Nathan Becker, MD

It seems like many of the negative reviews for Dr. Becker are from people who haven’t actually been treated by him. Yes, he is expensive and doesn’t take insurance. Unfortunately, this is not an unusual practice among many specialists across different fields of medicine. In fact, you’ll find many top holistic doctors charging an equivalent amount over the course of treatment.
It is truly a terrible thing that many people can’t afford to be treated by top doctors. That having been said:
He is privy to the cutting edge of research for thyroid disorders. He has 40+ years of clinical experience. He cares more about results than theory. He is actually a bit unorthodox is his approach, which is why he works.
I’m still in the process of reaching my «optimal» levels, though since I have been seeing him, it’s like night and day from how I was before (and I’ve been seeing him for only 6 months). It takes a long time to find and acclimate to the right dosage.
In response to Anonymous’ review: Dr. Becker does not prescribe Synthroid and believes it is not an effective medication. I don’t think it is ethical to write a review about a doctor who hasn’t treated you.

Nathan Becker is one of the most respected endocrinologists in the country, and for good reason. He is not only extremely dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable in his field, he possesses a rare gift not often seen with highly accomplished specialists: he truly cares about and connects with his patients. He LISTENS to what they say, and doesn’t merely rely on test results to determine what’s happening or what to do next. He embodies the principle of medicine being as much an art as a science. He functionally gives credence to thinking out of the box and puts the patient first when diagnosing and prescribing.
Personally, Dr Becker turned my life around many years ago, and has kept me stable and healthy through a host of hormonal ups and downs. Working with hormones is a highly refined process and can profoundly affect so many things we take for granted. There is a direct connection between quality of life and a healthy endocrine system. For those of us dealing with this challenge, working with someone like Dr Becker is not just a life-​saver, but offers a level of health and wholeness that, unfortunately, is all too rare. Yes, he’s expensive, yes he doesn’t take insurance (though his staff is very helpful with insurance matters). But he samples generously, and does as much as he can to make it workable for his patients
Note to «Anonymous»: I took Armour thyroid for years, enduring a lot of hormonal peaks and valleys in the process that had nothing to do with dosage, but the effects of the same dosage over time, which were not consistent. What I subsequently discovered long ago from Dr Becker is that, though Armour utilizes «natural» animal products in their formulations, they have been unable to standardize the potencies of the active ingredient in their medications. Thus, from batch to batch, one may get more or less of the hormone. Since then, new thyroid medications have come on the market that are more reliable and more targeted, and Dr Becker is utilizing these. «Natural» does not always equal true, better or more effective.
Becker is definitely part of the Integrative Medicine movement, and has been for years.
Thank god for doctors like him.

Doesn’t take top of the line insurance (or any for that matter), doesn’t believe in armour thyroid (which is a life saver for countless people) and doesn’t accept patients unless they are doctor referrals. Wth?
Don’t waste your time calling here unless you’re loaded and don’t mind taking Synthyroid and all it’s side effects (which is a synthetic thyroid medicine).

He is my guru and a miracle worker! I had a terrible run with a kaiser endocrinologist while trying to get pregnant. She refused to listen to me at all. I had all kinds of issues. I went to Dr Becker who figured out my issues within the first 10 minutes of actually examining me. Almost two years later I have a beautiful baby girl thanks to this man. He is worth every single cent I pay to see him. It is well worth it. If it weren’t for him Id have spent tens of thousands on IVF. I’m not freezing anymore. I have my energy back. I owe him my life. Love love love this man!

Response to Rachel F.: Typically, people don’t go to an endocrinologist unless they know they have an endocrinology issue. E.g., Why would I see a brain surgeon unless I knew that my condition needed one? Endo is highly specialized. Without a prior diagnosis of thyroid disease, diabetes, etc., or a referral to an Endo, I’m not sure why you’d «slap down $ 800» to see Dr. Becker. I am grateful for Dr Becker’s direct conversation. If I want a cheerleader, I can find one in the yellow pages under «L» for Life Coach. I want a doctor who will fight for my health. Dr Becker is this man.
To All: Dr Becker is not insulting. Rather, he has a dry sense of humor (as do I), so I «get» him. Once you’ve been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, then you see Dr Becker. He is not afraid to aggressively treat the condition. Metaphorically speaking, I haven’t encountered a physician so far who has extended his hand in solidarity, fully prepared to walk this walk with me to help me get better. Dr Becker is amazing. But again, spend your money wisely and try to get your diagnosis first from your PCP. Thyroid diseases are easily diagnosed with blood work or ultrasound. Just about any physician can do that. But «any physician» can not TREAT the disease. This is what requires an endocrinology genius like Dr Becker.
I have seen Dr Becker twice now, and I’ve been on meds for a month. I’ve noticed an improvement already (so has my husband). At my first appointment, I felt totally betrayed by my Primary Care Physician who, after diagnosing me with Hashimoto’s Disease nearly 4 years ago, was content to let the anti-​thyroid Peroxidase antibodies «kill» the gland. Only then would he prescribe Synthroid.
Many doctors will not treat Hashimoto’s when you have a normal TSH level. I realize what I’m about to say is an over-​simplification. But too many doctors don’t understand that with a disease like Hashi’s, your thyroid is working overtime to try to keep the TSH level «normal» because the gland is under constant attack by the antibody. This screws up your metabolism just as hypothyroidism does.
The cost to see Dr Becker is the best $ 1,300 we’ve spent ($ 800 for initial consult; he spent over 90 min. with me + $ 500 for the follow-​up appt). It was simple to submit the bills to Anthem Blue Cross on my own and am awaiting reimbursement. Have your labs done through your network & this will keep your costs down, as well.
When I first read through all the reviews of Dr. Becker, I kept saying, «This is me.» Now I count myself among the many who say, «Dr Becker gave me my life back.» I’m not «there» yet. But for the first time in years, I can go for walks. I don’t feel like napping all day. I’ve just started on this path with Dr Becker; and at my last appt., he said «We’ll do this together.» I finally have someone who gives a damn about treating this horrible Hashimoto’s Disease which sucks the life out of you. Thank you, Dr Becker.
[Edited for clarity on 7/​8/​14]

I saw Doctor Becker at the height of my hashimotos illness, feeling exhausted and foggy all the time and, based on these reviews, was expecting a miracle worker. Dr. Becker’s approach is to prescribe medication. Period. Yes, he will prescribe you medication when other doctors won’t, but that was the extent of my experience. He was certain that I had to keep raising my thyroid dose until all of my symptoms went away. For some reason my body reacted terribly to the medication and after almost a year of the symptoms not budging, I moved on to a different doctor. He never once mentioned diet (which is intimately linked to thyroid health) or supplements or adrenals or gut health or any of the other things that have ultimately made the symptoms go away. It is wonderful that so many people have found their way back to health with his guidance, but given the thousands of dollars I spent on his services, I am shocked at his one-​dimensional approach. I’d say try a naturopathic MD before shelling out $ 800/​$ 500 a visit.

He is amazing and he deserves all the good reviews he got !
I have a great family history of diabetes and I was pre diabetic my self.
I had 2 endocronologist before I met him, but I didn’t get the result.
He found out that one great factor is my thyroid, the reason that other two doctors didn’t even wrote exam for it.
Now I get rid of the dangerous pre diabetes situation, and I am so happy about it.
His staff are helpful, nice and respectful as well.
The only issue is it is so expensive and not accepting insurance, which when it comes to your health, you will pay and come out of the office happy because of the result you got.

Dr. Becker is the Cesar Millan of thyroids and he saved my life.
I am a 28 year old who over the past 4 years has been chasing a «mystery illness.» It caused me to become insulin resistant, gain 55 pounds, have acne like a 14 year old boy, feel miserable and act pretty much psychotic at times.
12 MDs, 4 specialist, 3 ER visits, 1 tonsillectomy, 1 brain tumor «scare», and over 25k in medical bills, I was just about to give up on it all. Then I found Dr. Becker.
He doesn’t «take insurance» but you can bill your insurance yourself. After 6 months of seeing him I feel like someone has given me my entire life and future back. Sure, fighting thyroid problems is going to be challenging at times, but I NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO FIGHT IT.
I would spend 10x the amount just to see him. He gets it, understands it, doesn’t judge and truly listens. Oh and he is hysterical to top it all off.
Go. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

He is the expert in all things thyroid/​diabetes. Unfortunately, I have Grave’s and my husband has Hashimoto’s so our kids don’t have a chance. I wouldn’t have thought so when I first met him but he is amazing with kids. He’s literally saved my life and greatly improved my husband’s quality of life. I had, previously, seen the expert in my area and he just about killed me. Strictly looked at he labs and totally ignored the obvious symptoms. He even told me to call no matter the hour and took the calls in the middle of the night when I was pregnant and having some serious issues.
Yes he is sarcastic (which is probably what make me like him more) and he doesn’t put up with patients’ making excuses or who are in denial about how they treat their bodies which is awesome for some of the people I know who see him including myself some days. And, yes, he is expensive and doesn’t take insurance (you bill your own). I no longer have insurance that covers him and I still pay out of pocket. He’s worth every penny and he doesn’t waste your money. If you can do labs through your regular doc, he will just use those, etc. If you don’t waste his time and do labs elsewhere you can get out for cheaper. Again, you get what you pay for and he’s worth it.
The only thing I could ever suggest to improve his practice is a sheet of thyroid tips. There are so many things to know. Don’t eat this while on thyroid, take thyroid at this time, supplement with that, etc. There’s so much to know he can’t possibly remember to tell everyone everything.

At every appointment, he tells me to call him if anything changes in how I am feeling. However, when I DO call, it takes him almost a week to return the call, and he has his staff do it. So you are out of luck if you have any questions about his reply. It may be time to find another doctor.

He is AMAZING! For all of those who poo poo him for his fees, trust me he is worth every penney and wow, he actually spends TIME and LISTENS to you. People come from far distances to see him because he is so knowledgeable. For many years I have bounced around the Bay Area going to endos with my issues, he was the first one that knew what he was talking about and actually BELIEVED me. I have a history of auto-​immune thyroid disease in my family, yet NONE of the other docs ran the basic antibodies test on me. Mine were thru the roof! I’m so glad that he is my doctor!

Here’s the thing: Yes, Dr. Becker is expensive, but for me, going to him has meant that I don’t need to go to all of the other specialists I used to see as I was chasing my health problems all over the place and getting sicker.
I saw him yesterday and he asked: «Have you had any health problems, new medications, doctor’s visits?» And I just sat there and thought — No, for the first time in decades, no. Dr. Becker put me on total thyroid replacement a few years ago, and no other doctor would have, because my blood tests were normal. But I was as sick as a dog — 50 pounds overweight, skin problems, annoyingly early peri-​menopause. chronic pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, severe depression, and chronic bilateral tinnitus.
And I was doing everything right — eating carefully, exercising, vitamins, you name it. I spent many years in alternative medicine wasting my money and losing my health, and like another woman here, it was a therapist who looked at my symptoms and suggested Dr. Becker.
I feel funny about this, because none of my other doctors caught this, and none of my current doctors would ever put me on thyroid, and certainly not on a total replacement dosage. When Dr. Becker suggested that I had thyroid disease, even though my blood didn’t show it, I was really suspicious. But Dr. Becker was right — and he got me off of the antidepressants that were making me fat and onto Cytomel, and I’m fine. I’ve lost the weight, I only have pain if I eat grains or too high carb, I’m not depressed … he was right.
Here’s a way to save money — don’t have his office do the blood draws or send out the lab work — or any imaging. You’ll pay top of the hill prices. Instead, get a lab slip about a month before your visit, and do the draw and the labs in your own medical system. See him twice a year. And say goodbye to all of your other doctors. You won’t need them.
If your problem is related to thyroid or prediabetes, that is.

YES, we are big fans of Dr. Becker. My 18 year old daughter had lost about ¹⁄₃ of her hair over a 3 year period (luckily she had a lot of hair to begin with). I had her to several M.D.‘s including endocrinologists, before finding Dr. Becker — they all knew that she had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism when she was 8 years old and on levoxyl ever since. But NONE of them would make any changes. They would just say that her TSH was within normal limits. Nothing was being done for this poor self-​conscious, teenaged girl who was losing SO much hair. Dr. Becker, on our very first visit, changed her medication and after 2 ½ months on the new medication, she noticed that her hair stopped falling out at such a great rate — that it seemed to be a «normal fall-​out»!! We are so grateful. Dr. Becker is a wonderful man, a wonderful caring, informed doctor who I would highly recommend.
The only thing negative is that I never get a phone call regarding test results. And any concerns I have and relay to his office or any information I pass on to him through his office seems to fall somewhere into a very deep crack. At our very first visit, Dr. Becker was visibly shocked at one of the blood tests results. The result was 4x that of normal. I KNOW for a fact that the results were received by his office over a week before our appt. Luckily, everything is working out all right — -but because he was made aware so long after the test, the end result could have been devastating. Poor communication between office and patient, and office and doctor.

This review is for Dr. Buxton, not Dr. Becker.
I love Dr. Buxton and I’ll tell you why. He is so knowledgeable! In my first appointment, he figured out what was going on with my Graves Disease in about 20 minutes, whereas my old endocrinologist told me the symptoms I was having weren’t related and kept my dose too high and told me to just keep doing bloodwork! I wish I would’ve seen him years ago! I wouldn’t be going through what I’m going through now. He explained why doing RAI is still standard practice, but he doesn’t recommend it anymore because a lot of people post-​RAI go through a lot of problems. THAT’S ME! He’s given me a supplement to get rid of the Graves antibodies that are making me lethargic and low-​immune where I get sick all the time. Thank you, Dr. Buxton!!!
It’s easy to get an appointment with him and yes, he DOES take insurance. I have United Heathcare and my copay is $ 50/​visit because he’s a specialist. Everything else is paid for. Minus lab copays, of course.
That being said, the only problem I’m having (why I gave 4 stars out of 5) is that communication seems to be a really hard thing for this office to get. It takes a week for someone to return a phone call. Really? I ask when I should get blood work and you call a week later and tell me to do it immediately? I need medication and no one faxes back a refill to the pharmacy for days?! I leave a message asking someone to call me back same day and it doesn’t happen? Sad. So so sad.
The end this review on a positive note, because I do love this office tremendously, FREE SAMPLES OF MEDICATION ARE THE BOMB! I’ve saved so much money on Synthroid in the past year. Thank you so much, Dr. Buxton!

Dr. Becker is a miracle worker.
Ours turns two next month. :-)

Whoaaaa, takes NO insurance, and the initial visit is at least $ 800 with follow ups being at least $ 500? Who can afford that?! Should be illegal… that’s so lame. No one doctor is worth paying that to.

Sorry for the one star — I have not seen him as he takes NO INSURANCE which I did not see in other reviews.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Becker since March of 2003, 3 to 4 times a year, and have never been disappointed. Yes, the initial consultation fee is expensive (mine was around 895 $) as are the subsequent visits (around $ 605). but:
1. most can submit the paperwork themselves to insurance for partial reimbursement, even if he is an out-​of-​area provider
2. He spends a QUALITY amt of time with you each and EVERY visit, despite the people waiting in the waiting room. Knowing this is why I gladly wait for my turn.
3. He is willing to treat your symptoms despite the fact that you may have been told by other doctors that your thyroid panel is «normal» or «borderline normal»
4. He is a WEALTH of knowledge and experience in this highly specialized area. Diabetes and Insulin resistance too are a part of his expertise.
5. Bring a bag: He and his staff will stock you with Rx samples, when possible before you leave the office: like Rx trick-​or-​treat.
I was at my wit’s end back in 2003, when my hair fell out and I resorted to a wig, couldn’t remember in mid-​drive where I was going, gained 40 pounds, and was so depressed I was suicidal. No MD or psychiatrist/​counselor could help me, as I was only «borderline low» on my thyroid panels. Antidepression meds made me worse. It wasn’t until a THERAPIST, of all people, listened to me, looked over my labs, and decided that indeed my thyroid probably WAS to blame. It was that THERAPIST that referred me to Dr. Becker. Within 3 weeks of my first visit (3 weeks of being on synthroid and cytomel), I felt HUMAN for the first time in FIVE YEARS.
You want this doctor.

I went to Dr. Becker expecting to be wowed beyond belief, considering the reviews I had read. People described him as being akin to Jesus, exuding compassionate healing power through his very pores.
I, on the other hand, well… Let’s just say, «Meh. I’ve experienced better.»
I felt that Dr. Becker treated me as any other case, diagnosed me on the basis of statistics only, did not really treat my symptoms as «valid» or with much – or any – perceivable compassion. In fact, I felt that he «Meh-​ed» my symptoms. So here I am, «meh-​ing» him.
I have a follow-​up appointment tomorrow. I may re-​review then, but at present, I give him an enthusiastic ½ thumb up. I bit off the other half while I was waiting in the aptly-​named waiting room.

As with most small medical practices in the past few years, Nathan Becker and Eric Buxton’s office has you pay the full amount and then bill your insurance yourself afterwards. They are not terribly cheap, but I pay the full amount without insurance gladly (I’m part of an HMO and started seeing Dr. Buxton before this job and insurance).
Dr. Buxton (Dr. Becker’s son-​in-​law and protégé) has saved my life. Dr. Becker single-​handedly saved my dad’s life. Thyroid problems run in my family– every member of my immediate family has Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis– and we feel extremely blessed to have found Dr. Becker and Dr. Buxton.
In the waiting room, I’ve encounter people not only from all over the country, but occasionally from all over the world. I remember one visit meeting people who had traveled to see Dr. Becker from Japan. My father travels to San Francisco several times a year from New Mexico to see Dr. Becker.
For me, I would rather feel better and spend more money than entrust my health to someone who doesn’t really know what he or she is doing. If you have insurance, call them ahead of time and see if they will cover part of it. I’m telling you, its worth it…