art online thyroid consultations for distant thyroid patients unable to travel to see Dr. Guttler.
 You will not be treated as just a "consult", but as a living, breathing human with a thyroid problem.
Dr. Guttler will personally deal with your problem. He will write you, or your doctor if you wish, an opinion after review of all the medical records and laboratory results. He may ask for blood to be sent to his thyroid laboratory to continue the investigation into your thyroid problem. He may need to see the actual slides from a thyroid needle biopsy or thyroid surgery slides.
Unlike big impersonal centers with online consultation services staffed by hundreds of physicians, such as John Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, or Massachusetts General, Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center is a small private complete thyroid center, where Dr. Guttler does all the consultations personally. Dr. Guttler’s staff includes the same nurse, front office, and office manager for over 13 years. The lab director, Dr. Carole Spencer, has run the thyroid lab since 1974. Experienced, friendly staff is needed to allow Dr. Guttler to efficiently help you work through your thyroid problem. It also says a lot about Dr. Guttler, as an employer, that his staff is not turning over frequently.
Do I Need a Virtual Second Opinion
Should I pursue a radioactive iodine treatment? Will the therapy recommended by my doctor address my problem fully? What are my treatment options? These and many other questions are common if you, or someone you love, have a thyroid illness.
When faced with a difficult decision, it is usually helpful to gather other points of view. Often a second opinion can provide reassurance that a prescribed treatment is best or it can be a safeguard against inappropriate or unnecessary treatment.
When it comes to your health and well-being, confidently understanding your condition and options is a crucial first step in pursuing what is best for you. Now you can access a second opinion from one of the nation’s best thyroid physicians, in the comfort of your home, through Thyroid.com.
What is Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion?
Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion is a web-based extension of the Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center, with thirty years in business as one of America’s most respected thyroid referral centers, and providing thyroid consultations and second opinions using the internet since 1996.
Why was Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion established?
Today patients, especially those in high-stress situations, making decisions about treatment for themselves or a family member are actively seeking reliable information and knowledgeable guidance. The Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center historically has been a resource for physicians and patients seeking thyroid second opinions, and the internet gives us a channel to continue fulfilling that role.
What is the key benefit for patients who use Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion?
Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion provides patients with convenient access to a nationally recognized thyroidologist for a second opinion without the time or expense of travel.
How will the patient’s privacy be protected?
Thyroid.com, the Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center and the Virtual Second Opinion service adhere to the highest standards of privacy. Patient information will be sent in written form to the patient rather than over the internet.
What are typical next steps after obtaining a Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion?
Once a written second opinion is obtained from Dr. Guttler, the patient has many options:
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They may visit Dr. Guttler at the Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center for a complete in-depth one-to-two day evaluation, where the complete thyroid physical examination will be performed.
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Patients may proceed to the treatment that was originally recommended by their own physician.
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They may ask their physician to consult with Dr. Guttler or other specialist, or they may decide they want to seek another opinion or arrange for another physician’s visit.
Also, Dr. Guttler may recommend a thyroidologist nearer to the patient’s home.
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What differentiates Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion from other sites and physicians offering second opinions on the web?
The Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion differs from other internet second opinion portals in that the program goes beyond reviewing slides and studies to provide the kind of detailed thyroid consultation second opinion patients receive in person at the Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center. The Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center is a one-stop complete thyroid center offering radioactive treatment, thyroid scans, thyroid biopsies, and thyroid cancer treatment – so that the patient can have a complete evaluation within one or two days in most cases. The same attention to detail is given in our virtual second opinion service since 1996. At Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion, patients are not just consults, they are formally registered at the Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center. They are treated similarly to patients who have physically come in to the Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center and their records become a formal medical record at the Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center. A nurse is available to our Virtual Second Opinion patients, and she will contact every patient who receives a second opinion to make sure that all of their questions have been answered. Also, Dr. Guttler reviews the original materials such as x-rays, MRIs and pathology slides, rather than copies. In addition, when possible, our service provides the second opinion directly to the patient, which gives the patient complete privacy and autonomy. Upon request, a second copy can be sent to the primary physician.
Is the Thyroid.com Virtual Second Opinion available to everyone?
The Virtual Second Opinion program is available in most locations. Patients may access the Virtual Second Opinion service directly through thyroid.com. In some states, to comply with state licensing requirements, the patient’s physician may need to sign a request for outside consultation form. This form is presently online to the patient. Once the form is signed and returned to Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Center, the patient will work directly with us to complete the Virtual Second Opinion request. The program is not available in a few states that do not allow for remote consultations. Patients who are in those states will be notified that the service is not available to them. Please click the "Excluded Locations" navigation button or click here for list of excluded states and countries.
After viewing the other information pages linked to the navigation buttons in the navigation bar to the left and you still have questions, please call:
1-800-408-4909
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