Austin Thyroid & Endocrinology

Once Dr. Rose Schneier left Austin Thyroid and Endocrinology, I was given to Alexis Holder, PA as a client. In my years here post-Rose, I have not seen a doctor, only the PA. She spends 5-10 minutes on me if I'm lucky, completely ignores my concerns, and keeps recommending the insulin pump for any issue that I bring up, also threatens me with warnings of complications, as if I haven't been aware of those since diagnosis.. I have been on injections successfully before, but had many problems the two times I was on the pump. I had to go to the ER yesterday because my sugar wouldn't stay under 400 for two days. The doctor there rehydrated me and recommended that I call the doctor's office first thing in the morning. He seemed confident that they would see me. I've left two messages AND spoken with a nurse who said she'd call me back. That was almost 3 hours ago, and still no call. This is an important issue that needs attention now, and I'm pretty sure I need to see a real doctor, since Alexis is so unhelpful. more

I'm been seeing endocrinologists for years, and Dr. Scumpia reminds me of the first doctors that I saw who ignored their patients (and neglected to treat them). She has put me in a medically worse-off position in that she insisted on changing medication and levels from my previous doctor. She then refused to let me back on the medication I'd been successfully taking for 5 years (with NO problems, I might add). I am now back to being very hypothyroid and have to find yet another doctor who will treat me. more

TESTS, TESTS AND MORE TESTS....I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the 1980's. You might say that running all those tests are a good thing and you might say that just because she is rude and the office staff is horrible she maybe a good DR. She is not a good Dr....I had to keep reinventing the wheel because I was always coming back to see her assistants. I didn't go to see her assistants. I asked to talk to the DR and they said ""NO""... Everytime I went, I had to take another test...the SAME tests. This is the big thing, one of her office staff told me she runs so many tests and billing your insurance for payment because her and her husband want to retire. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DOCTOR!!! more

Having read all the negative reviews of Dr. Scumpia, I feel that I need to tell my story. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Thyroid Cancer in January of 2007. A very skilled surgeon, Dr. Jeffery Zapalac, removed the tumor and then referred me to Dr. Scumpia for follow-on treatment. In the four years since she has left no stone unturned when it comes to dealing with what has proven to be a very stubborn cancer. Those who call her arrogant should know that she has sent me to both another endocrinologist and to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for second opinions. Both have said that she was doing everything possible in terms of treatment. I've heard some complain that they always see her assistants and seldom see her. I've learned that when the news is good she will let one of the PA's tell me. When the news is bad she always tells me herself. So if you value the ability to hold your hand and coddle you over competence and thoroughness then by all means go see someone else. But if you have a serious problem you can't do better than Dr. Scumpia. I'm alive today because of her and Dr. Zapalac. more

I had so many bad experiences with Austin Thyroid and Endocrinology, I can't begin to even list them. Also my gynecologist, my oncologist and my family practitioner told me to be ware of this office. All they care about is taking your money and they didn't help me at all. Run as fast as you can away from this place! more

I waited an extremely long time. Dr. Scumpia gave an extensive battery of tests and then told me that nothing was wrong except that I need to take Vitamin D3 and exercise because I'm fat. Hello....I went to her because I was exercising and not losing weight and figured that something may be wrong with my thyroid. more

I have been going to this facility for over two years and here are my findings: Dr. Scumpia displays the attitude that she does not have time to listen to anything you have to say. If she does not like what you have to say, she will get up and walk out of the exam room. It is her way or the highway. Each and every time I have gone to her office, I pay my co-pay but there is always some extra charge that the insurance will either not pay or will only pay for a part of the claim, like transporting lab samples to a offsite lab for testing. There is always some extra charges. If you are a few minutes late, you are told very gruffly that you are late, but if you are one time, you will sit and wait for 30 to 45 minutes to be called to the exam room. Dr. Scumpia's fees are very high and I feel that I should be treated like a customer instead of a unwanted stray dog. Even in the Military Forces, I was not treated with this arrogance and coldness. Efficiency is one thing but this is ridiculous. more

I was referred by my cardiologist because he thought I had gained weight after menopause and might have ""metabolic syndrome"". I went to Dr. Scumpia and it was the worst experience of my life. I underwent numerous tests, including the one where I was subjected to five blood draws taken 30 minutes apart to see if I might be diabetic. I brought back my gallon of saved urine to have it tested - never was told the results. I finally insisted on talking to Dr. S. after some bitchey little PA told me I was diabetic and needed to turn myself in to their dietician for instructions. To top it off, Scumpia prescribed AVANDIA which I took for almost a year and had bad side effects from. On my own, I quit using it and started getting my glucose levels checked at an independent lab. I HAVE NEVER TESTED POSITIVE FOR DIABETES in four years - it is in the normal range. Meanwhile, Avandia has been discouraged for use in patients with heart problems, almost pulled off the market by the FDA. Thank God I never went back to that disorganized, unprofessional, money-grubbing ""practice""; I think I may have saved my own life. And, yes, the patient is definitely not the first priority there - you have to wait and wait to see a nurse or PA, let alone this august doctor. She spends all her money or TV and magazine advertising. I think she should lose her license to practice medicine. Pros: Nothing good to say Cons: Dangerous Practice more

Dr. Scumpia... my personal experience... unfair billing practices, *cold*, uncaring, *aloof*, dictatorial, sub-zero bedside manner. Doesn't listen and doesn't show any evidence of caring how the patient thinks or feels. Takes out full page ads in Austin community papers and magazines ... my advice... don't take the bait! Cons: many more

After a 30+ minute wait AGAIN, I decided that a doctor who does not value my time is not going to get another minute or another dime from me. I am obviously a lower life form than a rude doctor, so I guess I need to slither back into my slimy, dark, little hole and stay sick. The surprised girls at Dr. Scumpia's front office gave me back my $60 co-pay and a form I can use to request my records. They graciously offered to find out how much longer I would need to wait, but enough is enough. I have a life and a job, and my time is worth more than Dr. Scumpia obviously thinks. Maybe I should bill HER for 35 minutes of my time... Actually, I've called my GP and gotten a recommendation from his office in hopes of finding a doctor who is professional and polite. What a concept. Pros: highly touted as a great specialist Cons: condescending treatment more

WHAT A SAD SAD PRACTICE SHE HAS . THREE TIMES I WENT THEY TRYED TO PUT ME A DIET AND THATS NOT WHAT I WENT FOR IT AM LOSING MY HAIR I FALL ALSLEEP ALL THE TIME AND THE HAD ME GO TO TEST AFTER TEST AND I STILL DONT KNOW WHAT I HAVE I KNOW ITS THROID FROM MY WORK THAT I HAD TO READ MYSELF WHAT A SCAM MONEY HUNGRY QUACK THAT WHAT SHE IS GO IN YOUR OWN MACHINE FROM THE LOOKS OF HER SHE HAS PROBLEMS DONT I AM FILLING A LETTER FOR HER PRACTICE TO BE CHECKED OUT . BIG QUACK Pros: PARKING Cons: THE ENTIRE PRATICE more

I can't believe some of these reviews I've been reading. I've been going to Scumpia's office for almost two and half years, and I've never noticed some of the things that are being said about her office. When I first saw Dr. Scumpia I had been diagnosed with a hyper thyroid and didn't really know what to expect from a specialist. She ordered lab work right away, diagnosed me with Graves disease, and began treatment immediately. She does not sugar coat and isn't super friendly, but I wasn't looking for someone to hold my hand. I was looking for someone to help me feel better, and she did. Since I completed my treatment, I haven't seen Scumpia in a couple of years. But that is fine with me...they just check my lab work and adjust my medication as needed. Why does she need to see me for that? She was always very kind, answered all my questions to my satisfaction, and I will continue to go there. Having said that, I feel like I need mention two things that I don't like. It is true that you will have to wait awhile for your appointment. It wasn't always like this, and can really irritate me some days. My appointment will be for 9:00 but I won't actually see anyone until almost 9:45. The second thing is that I no longer get a letter or phone call notifying me if there has been any change, if any at all, to my medication. The only way I know is if I get a phone call from my pharmacy letting me I have a new prescription, or that my current one has been renewed. However, this last week I actually received a phone call from one of the nurses letting me know I had a new prescription. For now, I won't be switching doctors. Pros: Great location, lab/radiology onsite Cons: Can have a long wait time.. more

Dr. Scumpia is the worst dr. I have ever gone to. She was the rudest person in the office and the least knowledgable. She completely ignored me for the whole 5 minutes she was in the exam room and when i asked any questions regarding my results she quickly changed subjects and only insisted i get more blod work done and come back in a week to get the results. She looks like a man and is very hard to understand because she talks so fast and is so unclear. She handed her work to her assistants for them to explain and walked away, they were extremely helpful though. this place is a joke. ha ha i have thyroid cancer..ha ha.. Pros: good place to get really confused and irritated and ignored Cons: ha ha ha the list goes on...and on and on more

Dr. Scumpia first told ""I guess God wants you to be fat"" as she shrugged her sholders, next visit she says oh, I was wrong you have Hashimotos disease (autoimune disease where your body kills your thyroid) and the next visit she starts messing with my meds -- up, down, up... roller coster... never once does she explain anything she is doing - I have to research it all for myself because when I try to aske her why she is doing anything she tells me that she is the doctor and I am the patient and I just need to do as she says. About a year into the treatment she tells me she ""THINKS"" I have thyroid cancer and sends me for an ultrasound and then she does not give me any results. I call for 6 MONTHS trying to get results and NOTHING! No negitive, no positive no Nothing. When I finnaly get back in I am all of the sudden only seeing a PA and he knows NOTHING about my case and can answer no questions but he is doubling my medications which cause me to have a mild heart attack (HELLO). Enough was enough --- I fired her and her whole staff!! Pros: Radiological, Lab & office staff are all quite good Cons: Doctor is HORRID, PA's do not have a CLUE more

I had a total thyroidectomy in November. All went very smoothly and results came back NO MALIGNANCY!! I was grateful! All signs had led to Ca. Having had breast cancer already....and having researched Dr. Scumpia's findings (labs, testing), I felt she was quite justified in her diagnosis. Of all the visits I have had with this office, I have never been kept waiting for an unusually long time. I have seen the doctor all but once. I have seen techs and PAs each time also.....they help make the process more efficient. The doctor reviews the chart and lets the PA know what she needs addressed, etc, even when she is not going to visit with the patient personally. Why should the doctor have to come in and tell you lab results and changes in your dose???? Why should that information not be relayed through a PA??? The doctor makes the decision and the PA delivers the message. If I have questions the PA can't answer, she goes and asks the doctor. My only complaints...the office is chilly (what office isn't?) and they don't have any good magazines (so I bring my own entertainment). Pros: Straight talk...no fluff Cons: long distance drive more

You know its too bad when a great idea goes south. I'm sure Dr. Scumpia had a vision to provide a one stop shop facility catering to the thyroid and endocrine population. Her set up is severely flawed. People want to see a dr, not a PA. They go to a specialist because THAT is who they want to see, a ""specialist."" I was impressed on my first visit, which was incidentally the only time I saw an actual MD. She is an army of 1 and has a bunch of PA minions. I have nothing against P.A.'s. The experience and schooling between a thyroid specialist and glorified nurse is too vast, and that's just too radical for my taste. Pros: 1 building to rule them all (labs, ultrasounds etc) Cons: too many minions and not enough Specialists. plus rude staff more

Do NOT do to this office. I found them online and asked my doctor for a referral and even my dr. questioned me on if I wanted to go. It was my own fault but I thought the location was convenient. I had to do an intake with 3 different people before Dr. Scumpia even came in- and then she stayed for about 3 minutes. I spent 3 hours at my appointment just waiting- they don't value your time at all. Every time I went I saw a different PA and my levels got dangerously high- in my entire life they have never been too high. It was the most unproffesional office I have ever seen. Do not waste your time. more

Don't expect to be coddled. Dr Scumpia is not there to hold your hand and swap stories about the kids. She is there to assess and treat your symptoms/disease. She is professional and knowledgeable. She has techs to get vitals and ask preliminary questions. She has PAs to assess in more detail and to relay her assessment and review of your chart. Dr Scumpia does the initial evaluation and intermittent ones as needed. If you don't ask questions, she doesn't know you have any. She will answer any questions you have in a very matter of fact way. She does not sugar coat anything. I find all of this to be GOOD! I appreciated that she was straight forward in telling me she believed I had cancer. Pros: Straight forward approach Cons: 74 miles from my home more

I must say that I wish wish wish that I had read the reviews here before seeing this doctor! First, I talked with a great assistant about my symptoms, test results, etc while I waited to see Dr Scumpia. The woman was very thorough and friendly. Following this, I was sent to do labwork and come back in a MONTH to see Dr Scumpia again. Yes, I was not critically ill, but still....what a waste of time and money. When I went back in. I saw the good doctor for five minutes and received no answers at all except to wait it out. Pros: The office staff is nice Cons: Dr. Scumpia, they never return calls, location more

I have been a patient for almost 2 years now and have been several times. I was only seen by Dr. Scumpia on my first appointment and only for about 5 minutes. Since then I have never seen the same PA twice. Although they are nice, they all recommend different treatments and I leave the office even more confused. Then there is the wait, EVERY appointment I have ever had there has been a nightmare wait. The shortest wait has still been in excess of 45 mintues to even get into the exam room. Then you wait for the PA, then the checkout, labs, etc. This is a practice that books too many patients in each time block and obiviously is in it for the money. Pros: Easy parking, friendly office staff Cons: The medical staff, Dr. Scumpia more