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Bottom line, it can be maddening to find a GOOD DOCTOR when it comes to correct thyroid care. Patients have found that correct thyroid diagnosis and treatment has nothing to do with the TSH, total T4, or any T4-only medications like Synthroid or Levothyroxine. And most doctors simply don’t get it, and that’s why so many thyroid patients have stated they feel forced to self-treat. But it can be wise to do what it takes to find a good doctor to work with.
So what’s a GOOD DOC? He/She is one who willingly prescribes natural desiccated thyroid, uses the labs free T3 and free T4, and is willing to let you dose by the elimination of symptoms rather than the inadequate TSH. A bonus is one who understands what we have learned about adrenal insufficiency and how to treat it. But having a doctor with enough knowledge of adrenal issues may be difficult, and why it’s important that you walk in the doctor’s office informed. The STTM book has even more details which you can refer to right in the doctor’s office.
But where are they? Read everything below before using the suggestions. These are in no particular order.
And BEWARE: no matter how good a doctor sounds, it’s very important that you go in there informed. This site, and even more so the STTM book, will help you do so. In fact, having the book right with you, with bookmarks, can be powerful for you, and send a message to the doctor that you mean business. One patients states that she found a doctor who said she prescribes desiccated thyroid like Naturethroid and tests the frees. But the same doctor stated casually “Desiccated thyroid is hard to regulate” as a way to discourage the patient. But this patient had read this site and the book, knew it was not “hard to regulate”, quoted from it, and insisted that she wanted Naturethroid…and she got it. 
1) First, you can try the Armour website where you can type in your zip code and find a physician who states they prescribe Armour. But be careful. We’ve already had a gal go to a doc from this list, and the doc stated “I am Armour friendly, but not Armour ecstatic.” In other words, being able to raise her Armour was like pulling teeth. Again, call and ask the above. I obtained my first doctor from this list, and did get on Armour, but she knew NOTHING else, and I had to find a better one. (A word of caution: Armour was reformulated in 2009, and patients are reporting their hypothyroid symptoms are coming back with a vengeance. As a result, many are now switched to a good other brand like Naturethroid.)
2) Another great option is to approach the Pharmacist (NOT the employees) at a large pharmacy, and ask who tends to prescribe desiccated thyroid. Most Pharmacists are friendly and will let you know. Don’t hesitate to go to more than one Pharmacy. To strike Bingo, see if there is a Compounding Pharmacy nearby or check your Yellow Pages for one, or go to Google and type in your city and “compounding pharmacy”. Doctors who use Compounding Pharmacies tend to prescribe desiccated thyroid!
3) Or, go to the American College for the Advancement for Medicine where you might find doctors with a good knowledge of desiccated thyroid.
4) Also, email here: info@BrodaBarnes.org and see if they can help you find a Broda Barnes doctor in your area. Broda Barnes doctors understand the importance of using desiccated thyroid in treatment! Downside: you may be asked to pay for a list for your area.
5) Or, you can check out Osteopaths, also called DO’s, here. They can be overall more open minded. BUT, you’ll have to call and find out if they are a GOOD DOC.
6) A doctor who uses saliva labs may be a doc more open-minded about desiccated thyroid, and perhaps even cortisol. Diagnos-Tech, a lab for saliva (but not one we recommend–they seem to have gone downhill in quality as of 2009), has a list of docs who use their lab: http://www.diagnostechs.com/main.htm You type in a zipcode. Again, don’t stop. Call and ask the questions above of any doc you find. (Thanks to Harbormom for bringing this to my attention!)
7) Or join a patient group, and in the subject line of your post, ask for a doctor recommendation in such-and-such town.
Doctors who are board certified in Environmental Medicine tend to be those who would prescribe desiccated thyroid and understand adrenal fatigue, says a doctor who emailed me in April, 2009.
Finally, if you do find a doctor that seems good, you can send him/her a letter that explains who you are and what you want. Or you can use it to know what to say at the first appointment.
And remember: there is no perfect doctor, and they don’t know “everything”. You have to be your own best advocate and knowledgeable. Read this site and take notes, or even better, take the STTM book with you. Doctors tend to respect books and poo-poo references to websites. Learn what we have found that works, and what does not work! Become very familiar with the chapter concerning mistakes patients make, called The Ten Biggies. Understand that you have to stop giving all your power to the man or woman in the white coat. It’s your body, and what you seek is teamwork.
Want to order your own labwork?? STTM has created the right ones just for you to discuss with your doctor. Go here: https://sttm.mymedlab.com/
